OSERS-OSEP: Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Personnel at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Other Minority Serving Institutions, ALN 84.325M

Background
The Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2025 under the program aimed at improving services and results for children with disabilities.

The purpose of this program is to address state-identified needs for personnel preparation in special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education to work with children, including infants, toddlers, and youth with disabilities. The program aims to ensure that personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge derived from scientifically based research to effectively serve these children. This grant specifically targets Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Grant Details
The grant will support projects that prepare special education, early intervention, and related services personnel at various educational levels (bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist degree, or clinical doctoral degree) to serve in diverse settings including natural environments, early learning programs, child care facilities, classrooms, and schools.

The focus is on increasing the number of personnel from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds as well as those who are multilingual. Projects may include enhancing existing programs or developing new areas of emphasis within the curriculum. Applicants must demonstrate how their projects will address identified needs for personnel preparation in high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools serving high percentages of low-income families. The projects should also promote inclusive practices that reflect current evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for children with disabilities.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include HBCUs, TCCUs, and other MSIs that prepare special education personnel. Applications are encouraged from institutions that can demonstrate a commitment to increasing diversity among scholars in special education fields.

Applicants must also show how they will recruit scholars from underrepresented groups.

Period of Performance
The project period may be up to 60 months. Applicants can use the first 12 months for planning activities with a budget of up to $100,000.

Grant Value
The total estimated cost for the grant is $48.2 million. Individual awards may vary based on project scope but should align with the funding categories specified in the application.

Place of Performance
The grant activities are expected to take place at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and other Minority Serving Institutions across the United States.