Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER): Transformative Research in Special Education, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324T
FY 2027 Phase 1 grants support research to transform preservice teacher education, helping attract, train, and retain preK-12 teachers prepared to improve outcomes for students with or at risk for disabilities.
Funder: Department of Education
Due Dates: October 29, 2026 (Optional letter of intent) | December 11, 2026 (Application)
Funding Amounts: Phase 1: up to $3,750,000 over 3 years, capped at $1,250,000 annually
Summary: Supports transformative research and development to improve preservice teacher education systems and outcomes for students with or at risk for disabilities.
Key Information: Cost sharing of at least 5% of total federal funding and co-design partners must be secured by the end of Year 1.
Description
The National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER), within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), runs this program as part of the Accelerate, Transform, and Scale Initiative. It supports bold, innovative, high-risk research and development using high-quality research approaches to create scalable solutions to longstanding special education challenges.
The FY 2027 competition funds Phase 1 projects focused on transforming preservice teacher education systems to better attract, train, and retain preK–12 general and special education teachers. The goal is to prepare teachers to deliver high-quality instruction and substantially improve outcomes for students with or at risk for disabilities. Projects develop solutions and project-specific deliverables and metrics, with the possibility of a separate Phase 2 application following successful completion of Phase 1 objectives.
