Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center on Education Research (NCER): From Seedlings to Scale, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305J
For FY 2027, the Institute of Education Sciences funds Phase One projects developing and testing AI- and technology-enabled solutions to integrate evidence into prekindergarten–grade 12 education systems.
Funder: Department of Education
Due Dates: October 29, 2026 (Optional letter of intent) | December 11, 2026 (Application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $500,000 for up to one year
Summary: Supports early-stage AI- and technology-enabled solutions that help PreK–12 education systems translate evidence into policy and practice.
Key Information: FY 2027 applications are limited to C-STEP Phase One, with solutions relevant to U.S. education systems.
Description
The Institute of Education Sciences’ National Center for Education Research administers From Seedlings to Scale through its Accelerate, Transform, and Scale Initiative. The FY 2027 competition supports C-STEP—Coordinating Systems to Translate Evidence into Policy and Practice—Phase One projects. It seeks innovative AI- and technology-enabled solutions that help education leaders integrate evidence-based products, processes, and policies to improve prekindergarten through grade 12 student outcomes.
Phase One supports stakeholder engagement, problem definition, refinement of a theory of change, and early-stage prototyping rather than development of a fully functioning solution. IES prioritizes comprehensive, systems-level approaches grounded in research on complex systems and organizational change. Proposed solutions should address root causes of implementation failure and help leaders align resources, anticipate impacts, and overcome barriers to implementing and scaling evidence-based practices.
