Guide to FY2017 Research Funding at theDepartment of Education (ED)

Contact: James Murday, DC Office of Research Advancement 202 824 5863, murday@usc.edu

Summary and IndexThis document provides succinct insights into the various ED funding opportunities for University research, with special attention to changes anticipated in FY2017.

ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. An overarching priority is research that contributes to school readiness and improved academic achievement for all students, and particularly for those whose education prospects are hindered. There is a major effort in effective teaching and learning, with some emphasis on STEM. University research funding primarily comes from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), but other Offices also contribute.

Descriptive of ED research funding opportunities pages 2-10Brief description of the ED Offices/Institute and their programs 2- 6Resources 7Table 1: FY13 and FY14 ED research/development available to Universities 8Table 2: ED requested R&D funding pertinent to Universities 9-10

Appendix 1: FY2017 New Programs and/or Significant Growth pages 11-12A new program – Education, Innovation and Research is replacing Investing in Innovation with a goal of improving achievements at the high school level.Program From FY2016 to FY2017 in $M page IES Research, Development and Dissemination 195 to 209 11 Research in Special Education 54 to 54 11OII Education Innovation and Research 120 to 180 11OPE Higher Education FIPSE 0 to 100 12OESE Comprehensive Centers 51 to 55 12

Appendix 2: Illustration of a program officer datasheet 13

Appendix 3: Acronym GlossaryAgency Specific 14General 15

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Overview The Department of Education's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. An overarching priority is research that contributes to that mission. There is a significant effort in effective teaching and learning, with some emphasis on STEM. ED’s 2016-2017 priority goals are:

Increase college degree attainment in America Federal student aid transparency Support implementation of college- and career-ready standards and assessments Increase enrollment in high-quality state preschool programs Improve learning by ensuring that more students have effective teachers / leaders Ensure equitable educational opportunities Enable evidence-based decision making

The various ED offices with R&D programs pertinent to Universities are: Institute for Education Sciences (IES)

Focus: research, evaluation, and statistics to provide solutions for schools and learners. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

Focus: improve academic achievement for all students, and particularly for those whose prospects are hindered by inadequate education services and other conditions.

Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII)Focus: innovative educational programs and practices.

Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Focus: significant reforms and improvements in postsecondary education

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)Focus: all matters related to elementary and secondary education.

Office of Educational Technology (OET)Focus: transformational learning experiences powered by technology

Office of Educational Technology (OET)Focus: transforming education through the power of technology

ARPA-ED (proposed)Focus: development of educational technology and learning systems, especially STEM.

Table 1 shows the amounts of prior ED funding at Universities. Table 2 shows the FY2017 projected funds for R&D programs pertinent to Universities, along with primary program officers. Data sheets for those program officers are available at MAPS.

The announcements are published in the Federal Register and in grants.gov. But more detailed applications packages are found at: http://ies.ed.gov/funding/. Each package has a set of instructions to guide the proposal submission. At least for IES, one can also register for a funding opportunities webinar to learn more about the application process and choosing an appropriate funding opportunity (http://ies.ed.gov/funding/index.asp#webinar). Proposal submission must be through grants.gov.

Institute for Education Sciences http://ies.ed.govThe IES mission is to provide rigorous and relevant evidence on which to ground education practice and policy. The IES is organized about four National Centers. There is a website

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with resources for researchers that includes a descriptive of the peer review process: http://ies.ed.gov/resourcesforresearchers.asp For more information, see MAPS ED Charts 5-16.

National Center for Education Research (NCER)http://ies.ed.gov/ncer/There are 11 long-term programs of research (topics) under the Education Research Grant Programs (CFDA 84.305A); the grants are up to 4 years and $1.5M (total). Current program topics are shown in Table 2, along with a pertinent program officer. Application deadlines are announced in the Federal Register and on the IES website. For more information, see MAPS ED Charts 10-12.

The NCER supports a number of Centers, most University based (CFDA 84-305C). The award period is up to 5 years and $10M total. For more information, see MAPS ED Chart 12. The NCER also supports researcher-practitioner partnerships in education research (CFDA 84.305H). There must be at least one PI from a research institution and one from a State/Local Education Agency (SEA/LEA). The awards are 2-5 years and up to $5M (total), depending on the project.

National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER ) (http://ies.ed.gov/ncser/index.asp)There are 11 long-term programs of research (topics) under its Special Education Research Grant Programs (CFDA 84.324A). Current program topics are shown in Table 2, along with a pertinent program officer. Application deadlines are announced in the Federal Register and on the IES website. For more information, see MAPS ED Charts 13-15.

The NSCER supports special education research and development centers (84.324C) with awards up to 5 years and $10M (total). For more information, see MAPS ED Chart 15. The NSCER program “Accelerating the Academic Achievement of Students with Disabilities Research Initiative” (CFDA 84.324D) has awards up to 5 years and $1-2M.

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)http://nces.ed.gov/The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education. Through the grant program on Statistical and Research Methodology in Education (Methods) (CFDA 84.305D), the Institute supports research to advance education research methods and statistical analyses; budgets are up to 3 years and $900K.

National Center for Education Evaluation (NCEE)http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/Through a grant program on Evaluation of State and Local Education Programs and Policies (CFDA 84.305E), IES supports (up to five years and $5M) rigorous evaluations of education programs or policies that are implemented by State or local education agencies to improve student academic outcomes.

Regional Educational Laboratories (REL) http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/The REL program supports a network of 10 laboratories that serve the needs of their regions of the United States by conducting applied research and evaluations, developing

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and disseminating products and processes based on the best available research findings, and providing training and technical assistance to State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), school boards, and State boards of education to aid their school improvement efforts and increase student achievement. (WestEd leads the Western REL - http://relwest.wested.org/) For more information, see MAPS ED Chart 16.

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html?src=ocOSERS supports programs that help educate children and youth with disabilities, provides for the rehabilitation of youth and adults with disabilities, and supports research to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. It has two program components: Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). A prior program, NIDRR, now renamed now the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), has been transferred to DHHS’s Administration for Community Living (ACL). For more info, see MAPS ED Chart 17.

Office of Special Education Programs, Research to Practice Division (OSEP) http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.htmlThe Research to Practice Division (RTP) provides leadership and oversees the implementation of knowledge development, transfer, and use to improve educational results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities. CFDAs 325, 326, 327

Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) http://www.ed.gov/oii-newsOII makes strategic investments in innovative educational programs and practices, and administers more than 25 discretionary grant programs managed by five program offices: Charter Schools Program, Improvement Programs, Parental Options and Information, Teacher Quality Programs, and the Investing in Innovation Programs.

Education Innovation and Research Program The Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program - the successor to the Investing in Innovation (i3) program (http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html) - supports the creation, development, implementation, replication, and scaling up of evidence-based, field-initiated innovations designed to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students.

ARPA-Ed has been proposed (for the fourth time) in the FY2017 budget; $30M has been requested for as part of the Education Innovation and Research program line. Its mission would be to pursue development of educational technology and tools.

Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/index.html?src=ocOPE formulates federal postsecondary education policy and administers programs that address critical national needs in support of our mission to increase access to quality postsecondary education. The Higher Education Programs (HEP) administers efforts that broaden access to higher education and strengthen the capacity of colleges and universities. For more information, see MAPS ED Chart 19.

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The Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/fipse/index.htmlComprehensive Program (CFDA 84.116B) FIPSE welcomes proposals for projects that seek novel strategies for establishing an international dimension of issues related to all aspects of postsecondary education, including foreign language acquisition, the social sciences, health sciences, and information technology.

First in the World Program (CFDA 84.116F)The First in the World (FITW) Program provides grants to institutions of higher education to spur the development of innovations that improve educational outcomes and make college more affordable for students and families, and to develop an evidence base of effective practices.

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oese/index.htmlOESE promoteS academic excellence, enhanceS educational opportunities and equity for all of America's children and families, and improves the quality of teaching and learning by providing leadership, technical assistance and financial support. For more information, see MAPS ED Chart 20.

Office of Educational Technologyhttp://tech.ed.gov/OET develops national educational technology policy and establishes the vision for how technology can be used to support learning.  OET is also the primary office for outreach to the developer community. The 2016 National Education Technology Plan (NETP) focuses on using technology to transform learning experiences with the goal of providing greater equity and accessibility. For more information, see MAPS ED Charts 21-22.

Education/TrainingThe Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has predoctoral and postdoctoral research training programs in the education sciences to increase the supply of scientists and researchers in education who are prepared to conduct rigorous evaluation studies, develop and evaluate new products and approaches that are grounded in a science of learning, and design and validate tests and measures (CFDAs 84.305B and 84.324B). OPE has the Higher Education Program that administers efforts to increase access to postsecondary education for low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities. Included among these are the Federal TRIO Programs.

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) - CFDA Number: 84.200 Fellowships through graduate academic departments, programs, and units of institutions of higher education to graduate students of superior ability who demonstrate financial need for the purpose of sustaining and enhancing the capacity for teaching and research in academic areas of national need.

STEM Educationhttp://www.ed.gov/stemIn May 2013 the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on STEM Education released a five-year strategic plan with major roles for the Smithsonian, NSF and the

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Department of Education. The Department of Education is to play an increased role in improving P-12 STEM instruction by supporting partnerships among school districts and universities, science agencies, businesses, and other community partners to transform teaching and learning. The Department is to collaborate with all of the CoSTEM agencies to ensure that Federal scientific assets are utilized in the improvement of P-12 STEM education. Dr. Russell Shilling is the Executive Director of STEM at the U.S. Department of Education, overseeing the Department’s policies to drive innovation in STEM education and enhance interagency coordination.

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ResourcesDepartment of Education email alerts to new opportunities can be arranged at:https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USED/subscriber/new?topic_id=USED_5

Website showing the discretionary grant competitions http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html

Website that lists programs and competitions for which ED has invited, or expects to invite, applications for new awards. http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/find/edlite-forecast.html

IES Requests for Applications, click on the research program line(s)http://ies.ed.gov/funding/

IES Resources for Researchershttp://ies.ed.gov/resourcesforresearchers.asp

Mission Agency Program Summaries (MAPS)The DC Office of Research Advancement has created the Federal Mission Agency Program Summaries website to:

1. connect PIs with appropriate funding agency programs/program officers2. assist in development of white papers/charts/elevator speeches

The website (http://web-app.usc.edu/web/ra_maps) can be accessed using one’s USC NetID and Password.

MAPS will have the following resources: 1. Search Tab for a searchable database of programs/program officersOne can do keyword searches to locate many of the associated mission agency (DHS, DOD, DOE, DOT, ED, EPA, NASA, NIST, NOAA and USDA) programs and program officers.2. Mission Agency Tab (DHS, DHHS, DOD, DOE, DOJ, DOT, ED, EPA, INTEL, NASA, NIST, NOAA, and

USDA) Guide to Agency Funding for FYXX Agency Research Program Charts Agency Planning Documents Chart numbers in the “Guides to Funding” reference the Agency Research Program Chart file.3. Presentation Tab for charts from recent USC Center of Excellence in Research workshops4. Proposal Tab for reports / guides on writing proposals 5. Email Alerts Tab for URLs at which one can arrange for automatic solicitation updates6. Grantee Tab for URLs at which one can find previous agency/program officer awardees7. Visiting DC Tab for information about DC Office services

Assistance in Locating Funding and Preparing Proposals Dr. James S. Murday DC Office of Research Advancement Tel: 202 824 5863 Email: Murday@usc.edu

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Table 1: FY2013 - FY2014 ED Research & Development Funding ($M)

Total At Colleges / Universities

FY13 FY14 FY13 FY14Basic Research 24 24 18 18Applied Research 178 188 137 147Development 108 112 69 72

Applied Research by Related Disciplines Life Sciences 13 13 Psychology 12 12 Social Sciences 146 157 Engineering 7 7 Other 0 0

From NSF “Federal Funds for Research and Development: FY2013-2015” NSF 15-324, July 2015Because the FY2015 entries are Budget Request only, they are not reported here.Basic 2013 Tables 30Applied Research 2013 Tables 44 and 48Development 2013 Table 58Basic 2014 Table 31 Applied Research 2014 Table 46 and 49Development 2014 Table 59

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Table 2: ED requested R&D Funding Pertinent to Universities

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Appendix 1: FY2017 ED Research Programs with significant change (from FY16 to FY17 in $M)

In the Institute of Education Sciences Budget Submission (IES)Research, Development and Dissemination 195 to 209Included in the request is increased funding for research related to postsecondary education and funds to enhance the Department’s program performance data. It will allow IES to make approximately $52M in new research awards (an increase of $14M from 2016). Possible new areas of investment in education research for 2017 include research networks focused on promoting postsecondary access, program completion, and high quality, affordable education programs; understanding effective teaching practices in elementary schools; improving rural education; improving outcomes for English learners; research and development centers focused on State efforts to implement the Next Generation Science Standards and on improving writing instruction in middle and high school; and additional support for low-cost evaluations.

At the request level, IES would consider funding a new R&D Center. This center would likely focus on: 1) a center designed to support and evaluate the Next Generation Science Standards, with an emphasis on increasing participation and achievement in science courses among low-income and minority students; or 2) a center on developing and evaluating strategies to improve writing instruction in middle and high schools.

Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Practice Funds requested for 2017 would be used to support continuation costs for awards made in 2016, as well as to fund a new topic on college completion.

Research in Special Education 54 to 54IES would support approximately $49M in continuation costs of grants awarded in 2016 and prior years and $3M in new grant awards.

In the Innovation and Instructional Teams Budget Submission (OII)Education Innovation and Research 120 to 180The Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program—the successor to the Investing in Innovation (i3) program—supports the creation, development, implementation, replication, and scaling up of evidence-based, field-initiated innovations designed to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students. Changes from the i3 program include expansion of the entities eligible to receive funds, a new rural set-aside, and more flexible requirements for matching funds. In addition, a portion of the requested funds would be used to support activities to be carried out by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Education (ARPA-ED).

ARPA-ED 0 to 30In addition, the Department may reserve up to $30M for ARPA-ED. ARPA-ED would be a new entity within the Department, modeled after similar agencies within the Department of Defense and Department of Energy. The ARPA-ED mission would be to pursue development of breakthrough educational technology and tools that result in improvements for all students (especially those from low-income backgrounds) by increasing educational achievement and attainment for students in both traditional and non-traditional learning environments.

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In the Higher Education Budget Submission (OPE)Higher Education FIPSE 0 to 100Of the $100M approximately $96M would be used for new FITW awards, including the first round of FITW scale-up grants to implement strategies proven to improve outcomes for students who are at risk for not completing postsecondary programs, and to rigorously evaluate such interventions at scale.

In the School Improvement Programs Budget Submission (OESE)Comprehensive Centers 51 to 55Not less than 20 Comprehensive Centers, including regional centers and content centers, to provide training, technical assistance, and professional development to build State capacity to provide high-quality education for all students, particularly those in low-performing local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools. The current cohort of Comprehensive Centers, which started their 5-year awards in 2012, includes 7 content centers and 15 regional centers.

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Appendix 2: Illustration of an ED Program Officer Datasheet

Dr. Emily J. Doolittle Research ScientistIES / NCER / Teaching and Learning Division202 219 1201Emily.doolittle@ed.gov

Biosketch:January 2008 – present Research Scientist, National Center for Education Research

EducationPh.D. in Developmental Psychology from The University of Chicago in 1995

Program:Social and Behavioral Context for Academic Learning (CFDA 84.305A)The Social and Behavioral Context for Academic Learning (Social/Behavioral) topic supports research on social skills, dispositions, and behaviors to improve student outcomes (e.g., grades, standardized test scores, attendance, high school graduation rates) in typically developing students from kindergarten through high school. The long-term outcome of this research will be an array of tools and strategies (e.g., assessment tools and behavioral interventions) that have been documented to be effective for improving or assessing social skills, dispositions, and behaviors that support academic and other important school-related outcomes of students from kindergarten through high school.

Illustrative Papers Reflecting Personal Research Interests:Reading with Understanding: Research from the Institute of Education SciencesAlbro, Elizabeth R; Doolittle, Emily J; Lauer, Kristen; Okagaki, LynnPerspectives on Language and Literacy April 1, 2009

Distractibility during infants’ examining and repetitive rhythmic activityEmily J. Doolittle and Holly A. RuffDevelopmental Psychobiology 32(4), 275-283 (1998)

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Appendix 3: Acronym and Abbreviation Glossary

Agency SpecificARPA-ED Advanced Research Projects Agency - EducationCTE Cyberlearning Transforming EducationDRRP Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (NIDRR program in OSERS)ED U.S. Department of Education (alternative acronym to DoED)EIR Education Innovation Research (program in OII)ERIC Educational Resources Information CenterESEA Elementary and Secondary Education ActESRA Education Sciences Reform Act FIE Fund for the Improvement of Education (OII program)FIP Field Initiated Program (in NIDRR)FIPSE Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (OPE program)FITW First in the World (program in OPE)GAANN Graduate Assistance in Areas of National NeedHEP Higher Education Program (in OPE)i3 Investing in Innovation (OII program)IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (of 2004)IES Institute of Education Sciences (in ED)LEA Local Education AgencyNAEP National Assessment of Educational ProgressNAGB National Assessment Governing BoardNARIC National Rehabilitation Information CenterNBES National Board for Education SciencesNCEE National Center for Education Evaluation (part of IES)NCEERA National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (in IES)NCER National Center for Education Research (part of IES)NCES National Center for Education Statistics (part of IES)NCSER National Center for Special Education Research (part of IES)NETP National Education Technology PlanNLE National Library of EducationOESE Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (in ED)OET Office of Educational Technology (in ED)OII Office of Innovation and Improvement (in ED)OPE Office of Postsecondary Education (in ED)OSERS Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (in ED)RERC Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (NIDRR program in OSERS)REL Regional Educational Laboratories RSA Rehabilitation Services AdministrationRTTC Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (NIDRR program in OSERS)RTP Research to Practice Division (in OSEP)SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationSEA State Education Agency or State Department of EducationSTEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Education)TIMSS Trends in International Mathematics and Science StudyTRIO Programs providing a range of services to students who need assistanceWIF Wireless Innovation Fund WWC What Works Clearinghouse

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GeneralAMNPO Advanced Manufacturing National Program OfficeAMP Advanced Manufacturing PartnershipASEE American Society for Engineering EducationBAA Broad Agency AnnouncementBRAIN Brain Research through Advancing Innovative NeurotechnologiesCA Congressional addCFDA Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance NumberCMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (electronics)COE Center of ExcellenceCSI Congressional Special InterestDHS Department of Homeland SecurityDNI Director of National IntelligenceDOC Department of CommerceDOD Department of DefenseDOE Department of EnergyDoEd Department of Education (alternative)DoI Department of InteriorDOJ Department of JusticeED Department of Education EPA Environmental Protection AgencyEPSCoR Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research FAA Federal Aviation AdministrationFBO Federal Business OpportunityFDA Food and Drug AdministrationFFO Federal Funding OpportunityFFDRC Federally Funded Research and Development CenterFHWA Federal Highway AdministrationFOA Funding Opportunity AnnouncementFY Fiscal Year (1 Oct to 30 Sep for Federal government)HBCU/MI Historically Black Colleges/Universities and Minority InstitutionsHTM Hierarchical Temporal MemoryIHE Institutions of Higher EducationIMI Institute for Manufacturing InnovationINTEL The various agencies that gather intelligenceIR Infra-RedIT Information TechnologyIWG Interagency Working GroupMAPS Mission Agency Program Summary (provided by USC Res. Adv.)MEMS/NEMS Micro- Nano-ElectroMechanical SystemsMRL Manufacturing Readiness LevelNASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration NDI/E Non-Destructive Inspection/EvaluationNIST National Institute for Standards and Technology (in DOC)NNMI National Network for Manufacturing InnovationNOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (in DOC)NOFO Notice of Funding OpportunityNRC National Research Council

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NRI Nanoelectronics Research InitiativeNRO National Reconnaissance OfficeNSA National Security AgencyNSF National Science FoundationNSTC National Science and Technology CouncilNTIA National Telecommunications and Information AdministrationOMB Office of Management and BudgetOPM Office of Personnel ManagementORAU Oak Ridge Associated UniversitiesOSD Office of the Secretary of DefenseOSTP Office of Science and Technology Policy (White House)PBR President’s Budget Request (submitted to Congress)PCAST President’s Council of Advisors on Science and TechnologyPTSD Post-traumatic Stress SyndromeRD&I Research, Development and InnovationRDT&E Research, Development, Test and EvaluationRF Radio-frequencyRFA Request for ApplicationS&T Science and TechnologySBIR Small Business Innovative ResearchSME Subject Matter ExpertSN Special NoticeSTEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (education)STTR Small Business Technology TransferTBA To be announcedTBI Traumatic Brain InjuryTRL Technology Readiness LevelUARC University Affiliated Research CenterUSDA US Department of AgricultureYIP Young Investigator Program

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