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Funding Opportunities

Steps to Applying for IES Grants

  1. Identify a current funding opportunity that matches your research interests and identify the relevant Letter of Intent and application deadlines.
  2. Register for a funding opportunities webinar to learn more about the application process and choosing an appropriate funding opportunity.
  3. Download the appropriate Request for Applications and application package.
  4. Submit your (optional but strongly encouraged) Letter of Intent.
  5. Submit your application to Grants.gov before the application deadline.

Note: See "Other IES Funding Opportunities" for IES grants that follow different application procedures.

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Funding Opportunities for Research and Research Training

The deadline to submit applications for FY 2017 education research grants and special education research grants has passed. Information about FY 2018 funding opportunities will be posted in spring 2017.

The Institute of Education Sciences has an overarching priority to support research that contributes to school readiness and improved academic achievement for all students and particularly for those whose education prospects are hindered by inadequate education services and conditions associated with poverty, race/ethnicity, limited English proficiency, disability, and family circumstance. Please read an Overview of IES Research and Research Training Grants Programs for background information. Please note that not all of the Institute's research and research training programs are offered each funding year and that the requirements for research and research training programs may change from one year to the next.

FY 2017 Research Programs

In FY 2017, the Institute will support the following research programs (announced in the Federal Register on March 8, 2016).

Education Research


Special Education Research



FY 2017 Research Training Programs

In FY 2017, the Institute will support the following research training programs (announced in the Federal Register on March 8, 2016).



Other IES Funding Opportunities

Research Funding Webinars

Do you have questions about the grant application process for research or research training grant competitions? The National Center for Special Education Research and the National Center for Education Research within the Institute of Education Sciences periodically host a series of webinars related to research funding opportunities. Sign up now to receive information on choosing the correct funding opportunity, grant writing, the application process, and more.

  • For more information regarding webinar topics, dates, and registration process, browse here.
  • To view slides from previous webinar sessions, browse here.

Please register for the IES Newsflash for e-mail notifications about future webinars and upcoming funding opportunities.

Need Help?

Several blue quesiton marksFor general inquires, contact the Institute of Education Sciences. For questions about specific funding opportunities, contact the National Center for Education Research (84.305 RFAs) or the National Center for Special Education Research (84.324 RFAs).