Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Innovation and Early Learning Programs: Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program Expansion Grants Assistance Listing Number 84.411A
This grant funds the expansion of evidence-based, innovative education projects to improve achievement for high-need students in elementary and secondary schools.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
Department of Education has archived this opportunity.
Funder: U.S. Department of Education - Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Due Dates: September 12, 2025 (Applications Open) | October 14, 2025 (Application Deadline) | December 11, 2025 (Intergovernmental Review)
Funding Amounts: Up to $15,000,000 per award (project period up to 60 months); estimated total program funding: $253,000,000; 4–8 awards expected.
Summary: Supports national-scale, evidence-based innovations to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students, with a focus on literacy.
Key Information: 10% matching funds required (may be waived in exceptional cases).
Description
This opportunity, offered by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), provides Expansion Grants under the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program. The EIR Expansion Grants support the implementation and rigorous evaluation of entrepreneurial, evidence-based, field-initiated innovations designed to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students. The 2025 competition places an absolute priority on projects that promote evidence-based literacy instruction, especially those that can be scaled nationally and demonstrate strong prior evidence of effectiveness.
Expansion grants are intended for projects that have demonstrated significant positive impacts and are ready to scale to the national level. Projects should include robust evaluation plans and focus on sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Competitive preference priorities include:
- Returning Education to the States: Elevating State- and Tribal-led efforts (up to 10 additional points).
- Expanding Education Choice (High-Impact Tutoring): Expanding access to services that accelerate learning, such as high-impact tutoring (up to 5 additional points).
