OSERS: OSEP: Development of Innovative Technology Tools or Approaches to Improve Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities, Assistance Listing Number 84.327R | ED GRANTS 021323 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 021323 001

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 funding competition under the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities program (often referred to as the ETechM2 Program), listed under Assistance Listing Number 84.327R. The opportunity is focused on supporting the development of innovative technology tools or approaches that can improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities, with a strong emphasis on practical educational value and real-world use in learning environments.

The stated purpose of the ETechM2 Program is to improve results for children with disabilities through several connected strategies. First, it aims to promote the development, demonstration, and use of technology, meaning projects are expected not only to create or refine tools but also to show they work in realistic contexts and can be adopted by intended users. Second, it supports educational activities designed to have clear value in the classroom for children with disabilities, which signals that proposals should be grounded in instructional needs and learning outcomes rather than technology for its own sake. Third, it provides support for captioning and video description that is appropriate for classroom use, reinforcing that accessibility features for audio-visual materials remain a core component of the program. Fourth, it prioritizes providing accessible educational materials to children with disabilities in a timely manner, which often points to reducing delays and barriers that prevent students from getting accessible formats when they need them.

Funding is offered through a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. In practice, a cooperative agreement typically means the Department of Education anticipates being more actively involved in the project during the period of performance, such as through collaboration, monitoring, and technical input, compared to a traditional grant where the recipient generally operates more independently. The listing indicates an expected number of four awards. The notice shows an award ceiling of 0, which usually means the ceiling amount is not specified in the summary data and applicants need to consult the official Federal Register notice for the actual award range, project period, and budget guidance.

A wide range of applicant types are eligible, including state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding IHEs in those categories as stated); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and other entities as allowed under the program rules (with the official notice providing any clarifications under additional eligibility information). This broad eligibility is consistent with technology and accessibility work that often benefits from partnerships among schools, universities, nonprofits, public agencies, and private developers.

Key dates included in the opportunity synopsis show that applications became available on February 13, 2023, with a deadline to submit applications by April 14, 2023. The deadline for intergovernmental review is listed as June 13, 2023. The Department also planned to provide technical assistance to applicants through pre-recorded informational webinars, with details to be posted no later than February 21, 2023, and links hosted on the Department website page for new OSEP grants. For application logistics, including where and how to submit, the synopsis points applicants to the Department of Education Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 7, 2022), and emphasizes that the controlling requirements, priorities, performance measures, and detailed instructions are found in the official Federal Register application notice.

The opportunity references two absolute priorities, each with its own program contact. For Absolute Priority 1, the contact is Rebecca Sheffield (Rebecca.Sheffield@ed.gov, 202-245-6725). For Absolute Priority 2, the contact is Tina Diamond, with the email listed as Christina.Diamond@ed.gov (202-245-6723). Applicants would need to review the Federal Register notice to understand what each absolute priority requires, since absolute priorities generally function as must-meet conditions for funding consideration; proposals that do not address the relevant absolute priority are typically deemed ineligible or not reviewed, depending on the notice language.

Overall, the program is aimed at improving educational outcomes and access for children with disabilities by investing in technology innovation and accessible media and materials, with an emphasis on classroom relevance, accessibility features like captioning and video description, and faster access to accessible formats. The synopsis repeatedly stresses that the Federal Register notice is the authoritative source for full requirements, including the specific priorities, selection criteria, required project components, reporting and performance measures, and all submission and compliance details.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OSERS: OSEP: Development of Innovative Technology Tools or Approaches to Improve Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities, Assistance Listing Number 84.327R" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.327.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 13, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 14, 2023 Applications Available February 13, 2023. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications April 14, 2023. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review June 13, 2023. Pre-Application Webinar Information No later than February 21, 2023, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services will post details on pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance (TA) to interested applicants. Links to the webinars may be found at https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/new-osep-grants.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT For Absolute Priority 1 Rebecca Sheffield, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 5040E, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone (202) 245-6725. Email Rebecca.Sheffield@ed.gov.For Absolute Priority 2 Tina Diamond, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 5076, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone (202) 245-6723. Email Christina.Diamond@ed.gov.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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