OSERS-OSEP: Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Personnel

The Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Personnel program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education under the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. This federal discretionary grant program is authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and is designed to address critical workforce shortages in special education and related services. The program focuses on increasing the number of qualified personnel who are prepared through evidence-based training to serve children with disabilities across a range of settings, including schools, early childhood programs, and community-based environments. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to support institutions and organizations that prepare scholars for careers in special education, early intervention, and related services fields. Funded projects must utilize evidence-based strategies to train individuals at various academic levels, including bachelor’s, certification, master’s, educational specialist, and clinical doctoral programs. These scholars are expected to gain competencies that enable them to deliver effective instruction and services to children with disabilities, improving outcomes such as literacy, mathematics achievement, and overall developmental progress. Funding is structured as discretionary grants with a maximum award of 1,250,000 dollars per project over a project period of up to 60 months, with a limit of 350,000 dollars per year. The program has an estimated total funding pool of 8,750,000 dollars and anticipates making approximately 35 awards. At least 70 percent of the total award must be used for scholar support, including tuition, stipends, and other educational expenses. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, and indirect costs are capped under a training rate formula. Applicants may also allocate limited funds during the first year for program development activities. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education and private nonprofit organizations that operate or partner with qualifying degree or certification programs. These programs must prepare scholars to meet state or national licensure requirements and to work directly with children with disabilities. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to recruit and retain scholars, provide high-quality coursework and clinical experiences, and ensure scholars complete their programs within the grant period. Applications must include detailed narratives addressing significance, project design, management, resources, and evaluation, along with required forms, budgets, and supporting documentation. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov, with prior registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov systems. Applications opened on May 13, 2026, and must be submitted by July 2, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to begin registration early due to processing timelines. The review process includes eligibility screening and peer review based on established selection criteria, with a maximum score of 100 points. Additional competitive preference points may be awarded to historically Black colleges and universities, tribally controlled colleges, and new potential grantees. Projects funded under this program must comply with federal regulations and reporting requirements, including annual performance reporting and tracking of scholar outcomes. Grantees are expected to collect data on program effectiveness, scholar completion rates, and employment outcomes. The program is expected to operate on a recurring annual cycle, contingent on federal appropriations. Contact for program inquiries is provided through the Department of Education, with a designated program officer available via email and phone for applicant support.

Align proposal with state workforce shortages; emphasize evidence-based training; clearly demonstrate scholar recruitment and completion strategy; ensure at least 70 percent of budget supports scholars