Federal Education Grants

Reissue of RFA-MH-20-128 This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications to develop standards that describe experimental protocols that are being conducted as part of the BRAIN Initiative. It is expected that applications will solicit community input at all stages of the process. It is recommended that the first step of standard development will involve sharing data between different key groups in the experimental community in order to ensure that the developing standard will cover the way that all of those groups are collecting data. The developed standard is expected to be made widely available.

This program provides funding to state educational agencies to improve and innovate assessment systems that measure student achievement and growth in elementary and secondary schools.

This grant provides funding to local Tanzanian organizations to improve foundational literacy and numeracy for students in grades 1 to 5 through a targeted instruction approach that focuses on individual learning levels.

This funding opportunity supports higher education institutions in training researchers with advanced degrees to improve community living and participation for individuals with disabilities.

Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of States Embassy Ashgabat announces an open competition to implement a program focused on building the capacity of higher educational institutions in Turkmenistan to carry out short- and long-term bilateral exchanges, offer dual-degree programs, conduct and commercialize research, obtain international accreditation, and other activities directed at supporting ongoing educational reform in Turkmenistan. The ultimate goal of the projects is to enable Turkmenistan to become an active member of the global education community, and a viable partner in international exchanges, with an eventual opening of a U.S. branch university in Turkmenistan. The initial timeline for these activities is one year, with the possibility of extension. Please follow all instructions below. Background: Turkmenistan is a post-Soviet state of roughly 5 million people (official statistic) that gained its independence in 1991. The Ministry of Education oversees all educational institutions from kindergarten to university. Turkmenistan has implemented several educational reforms within the last 10-15 years, mostly introducing new subjects to schools and universities (such as those from the STEM field), increasing the use of technology in teaching (such as smartboards and laptops) and adapting textbooks and materials to make them fit better within Turkmenistans context. However, the centralized structure of the education system has not changed significantly, with universities continuing to offer highly structured five-year specialist degrees that fall somewhere between bachelors and masters degrees on the western scale. Under the current system, students play a limited role in crafting their own educational process and/or degree. When students matriculate to university, they do so by declaring their chosen specialization. In fact, they dont apply to the university as a whole; they apply to a specific department. Once accepted, they have no option to drop classes or switch majors. Students also do not choose which classes to take a specific major has a set list of classes. These rules severely limit students academic opportunities and affect future professional opportunities. In the last few years, the Ministry of Education has stated its intention modernize Turkmenistans education system, which include several stated priorities: a) Launching a dual degree program together with a U.S. university (bachelors or masters); b) Obtaining international accreditation; c) Establishing a branch of a U.S. university in its capital, Ashgabat; d) Gradually moving all universities to the Western, credit-based system. Turkmenistans government is very eager to begin work on these goals and is interested in assistance from U.S. universities in providing expertise and guidance on conducting these large-scale overhauls. The Public Diplomacy Section has worked closely with the Ministry of Education to develop a road map to bring Turkmenistans education system closer to the U.S. model, as well as signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of Turkmenistan on cooperation in the education sector. The MOU and the road map lay out concrete steps, including inviting U.S. experts on internationalization and education reform, and are some of the first actions that Embassy has taken, together with the Ministry of Education, to help Turkmenistan reach its stated goals. Through the projects described in this NOFO, the Embassy would like to develop a realistic road map to overhaul the education system, bringing it closer to Western standards and accreditation, and eventual establishment of a U.S. university branch campus in the capital city of Ashgabat. The initial project duration is one year, but will most likely be extended, as the envisioned task is multi-pronged and will likely require more than 12 months. Project Audience(s): Turkmenistans higher education institutions (HEIs), including universities and institutes, as well as the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan Project Goal: Improve access to quality higher education opportunities in Turkmenistan through adoption of best practices by Turkmen higher education institutions Project Objectives: Objective 1: Increase understanding of internationalization requirements for universities, the U.S. education system, and best practices among Ministry of Education officials and higher education representatives through training, workshops, and/or short-term exchanges to the United States. o Topics may include: how to establish dual degree and joint degree programs, accreditation requirements, opening branch campuses, etc. Objective 2: Conduct a general analysis of Turkmenistans education system and create a road map that provides clear recommendations to the Ministry of Education on the practical steps needed to advance educational reforms. Objective 3: Establish a working group of Turkmen Ministry of Education officials and higher education representatives to facilitate collaboration and implementation of recommendations aimed at modernizing and internationalizing the higher education system in Turkmenistan.

This funding opportunity provides resources to educational organizations and agencies to improve student outcomes and enhance instructional quality through targeted technical assistance and capacity-building services.

This funding opportunity supports alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Namibia to implement innovative projects that promote social change in their communities.

Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022. Purpose of Program: In awarding research grants, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) education outcomes for all learners from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (2) employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). The IES research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners. These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. Competitions in This Notice: The IES National Center for Education Research (NCER) is announcing two competitions--one competition in each of the following areas: using longitudinal data to support State education policymaking and transformative research in the education sciences. Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking (ALN 84.305S). Under this competition, NCER will only consider applications that address State agencies use of their States education longitudinal data systems to identify and reduce opportunity and achievement gaps for learners from prekindergarten through adult education. Transformative Research in the Education Sciences (ALN 84.305T). Through this program, IES seeks to support innovative research that has the potential to make dramatic advances towards solving seemingly intractable problems and challenges in the education field and/or to accelerate the pace of conducting education research to facilitate major breakthroughs. For the FY 2025 competition, the Transformative Research in the Education Sciences grant program will focus on accelerating learning and reducing persistent education inequities by leveraging evidence-based principles from the learning sciences, coupled with advanced technology to create high-reward, scalable technology solutions. Multiple Submissions: You may submit applications to more than one of the FY 2025 research grant programs offered through the Department, including those offered through IES as well as those offered through other offices and programs within the Department. You may submit multiple applications to each IES grant program announced here as long as they address different key issues, programs, or policies. However, you may submit a given application only once for the IES FY 2025 grant competitions, meaning you may not submit the same application or similar applications to multiple grant programs within IES, to multiple topics within a grant competition, or multiple times within the same topic. If you submit multiple similar applications, IES will determine whether and which applications will be accepted for review and/or will be eligible for funding. In addition, if you submit the same or similar application to IES and to another funding entity within or external to the Department and receive funding for the non-IES application prior to IES scientific peer review of applications, you must withdraw the same or similar application submitted to IES, or IES may otherwise determine you are ineligible to receive an award. If reviews are happening concurrently, IES staff will consult with the other potential funder to determine the degree of overlap and which entity will provide funding if both applications are being considered for funding. Exemption from Proposed Rulemaking: Under section 191 of the Education Sciences Reform Act, 20 U.S.C. 9581, IES is not subject to section 437(d) of the General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d), and is therefore not required to offer interested parties the opportunity to comment on matters relating to grants. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq. Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305T.

This funding opportunity supports researchers exploring the use of microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses, to develop innovative methods for cancer imaging, diagnosis, and treatment.

This grant provides funding for junior faculty members to develop their research careers in women's health through mentorship and interdisciplinary studies, including opportunities to lead or participate in clinical trials.

The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network for Biologics (BPN-Biologics) provides support for biologic-based therapeutic discovery and development, from lead optimization through phase I clinical testing. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) supports preclinical discovery and development of potential therapeutic Biotechnology Products and Biologics including, but not limited to, large biologic macromolecules, (e.g., proteins, antibodies, and peptides), gene-based therapies (i.e., oligonucleotide- and viral-based), cell therapies, and novel emerging therapies (e.g., microbial and microbiome therapies). Applicants will collaborate with NIH-funded consultants and can augment their project with NIH contract research organizations (CROs) that specialize in manufacturing, scaling, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and Phase I clinical testing. BPN-Biologics awardee institutions retain their assignment of IP rights and gain assignment of IP rights from the BPN-Biologics contractors (and thereby control the patent prosecution and licensing negotiations) for biotherapeutic candidates developed in this program.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Tribal Colleges and Universities for planning initiatives that transition their campuses to clean energy solutions.

This funding opportunity supports creative projects that promote engagement, education, and collaboration between the United States and the communities of Mauritius and Seychelles.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. universities for advanced nuclear energy research projects that build on existing work, with an emphasis on collaboration and undergraduate involvement.

This funding opportunity supports alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Equatorial Guinea to implement community projects that address global challenges, focusing on areas like sustainable tourism, agriculture, and biodiversity.

This funding opportunity supports researchers in developing and testing innovative devices for diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system through small clinical studies and safety assessments.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to four selected universities and colleges to enhance cybersecurity education and workforce development initiatives, aiming to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity workforce.

This grant provides funding for researchers to explore how diet and lipid metabolism influence tumor growth and progression, encouraging innovative studies that connect nutrition science with cancer biology.

This grant provides funding for small-scale cancer research projects that can be completed in two years, aimed at supporting innovative studies and methodologies in various areas of cancer research.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for teams of alumni from U.S. government-funded exchange programs to implement community-focused projects that promote public service and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.