The U.S. Department of Education issued revised common instructions for applicants seeking discretionary grant funds. This update streamlines the application process to reduce barriers for potential grant applicants, replacing a previous version published in December 2021. Key changes include the removal of references to the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) in favor of the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and various technical updates. The instructions outline essential steps for grant application submissions, including the necessity for electronic submissions via Grants.gov, requirements for registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), and detailed information on content and format of applications. Applicants are urged to ensure all documents are submitted in specified formats, avoiding issues that may render their applications ineligible. The notice also emphasizes adherence to deadlines for submissions, including steps to take in case of technical difficulties when using the Grants.gov system, along with accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Overall, these revisions reflect the Department's commitment to enhancing accessibility and efficiency in the grant application process.
The document outlines two federal activities: the High School and Beyond 2022 (HS&B:22) First Follow-up Field Test Data Collection and the Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences Grant Program, both initiated by the U.S. Department of Education.
The HS&B:22 study involves the longitudinal tracking of a nationally representative sample of high school students, beginning with ninth graders and concluding in spring 2026. The purpose is to collect vital data for educational research, and the first follow-up field test is slated for spring 2024, with a total of 16,167 expected responses and an estimated 32,891 hours of burden on respondents, mainly from state and local governments.
Separately, the Research Training Programs aim to foster individuals’ capabilities in conducting education research through various grant opportunities for FY 2025, with applications open from November 14, 2024, to March 7, 2025. The possible grant categories include Early Career Development, Pathways to Education Sciences, and Predoctoral Research Training, among others. Grants range in funding from $200,000 to $5,000,000 based on project scope, with an expectation of several awards per program, contingent upon available funds.
Both initiatives emphasize the need for collaboration, timely processing of information, and adherence to federal regulations, aiming to enhance education research and policy implementation.