OSERS-OSEP: Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs Assistance Listing Number 84.325K Focus Area A | ED GRANTS 041321 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 041321 001

OSERS-OSEP Assistance Listing 84.325K, Focus Area A, is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education aimed at strengthening the pipeline of well-prepared personnel who serve children with disabilities who have high-intensity needs. The program sits within the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and emphasizes interdisciplinary preparation, meaning applicants are expected to think beyond a single profession or role and instead design training that helps multiple types of educators and service providers work together effectively. The overarching goal is to build a workforce that can meet needs identified by states and ensure that people entering or advancing in the field have skills grounded in scientifically based research and proven practices.

The stated purpose of the program has two main parts. First, it is intended to help address state-identified shortages and preparation needs across special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education, spanning the full age range from infants and toddlers through school-age youth. Second, it is designed to ensure that personnel have the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful with children with disabilities, particularly those with significant and complex support needs, by emphasizing practices supported by research. In practical terms, proposals under Focus Area A would generally be expected to produce training models, course sequences, clinical experiences, and partnerships that result in graduates or trainees who can competently serve children with high-intensity needs and collaborate across disciplines and settings.

In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) organizations and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as specified), and other eligible entities as clarified in the official notice. This mix of eligible applicants signals that OSEP is open to different organizational approaches, such as university-based preparation programs, nonprofit-led training initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, as long as the proposed work aligns with the program purpose and any specific requirements laid out in the Federal Register notice.

This opportunity was posted with an applications available date of April 13, 2021, and a deadline for transmittal of applications of June 22, 2021, with an intergovernmental review deadline of August 23, 2021. OSEP also offered a pre-application informational webinar specific to 84.325K on April 26, 2021, and indicated that a recording would be posted shortly afterward on the Department of Education website hosting new OSEP grant information. For applicants, these webinars typically provide practical guidance about interpreting the notice, aligning to priorities, and avoiding common compliance errors in submission.

Funding details listed for Focus Area A include an award ceiling of $250,000 and an expectation of 16 awards. Because it is a discretionary grant program, applications are competitively reviewed, and the Department emphasizes that the synopsis is not a substitute for the official Federal Register notice. Applicants are directed to follow the Department of Education Common Instructions for Applicants to Discretionary Grant Programs (referenced from a February 13, 2019 Federal Register publication) for submission requirements, formatting, and procedural rules, along with the specific application notice for this competition for elements such as priorities, selection criteria, performance measures, and any absolute or competitive preference priorities that may shape what a strong proposal looks like.

Finally, the program provides a direct point of contact for Focus Area A: Sunyoung Ahn at the U.S. Department of Education, including phone and email contact information. The notice repeatedly stresses that the Federal Register version is the controlling document for official requirements, so anyone preparing an application would need to rely on that source for definitive instructions on eligibility nuances, required project components, reporting and evaluation expectations, and how OSEP will measure project performance and outcomes.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OSERS-OSEP: Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs Assistance Listing Number 84.325K Focus Area A" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.325.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 13, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 22, 2021 Applications Available April 13, 2021. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications June 22, 2021. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review August 23, 2021. Pre-Application Webinar Information The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) will conduct a pre-application informational webinar specific to 84.325K on April 26, 2021, at 200 p.m., Eastern time. A recording of the webinar will be available at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/new-osep-grants.html within five days after the pre-application webinar. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT For Focus Area A Sunyoung Ahn, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 5012A, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone (202) 245-6460. Email Sunyoung.Ahn@ed.gov.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 16 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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