OSERS: OSEP: Absolute Priority 1 Focus B (School Age) Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs, ALN 84.325K-2 | ED GRANTS 020422 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 020422 002

This grant opportunity comes from the U.S. Department of Education, within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). It is a discretionary grant competition under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.325K-2, titled "Absolute Priority 1, Focus Area B (School Age): Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs." In practical terms, the competition is aimed at strengthening how schools and related systems prepare professionals to serve school-age children with disabilities who require more intensive, specialized, and coordinated supports.

The core purpose of the program is twofold. First, it is designed to help address state-identified needs for personnel preparation across special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education. This is about workforce capacity: states continue to report shortages and preparation gaps, especially for staff who can effectively support students with complex profiles and significant support needs. Second, the program emphasizes quality and effectiveness of training by requiring that personnel develop skills and knowledge grounded in scientifically based research. The intent is not just to produce more personnel, but to ensure they are trained in practices that are backed by evidence and are likely to improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities.

A key feature of this particular priority and focus area is the emphasis on interdisciplinary preparation for personnel working with school-age children with high-intensity needs. Interdisciplinary preparation typically means training models where candidates learn to work across roles and disciplines (for example, special educators collaborating with related service providers and general educators) rather than being trained in isolation. For students with high-intensity needs, services often involve multiple professionals, coordinated planning, and consistent implementation across settings. This competition is therefore oriented toward training approaches that prepare personnel to function effectively within teams, align services, and implement evidence-based practices in real school contexts.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations involved in training and preparing education personnel. This includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), and other entities as described in the official notice under the additional eligibility clarifications. The broad eligibility reflects the reality that personnel preparation can be led by universities, nonprofit training providers, and other partnerships that can deliver high-quality preparation experiences tied to state and local needs.

In terms of funding scale, the award ceiling listed is $250,000, and the opportunity anticipated making approximately 38 awards. As a discretionary grant program, funding is competitive and tied to the priorities and application requirements laid out in the Federal Register notice. The opportunity listing notes that the summary provided is only a synopsis, and that applicants need to rely on the Federal Register application notice for the official requirements, including how priorities are defined, what applicants must propose, what evidence and performance reporting are expected, and the specific submission instructions.

Important dates provided in the listing include an application availability date of February 4, 2022, a deadline for transmittal of applications of April 15, 2022, and an intergovernmental review deadline of June 14, 2022. The Department also planned technical assistance in the form of pre-recorded informational webinars, with details to be posted no later than February 9, 2022, on the OSEP grants webpage. The listing also points applicants to the Department of Education Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 27, 2021) for standardized guidance on obtaining and submitting an application, which is often essential for compliance with formatting, submission, and procedural requirements.

For applicants looking for official guidance or clarification tied specifically to Absolute Priority 1 Focus Area B, the listed program contact is Carlene Reid at the U.S. Department of Education, including a phone number and email address. As with most federal competitions, the official Federal Register notice is the controlling document for all requirements, selection criteria, performance measures, and definitions, and the opportunity summary repeatedly directs applicants there for the authoritative version.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OSERS: OSEP: Absolute Priority 1 Focus B (School Age) Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs, ALN 84.325K-2" 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 Feb 04, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 15, 2022 Applications Available February 4, 2022. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications April 15, 2022. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review June 14, 2022. Pre-Application Webinar Information No later than February 9, 2022, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will post details on pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants. Links to the webinars may be found at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/new-osep-grants.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT For Absolute Priority 1 Focus Area B Carlene Reid, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, room 5038A, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone (202) 245-6139. Email Carlene.Reid@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 38 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).

Apply for ED GRANTS 020422 002

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