Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER): Transformative Research in Special Education, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324T
Funds high-risk, high-reward research and development projects to create scalable solutions that improve preservice teacher education systems for preparing general and special education teachers for students with or at risk for disabilities.
⚑ High-risk/high-reward transformative research; Phase 1 in FY 2027 focuses specifically on preservice teacher education systems. · Applicants must have the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research.
This is a strong education-policy applied-research fit, especially because the call targets preservice teacher education systems, workforce attraction/retention, and scalable program evaluation rather than pedagogy itself. It aligns best with Deven Carlson’s education policy/evaluation line, with David Hogg potentially contributing on intervention and workforce-program evaluation, though it is not squarely anyone’s core disability-special education program.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-10-17
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| IPPRA | 100 strong | education policy/evaluation (core line, primary); signature methods: policy analysis, community engaged; social/behavioral work is central; funds applied research |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 55 good | technical depth: minor; funds applied research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 20 weak | funds applied research |
Description
Through the Transformative Research in Special Education Grants program, IES seeks to support research and development of transformative solutions to seemingly intractable problems and challenges in special education. Transformative projects enact bold and innovative thinking, involve interdisciplinary collaboration, are inherently risky, and use high-quality research approaches to create high-reward, scalable solutions with the potential to lead to dramatic improvements for students with or at risk for disabilities.
In FY 2027, the Transformative Research in Special Education Grants program will focus on Phase 1 grants to research and develop transformative solutions to dramatically improve preservice teacher education systems so they can better attract, train, and retain preK-12 general and special education teachers who are prepared to provide high-quality instruction and substantially improve outcomes for students with or at risk for disabilities.
Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.324T
Eligibility
Institutions that have the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, institutions of higher education and non-profit, for-profit, public, or private organizations and entities.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Holly Clark Management and Program Analyst <Courtney.Pollack@ed.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Federal (generic) conventions SEE A FEDERAL EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Federal (generic)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.