OARS funding Special Education

The Organization for Autism Research is inviting applications for its Graduate Research Grant program. Established in 2004, the grant program is intended to encourage and support students conducting research pursuant to graduate and post-graduate studies in disciplines related to assessment, intervention, and support of learners with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded for projects related to the analysis, evaluation, or comparison of assessment models, treatment models, or service systems; applied aspects of early and/or school-based education, behavioral, or communication intervention; adult issues such as containing education, employment, housing models and later intervention; and/or issues related to family support, social and community integration, and assessment and intervention with challenging behavior. Priority will be given to studies that will likely produce practical and clearly objective results that may aid parents, families, professionals, and people with autism to make more fully informed choices that will lead to healthier and happier lives. International students are eligible to apply.

"Reading for All" activity is to improve reading outcomes for children with disabilities (CwDs) in grades 1 - 3 in USAID-supported Early Grade Reading Program (EGRP) districts. The three main objectives of the Reading for All activity are to improve data quality on CwDs; enhance institutional and technical capacity at various levels to deliver quality reading instruction and support to CwDs; and test inclusive instructional models that can be scaled for specific groups of CwDs.

Purpose of Program: The Institute's purpose in awarding these grants is to provide national leadership in expanding fundamental knowledge and understanding of (1) developmental and school readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for a disability, and (2) education outcomes for all students from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education. The Institute's research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all students. These interested individuals include parents, educators, students, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, the Institute provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. Competitions in This Notice: The Institute will conduct 10 research competitions in FY 2018 through two of its centers: The Institute's National Center for Education Research (NCER) will hold five competitions: One competition for education research; one competition for education research and development centers; one competition for partnerships and collaborations focused on problems of practice or policy; and two competitions for low-cost, short-duration evaluation of education interventions. The Institute's National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) will hold five competitions: One competition for special education research; one competition for research training programs in special education; two competitions for low-cost, short-duration evaluation of special education interventions; and one competition for research networks focused on critical problems of policy and practice in special education.

Purpose of Program: The Institute's purpose in awarding these grants is to provide national leadership in expanding fundamental knowledge and understanding of (1) developmental and school readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for a disability, and (2) education outcomes for all students from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education. The Institute's research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all students. These interested individuals include parents, educators, students, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, the Institute provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. Competitions in This Notice: The Institute will conduct 10 research competitions in FY 2018 through two of its centers: The Institute's National Center for Education Research (NCER) will hold five competitions: One competition for education research; one competition for education research and development centers; one competition for partnerships and collaborations focused on problems of practice or policy; and two competitions for low-cost, short-duration evaluation of education interventions.

The National Academy of Education works to advance high-quality education research and its use in policy formation and practice. Founded in 1965, the academy comprises members in the United States and foreign associates who are elected on the basis of outstanding scholarship related to education. Since its establishment, NAEd has undertaken research studies that address pressing issues in education conducted by its members and other scholars with relevant expertise. As part of that mission, the NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program supports early-career scholars working in critical areas of education research. The non-residential postdoctoral fellowship funds proposals with the potential to make significant scholarly contributions to the field of education. The program also aims to develop the careers of its recipients through professional development activities involving National Academy of Education members. Fellows receive $70,000 for one academic year of research, or $35,000 for each of two contiguous years working half-time, and are included in professional development retreats with other fellows and NAEd members. The program is open to all eligible applicants regardless of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Applicants must have received their PhD, EdD, or equivalent research degree between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016. In addition, all applicants should have a demonstrated record of research experience in education.

The mission of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by funding, catalyzing, and driving research of the greatest quality. The program is seeking applications for SFARI awards from individuals who will conduct bold, imaginative, rigorous, and relevant research. Applications are invited for two categories of grants, including SFARI Pilot Awards and SFARI Pilot Awards. 1) SFARI Pilot Awards: These grants are intended for innovative, high-impact proposals requesting support for small-scale projects or early-stage experiments that will build on preliminary data or a prior track record and lead to competitive applications for funding by SFARI or other organizations. Investigators new to the field of autism are encouraged to apply. The maximum budget is $330,000 (including indirect costs) over two years. 2) SFARI Research Awards: Grants awarded through this category are designed for investigators with demonstrated expertise conducting compelling high-impact research on an experimental hypothesis for which, in most cases, preliminary data have already been gathered. The foundation also will consider projects focused on a central hypothesis where success depends on close collaboration between two or more labs. The initiative expects to fund proposals for a maximum of $975,000 over to three years. All applicants and key collaborators must hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree and have a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school, or other research facility.

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) from civil society organizations to promote and protect the human rights of marginalized populations. This request is seeking programs that take an intersectional approach to addressing violence and discrimination targeting marginalized populations, which undermine society’s collective security, and programs that provide marginalized populations with tools to prevent, mitigate and recover from violence.

People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF), an IRS § 501(c)(3) public, nonprofit agency that serves people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities, is pleased to announce Phase 2 of its pilot grant program. PWDF's mission is to provide education and advocacy for people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities, so that they can achieve equal opportunities in all aspects of life.  PWDF currently accomplishes its mission through two programs:   Advocacy and Public Awareness and Education. PWDF is continuing the development of its grant program.  Grants may be used for a specific program, project, or general operating expenses if related to a specific project or program in furtherance of providing advocacy, education, vocational, or other services to people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities. It is anticipated that this pilot program will award smaller grants in the range of $5,000 to $12,500, with a goal of future program expansion that will make larger awards. Letters of Interest are due November 6, 2017.

Established in 2004, the grant program is intended to encourage and support students conducting research pursuant to graduate and postgraduate studies in disciplines related to the assessment, intervention, and support of learners with autism spectrum disorders. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded for projects related to the analysis, evaluation, or comparison of assessment models, treatment models, or service systems; applied aspects of early and/or school-based education, behavioral, or communication intervention; adult issues such as continuing education, employment, housing models, and later intervention; and/or issues related to family support, social and community integration, and assessment and interventions for challenging behavior. Priority will be given to studies likely to produce practical and clearly objective results that may aid parents, families, professionals, and people with autism to make more fully informed choices that lead to healthier and happier lives. International students are eligible to apply. The maximum grant awards are $2,000 for doctoral or postdoctoral candidates and $1,000 for master's candidates.

The Spencer Foundation is accepting proposals for its Conference Grants program, which provides support to scholars for small research conferences and focused symposia. The program is designed to help bring together researchers whose substantive knowledge, theoretical insight, and methodological expertise can be assembled in ways that build on and advance best practices in education research. The foundation rotates the programs area of focus periodically to generate fresh ideas and perspectives on pressing educational challenges. Currently, it is seeking proposals from scholars whose interests are related to the creation and sustainability of equitable educational spaces. The program will support proposals of up to $50,000. Principal investigators and co-PIs applying for a conference grant must have earned a doctorate degree in an academic discipline or professional field, or demonstrate appropriate experience in an education research-related profession. In addition, the PI must be affiliated with a college, university, school district, nonprofit research facility, or nonprofit cultural institution that is willing to serve as the fiscal agent if the grant is awarded.

Congress enacted the Troops to Teachers (TTT) Program in 1993 to assist eligible current and former members of the armed forces to transition into second careers as teachers. Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, Force Education, is responsible for program policy, funding and oversight. The TTT National Office, located within the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), is responsible for day-to-day operations and management of the program. Authorizing statute in 10 USC 1154(h) (2) (A), permits the Secretary of Defense to make grants to states or consortia of such states in order to support efforts of recruiting eligible current and former members of the armed forces for participation in the TTT Program and facilitating the employment of participants as elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, and career or technical teachers.

 The purpose of this FOA is to support investigator-initiated R01 applications that will inform our understanding of the typical and atypical patterns of language and literacy development of dual language learners (DLLs) in the United States. Applicants are encouraged to take advantage of advances in the language sciences and related fields to identify and clarify specific cognitive, linguistic, neurobiological, and sociocultural factors associated with normal and impaired language and literacy acquisition in young DLL populations.     

The principal purpose of the project is to support the Government’s objective to provide opportunities for youth to learn about the environment as well as relevant job skills by spending time working on projects in National Parks. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing community often struggles to break into the job market, so crew participants in this project will particularly benefit from the professional development and job skills gained during this experience. The NPS receives the indirect benefit of completing conservation projects. The project engages crew participants, partners, and the Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities in shared resource stewardship. This project will align with DOI priorities such as Restoring Trust With Local Communities (in this case, the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community and rural New Mexican communities) and Modernizing Our Infrastructure (projects will address deferred maintenance whenever possible).

Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. Under the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CDFA) number 84.358A, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) awards grants on a formula basis to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to address the unique needs of rural school districts. In this notice, we establish the deadline and describe the submission procedures for fiscal year (FY) 2018 SRSA grant applications.

The purpose of NIDILRR's Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, including international activities, to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities, and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act).Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a research project that is aimed at improving health and function outcomes of individuals with disabilities. In carrying out a research project under this program, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and, based on the hypotheses or research questions identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new or full scientific knowledge, or (2) understanding of the subject or problem studied.Please note that this is the Funding Opportunity for field-initiated DRRP research projects in the health and function domain. NIDILRR plans to make one field-initiated DRRP award in the health and function domain. NIDILRR's field-initiated DRRP award in the health and function domain may be a research project or a development project, depending on the ranking of applications provided by the peer review panel.

Note: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on February 12, 2018 (83 FR 6003) and available at www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/pdf/2018-02558.pdf. Purpose of Program: The HEP is designed to assist eligible persons to obtain the equivalent of a secondary school diploma and subsequently to gain improved employment, enter into military service, or be placed in an institution of higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary education or training.

Submit an application if you are a successful top-rank junior researcher from abroad, only completed your doctorate with distinction in the last six years, and have published work in prestigious international journals or publishing houses. The Sofja Kovalevskaja Award allows you to spend five years building up a working group and working on a high-profile, innovative research project of your own choice at a research institution of your own choice in Germany.

The Administration for Community Living/Administration on Aging (ACL/AoA) is making this competitive grant opportunity available to eligible entities for the purpose of testing and supporting models of local programming designed to place volunteers in communities to assist family caregivers and/or assists older adults and individuals with disabilities in maintaining independence by providing non-medical care. ACL/AoA plans to fund one (1) cooperative agreement at a federal funding level of up to $4,802,983 per year, for five years (60 months), pending the availability of federal funds. Grantee will focus activity in two priority areas: 1) improving the nation's overall capacity to support volunteer programs that provide non-medical care to assist caregivers, older adults, and/or persons with disabilities; and 2) advancing innovative models that support volunteer programs that provide non-medical care to assist caregivers, older adults, and/or persons with disabilities.

This report will take an in-depth look at the AbilityOne program and NCD's concerns pertaining to 14(c) certificates. NCD released a white paper in February 2019 which was a cursory look at the AbilityOne program (https://NCD.gov/publications/2019/cursory-look-abilityone). This report will pick up where the white paper ended and will include an in-depth review of how AbilityOne functions and interacts with its Central Nonprofit Agencies(CNAs) and Nonprofit Agencies (NPAs). NCD expects any proposal submitted in response to the solicitation to include how it will obtain data needed to determine the prevalence of 14(c) certificate holders among AbilityOne providers; how it will set up a partnership with the Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment and Policy (ODEP) to gather and provide concrete data showing the impact of varying scenariosPertaining to persons with disabilities and employers; and what methods will be used to examine each CNA individually. NCD also expects the final report developed by the contractor to examine what has been done to improve transparency since the 898 Advisory Panel Subcommittee to Eliminate Waste Fraud and Abuse called for improved transparency of the AbilityOne Program in July 2018. The contractor will develop recommendations and promising practices for federal agencies, state and local municipalities with the goal of improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College sponsors the annual Steven H. Sandell Grant Program for scholars in the field of retirement and disability research. The program is funded by the U.S. Social Security Administration to provide opportunities for junior or non-tenured scholars from all academic disciplines to pursue cutting-edge projects on retirement or disability issues. The program is funded by the U.S. Social Security Administration to provide opportunities for junior or non-tenured scholars (within seven years of receiving their PhD) from any academic discipline to pursue cutting-edge projects on retirement or disability issues. Research focus areas include trends in disability and survey issues; informing long-term projections and models; state and local pensions for non-covered workers; actuarial adjustment of benefits; economic effects of totalization agreements; measuring sources of income; risks and resources in older age; induced entry; opioids; and claimant representatives.