OSERS: OSEP: Technical Assistance on State Data Collection--National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Data to Address Significant Disproportionality, Assistance Listing Number 84 | ED GRANTS 072623 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 072623 002

This funding opportunity comes from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). It supports the creation and operation of a National Technical Assistance (TA) Center focused on strengthening how States collect, report, analyze, and use data required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), especially data connected to significant disproportionality. The core aim is practical capacity-building: helping State education agencies and other responsible entities produce IDEA data that are accurate, consistent, timely, and usable for both federal reporting and real decision-making that improves outcomes for children with disabilities.

At the program level, this initiative sits under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The legal authority comes primarily from IDEA section 611(c)(1), which allows the Secretary of Education to reserve a small portion of Part B funds each year (up to one-half of one percent, with a cumulative inflation-adjusted cap referenced as $25,000,000) to fund technical assistance that improves State capacity to meet IDEA data requirements under Parts B and C. IDEA section 616(i) also plays a major role: it requires the Department to review State capacity for collecting and analyzing the data needed to implement IDEA accountability and oversight, and to provide technical assistance when States need it. In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328) explicitly reinforces that reserved IDEA funds may be used to administer services and activities that improve data collection, coordination, quality, and use under IDEA Parts B and C. In other words, the grant is grounded in both IDEA and appropriations language that prioritizes strong, trustworthy data systems and better use of data.

The award is structured as a discretionary, competitive grant using a cooperative agreement, which typically means the Department expects to be substantially involved in the project in ways beyond routine grant monitoring (for example, collaboration on project direction, deliverables, or national coordination). The Assistance Listing Number is 84.373EB, and the funding opportunity number is ED GRANTS 072623 002. The opportunity anticipated a single award (Expected Awards: 1), with an award ceiling of $1,500,000. The project is framed as a national center, so the recipient would be expected to provide technical assistance broadly across States rather than serving only one region or a limited set of districts.

While the synopsis does not list detailed activities or priorities, the title and purpose make the focus clear: improving State capacity to handle IDEA data in ways that support compliance and better outcomes, with a specific emphasis on significant disproportionality. In IDEA contexts, significant disproportionality generally relates to whether students from certain racial or ethnic groups are identified for special education, placed in particular educational settings, or disciplined (such as suspensions and expulsions) at rates that are meaningfully different from their peers, beyond what would be expected. Addressing this requires States to have high-quality data definitions, reliable collection practices, strong validation procedures, and the analytic ability to interpret patterns correctly. A TA center funded through this opportunity would generally be expected to help States improve data quality (accuracy, completeness, and consistency), improve data governance and coordination across agencies and programs, strengthen analytic methods and interpretation, and support practical use of data for program improvement and compliance actions tied to IDEA accountability and reporting.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of entities that could credibly run a national TA center. Eligible applicants include State, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), plus others as clarified in the official notice. This wide eligibility is typical for national technical assistance centers because the work often requires a blend of research expertise, implementation experience, training and professional learning capacity, and the operational ability to deliver support at scale.

Key dates listed in the synopsis indicate applications became available on July 26, 2023, with a deadline for transmittal of applications of September 11, 2023. OSERS also planned to post pre-recorded informational webinars no later than July 31, 2023, with links provided through the Department’s OSEP grants page. The summary also points applicants to the Department’s Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 7, 2022) for standard application submission and procedural requirements, and emphasizes that the Federal Register notice is the authoritative source for priorities, performance measures, application formatting, submission rules, and other required elements.

For applicants or stakeholders seeking more specifics, the synopsis provides a federal program contact: Richelle Davis at the U.S. Department of Education (400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5076, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5076), phone 202-245-7401, email Richelle.Davis@ed.gov. The practical takeaway is that this grant was designed to fund one national center to help States build stronger IDEA data systems and practices, with particular attention to the data demands and policy consequences associated with significant disproportionality determinations.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OSERS: OSEP: Technical Assistance on State Data Collection--National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Data to Address Significant Disproportionality, Assistance Listing Number 84" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.373.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 26, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 11, 2023 Applications Available July 26, 2023. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications September 11, 2023. Pre-Application Webinar Information No later than July 31, 2023), the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services will post details on pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants. Links to the webinars may be found at https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/new-osep-grants.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Richelle Davis, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, room 5076, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone 202-245-7401. Email Richelle.Davis@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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for ED GRANTS 072623 002

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: