OSERS-OSEP: National Technical Assistance Center for Postsecondary Education and Training for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

The U.S. Department of Education, through its Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), is offering funding to establish a National Technical Assistance Center for Postsecondary Education and Training for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. This initiative is authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates the allocation of at least $4,000,000 annually to address the educational and training needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing beyond the secondary level. The program aligns with federal priorities to improve access, outcomes, and support systems for individuals with disabilities transitioning into postsecondary education and workforce environments. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to create and operate a national center that provides technical assistance, dissemination of best practices, and support services to improve postsecondary, vocational, technical, continuing, and adult education outcomes for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The center is expected to serve a broad national audience, including educational institutions, workforce training providers, and other stakeholders involved in supporting this population. Funding is drawn from three federal programs: Technical Assistance and Dissemination (TA&D), Personnel Development (PD), and Educational Technology, Media, and Materials (ETechM2), indicating a comprehensive approach to improving services and educational results. The funding is structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement between the Department of Education and the recipient. The total program funding is $4,000,000, with one anticipated award, suggesting a single grantee will be responsible for nationwide implementation. Allowable uses of funds include activities related to technical assistance delivery, development of educational resources, dissemination of research and best practices, and support for capacity building among institutions serving individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. No cost-sharing or matching requirement is specified, which reduces financial barriers for applicants. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing state educational agencies, local educational agencies including public charter schools, institutions of higher education, other public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, freely associated states and outlying areas, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, and for-profit organizations. This wide eligibility scope reflects the national scale and multidisciplinary nature of the initiative. Applicants must comply with the Department of Education’s 2025 Common Instructions for Discretionary Grant Programs, which outline standard requirements for submission, formatting, and compliance. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov, beginning June 1, 2026, with a final application deadline of July 30, 2026. There is no indication of a pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent. Additionally, applicants must consider the intergovernmental review deadline of September 28, 2026, which applies to applicable entities under Executive Order 12372. Contact for further information is provided through a designated program officer, Eric Caruso, who can be reached via phone or email for clarification or technical assistance. Evaluation of applications will follow Department of Education discretionary grant review processes, which typically include criteria such as significance, quality of project design, adequacy of resources, and quality of management plan. While specific scoring criteria are not detailed in the provided summary, applicants should anticipate a competitive review process given the single award structure. Award notification timelines are not explicitly stated but are typically expected following the review period and intergovernmental review process. This funding opportunity does not explicitly state recurrence, and given its structure and federal appropriations context, it may be issued periodically depending on legislative requirements and program needs. The performance period is not specified in the summary but is likely multi-year given the scope of establishing and operating a national center. Applicants should prepare for a comprehensive proposal that demonstrates capacity to operate at a national scale and deliver measurable improvements in postsecondary outcomes for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Align proposal with IDEA requirements and demonstrate national capacity for technical assistance delivery