Institute of Education Sciences Applications (IES): Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS), Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.372A | ED GRANTS 050523 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 050523 002

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) grant opportunity (ALN 84.372A) is a U.S. Department of Education discretionary program that provides cooperative agreement funding to help State Education Agencies (SEAs) design, build, and implement statewide longitudinal data systems. The central idea is to strengthen a state's ability to manage and use high-quality, individual-level student data over time so that education leaders, practitioners, and policymakers can make better decisions based on timely, accurate information. These systems are intended to support efficient data management, deeper analysis, and more meaningful use of disaggregated data to understand outcomes for different groups of students and to guide continuous improvement efforts.

A major long-term objective of the SLDS program is to help states develop comprehensive P-20W data systems, meaning integrated data that spans early learning (P), K-12 education, postsecondary education, and the workforce (W). By connecting data across these stages, states can more clearly track educational pathways and outcomes, identify where students tend to fall off track, and evaluate which programs and policies are associated with improved achievement, attainment, and career outcomes. The program emphasizes not only collecting data, but also making it usable for analysis and informed decision-making at multiple levels of the education system, from state agencies to local districts and schools, while also increasing the speed and efficiency of how data can be analyzed and reported.

The opportunity also highlights the role of SLDS efforts in supporting education accountability and transparency. Better longitudinal systems can simplify and strengthen federal and public reporting by improving data quality, consistency, and availability. In practice, that can mean more reliable reporting on performance indicators, faster turnaround for dashboards and required submissions, and a stronger foundation for answering policy questions. In addition, SLDS-funded work is positioned to facilitate high-quality research aimed at improving student academic achievement and closing achievement gaps, since a well-designed longitudinal system can allow states and approved partners to study trends, interventions, and outcomes with greater confidence.

Historically, the Department has made broad investments through this program, with prior SLDS competitions supporting 49 states along with the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories (including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa). Earlier grant rounds helped recipients develop K-12 longitudinal systems and, in many cases, expand them to incorporate early childhood, postsecondary, and workforce data. The program has also supported efforts to link records across time and across databases, including linking students to teachers, which can enable more nuanced analyses of instruction and staffing while requiring careful governance and safeguards.

A consistent theme throughout the program is interoperability and responsible data sharing. The SLDS initiative encourages building systems that can connect across institutions, agencies, and even states when appropriate, while maintaining protections for privacy and confidentiality. This includes implementing policies and technical controls consistent with applicable privacy laws and best practices so that longitudinal linkages and broader access to data do not come at the expense of student or individual privacy.

For this specific competition cycle, the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically means there is substantial federal involvement compared to a standard grant, often through technical assistance, shared expectations, or structured collaboration. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $4,000,000 and anticipates making about 35 awards. The notice indicates applications were made available on May 5, 2023, with a notice of intent to apply due May 19, 2023, and full applications due June 29, 2023. IES also planned pre-application webinars to provide technical assistance, with details posted through the IES funding website.

Eligibility is described in the listing as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," but the program purpose statement makes clear that awards are directed to SEAs. Because the summary provided is only a synopsis, applicants are directed to the official Federal Register application notice for definitive requirements, including eligibility rules, submission instructions, priorities, performance measures, and other compliance details. The opportunity also points applicants to the Department of Education's Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 7, 2022) for the standardized application and submission framework. A program contact is provided for applicant questions: Nancy Sharkey at the U.S. Department of Education, including phone and email contact information.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Institute of Education Sciences Applications (IES): Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS), Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.372A" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.372.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 05, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 29, 2023 Applications Available May 5, 2023. Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply May 19, 2023. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications June 29, 2023. Pre-Application Webinar Information We intend to hold webinars designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants. Detailed information regarding these meetings will be provided on the IES website at https://ies.ed.gov/#8203funding. Nancy Sharkey, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Potomac Center Plaza, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone (202) 987#82111082. Email nancy.sharkey@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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 35 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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