Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Innovation and Early Learning Programs: Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program Expansion Grants Assistance Listing Number 84.411A

The Federal Register notice from the Department of the Army announces a 60-day public comment period for a proposed information collection related to the Exchange Credit Program (OMB Control Number 0702–0137). This program determines credit eligibility, enhances the shopping experience for authorized patrons (uniformed services, veterans, and dependents), allows check cashing, and aids in government debt collection. Patrons can apply for credit online, via paper form (CRC 7429395), or at the point of sale. The estimated annual burden is 28,975 hours for 869,231 respondents. Comments are due by October 28, 2025, and can be submitted via Federal eRulemaking Portal or mail. Simultaneously, the Department of Education has published revised common instructions for applicants seeking discretionary grants, superseding previous guidance. These instructions aim to simplify applications by centralizing information on submission, review, and award administration, including new guidance on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in applications. Key requirements include using Grants.gov for electronic submissions, having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and an active System for Award Management (SAM.gov) registration. Submissions must be in read-only flattened PDF format by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. The notice also covers application review criteria, including past performance, risk assessment, and reporting requirements for successful grantees. A separate Department of Education notice proposes a revision to the Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) Evaluation Protocol information collection, inviting comments by September 29, 2025.

The Department of Education is inviting applications for Fiscal Year 2025 Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program Expansion Grants. These grants aim to fund evidence-based, field-initiated innovations that improve student achievement for high-need students, with a focus on scaling successful interventions nationally. Projects must have strong prior evidence of effectiveness and will be rigorously evaluated for reproducibility, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. The competition prioritizes projects promoting evidence-based literacy and offers competitive preference for State- and Tribal-led efforts and high-impact tutoring programs. Eligible applicants include LEAs, SEAs, the BIE, nonprofit organizations, and consortia, with a mandatory 10% matching contribution that may be waived under exceptional circumstances. Grantees must conduct independent evaluations and publicly report results. Applications are available September 12, 2025, with a transmittal deadline of October 14, 2025. Total estimated funds are $253,000,000, with awards up to $15,000,000 over 60 months. At least 25% of funds are reserved for rural applicants.