The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) within the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has formally opened the application window for its Fiscal Year 2027 research training and development programs. Announced in the Federal Register on August 10, 2026, this notice invites institutions and agencies to apply for new awards across five distinct competitions, totaling millions in federal funding aimed at advancing education research, improving methodologies, and enhancing the use of data for state-level policymaking. The deadline for complete proposals is October 1, 2026, marking a critical opportunity for researchers and educational entities to secure federal support for projects that could significantly influence educational outcomes nationwide.
Understanding the Five Pillars of Funding
IES is soliciting applications for five key programs under its National Center for Education Research (NCER) and National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) divisions. These programs are designed to address different facets of education research and capacity building:
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Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences (ALN 84.305B): Focuses on developing new generations of education researchers.
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Research Training Programs in Special Education (ALN 84.324B): Dedicated to cultivating researchers specializing in the needs of individuals with disabilities.
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Statistical and Research Methodology in Education (ALN 84.305D): Aims to improve the analytical tools and approaches used in education research.
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Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking (ALN 84.305S): Supports states in leveraging their comprehensive data systems for policy and program evaluation.
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Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking in Special Education (ALN 84.324S): Specifically targets the use of longitudinal data by states to inform policies affecting learners with or at risk for disabilities.
Targeted Research Priorities and Topics
The Requests for Applications for each competition specify particular topic areas, reflecting IES's strategic priorities for FY2027.
National Center for Education Research (NCER) Focus
Under NCER, the Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences competition will only consider applications addressing Early Career Development and Mentoring for Education Research or Methods Training for Education Research. The Statistical and Research Methodology in Education competition is open to Core Grants or proposals for Toolkits, Guidelines, Compendia, Review Papers, and Curated Data Resources. For the Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking program, applications must address how state agencies use their education longitudinal data systems to provide evidence for their own program and policy decisions, and those of their local education agencies, regarding increasing access to high-quality education and academic achievement from prekindergarten through adult education.
National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) Focus
NCSER's Research Training Programs in Special Education will accept applications focusing on Early Career Development and Mentoring or Methods Training for Special Education Research. Similarly, the Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking in Special Education program requires applications to demonstrate how state agencies will use their longitudinal data systems to inform decisions pertaining to learners with or at risk for disabilities from birth through postsecondary education.
These topic specificities illustrate a deliberate effort by IES to direct research towards critical areas of need, particularly in capacity building for researchers and the practical application of data for policy.
Eligibility and Funding Allocations
The maximum award amounts vary significantly across the competitions. Research Training in the Education Sciences and Research Training in Special Education programs each offer a maximum of $800,000. The Statistical and Research Methodology in Education program provides up to $900,000. The largest awards, up to $1,200,000, are available for the Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking programs in both general and special education.
Eligibility for these grants also contains crucial distinctions. For the Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking (ALN 84.305S) and Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking in Special Education (ALN 84.324S) programs, applicants must be institutions with demonstrated research ability, and critically, applications must include the relevant State agency or State postsecondary system responsible for the education issue being examined. These state agencies can apply alone or in conjunction with research organizations. For all other competitions, eligible applicants broadly include nonprofit and for-profit organizations, public and private agencies, and institutions of higher education, including state education agencies.
This differentiated eligibility highlights IES's intent to foster direct collaboration between researchers and state-level education authorities when it comes to leveraging longitudinal data. It signals a move towards integrating research directly into state policy mechanisms.
Implications for Federal Education Strategy
This suite of FY2027 grant competitions reflects a pronounced federal strategy to deepen the reliance on evidence-based practices in education policy and to strengthen the pipeline of skilled education researchers. The significant investment in programs focused on longitudinal data for state policymaking underscores a recognition of the value of state-specific data in identifying challenges and evaluating interventions. By requiring state agency involvement in these particular grants, IES is actively promoting a partnership model that seeks to bridge the traditional divide between academic research and practical policy implementation.
Furthermore, the dual emphasis on both general and special education across training and data utilization programs demonstrates a comprehensive approach to improving educational outcomes for all learners. The focus on early career development and advanced methodological tools aims to ensure the long-term sustainability and rigor of education research, positioning the field to address future challenges with robust scientific inquiry. These federal grants serve as a powerful mechanism to steer national education research priorities and foster innovative solutions at the state and local levels.
