The U.S. Department of Education has released a notice inviting applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 under the program "Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities—Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership Personnel." This funding opportunity is designed to increase the number of well-prepared doctoral-level professionals who will serve as leaders in special education, early intervention, and related services. These leadership personnel will be equipped to act effectively as researchers, faculty, or administrators within educational institutions and organizations that support children with disabilities.

The main goal of this grant is to promote equity in access to educational opportunities and to address critical personnel shortages in the fields of special education and early intervention. The Department places a particular focus on recruiting and supporting multilingual leaders and individuals from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds. The leadership personnel trained through this grant will be expected to prepare others, conduct relevant research, and develop policy that enhances services for children with disabilities.

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education (IHEs) and nonprofit organizations capable of entering into federal agreements on behalf of such institutions. Projects must culminate in a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in fields related to special education, early intervention, or related services. The Department has allocated an estimated $3 million for this competition, with individual awards ranging from $1.15 million to $3.75 million depending on the size and scope of the project. The project period may last up to 60 months. Applicants can propose partnerships between two or three IHEs to offer joint training experiences and increase the number of leadership personnel.

Successful applicants will need to demonstrate a strong track record in producing qualified leadership personnel and must present data on previous graduates’ success in leadership positions. Additionally, applicants are required to address strategies for recruiting a diverse group of scholars, particularly those from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and multilingual candidates. Recruitment strategies must ensure equal access and compliance with federal civil rights laws.

Applications must be submitted by November 22, 2024, with intergovernmental reviews due by February 5, 2025. The Department emphasizes the importance of mentoring, experiential learning, and professional development opportunities to ensure that all scholars are well-prepared for leadership roles. Awardees will be required to use at least 65% of their funds for scholar support, which can include tuition, stipends, travel for professional development, and other related expenses.

Evaluation criteria for this competition include the significance of the proposed project, the quality of project services, the qualifications of the project personnel, and the adequacy of resources to support the project’s objectives. Additionally, projects must include a plan for data collection and evaluation to assess the success of the program and its scholars. Applicants may earn additional points through competitive preference priorities, such as submitting applications from new potential grantees or partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).