Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) Program

The State Personnel Development Grants program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. This federal initiative is authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and is designed to support systemic improvements in how states prepare and develop personnel serving children with disabilities. The program focuses on strengthening early intervention, educational, and transition services by enhancing workforce capacity and aligning professional development systems with federal and state education priorities. The primary purpose of the program is to assist State educational agencies in reforming and improving personnel preparation and professional development systems. These improvements are intended to yield better outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. The program emphasizes alignment with IDEA requirements, as well as coordination with broader state education systems under laws such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. A key priority for this funding cycle is expanding career pathways and workforce readiness, particularly through registered apprenticeship models that support educator certification and reduce barriers to entering the profession. Funding supports a wide range of allowable activities tied to a state’s personnel development plan. These include professional development programs for teachers and administrators, initiatives to recruit and retain qualified personnel, integration of technology into instruction, and training in evidence-based practices. Funds must primarily be used for professional development activities, with at least ninety percent allocated to those efforts and no more than ten percent for other system-level improvements such as certification reform or workforce pipeline development. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, and administrative costs must remain reasonable and compliant with federal cost principles. Eligibility is limited to State educational agencies from the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and designated outlying areas. Applicants must submit a comprehensive State Personnel Development Plan that outlines needs, strategies, partnerships, and evaluation approaches. Required partnerships include local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other state agencies involved in services for children with disabilities. Applications must demonstrate alignment with state and federal plans, include a logic model, and provide assurances regarding data collection, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and adherence to federal registration requirements, including active accounts in SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Applicants must complete standard federal forms, a detailed project narrative, a budget and budget justification, and supporting documentation such as resumes and partnership agreements. Applications are evaluated based on significance, quality of design, adequacy of resources, management plan, and evaluation strategy. Peer reviewers assess proposals using established federal criteria, and final funding decisions may consider additional factors such as past performance. For the current funding cycle, applications became available on April 15, 2026, and must be submitted by June 16, 2026. The project period may range from one to five years, depending on the proposed activities and funding decisions. Estimated total program funding is approximately 7.3 million dollars, with individual awards generally ranging from 500,000 to over 2 million dollars per year depending on state size and proposal quality. Awards are competitive, and only a limited number of grants are expected to be issued. Program staff provide support through a designated contact, and applicants may request accessible formats or clarification as needed during the application process.

Ensure strong alignment with IDEA and state education plans; prioritize workforce development and apprenticeship models; demonstrate measurable outcomes and strong evaluation design; include robust partnerships and data-driven needs assessment