Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 080626 004
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES), through its National Center for Education Research (NCER), is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking" (Assistance Listing Number 84.305S). The core purpose of this program is to help states make better education decisions by using their statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) to generate solid evidence about what is working, for whom, and under what conditions. In practical terms, the program is meant to strengthen how state agencies and their local education agencies use linked, long-term data to guide program improvements and policy choices that expand learners access to high-quality education and improve academic outcomes.
This competition is designed for applicants that can credibly carry out rigorous research, not just basic reporting or descriptive dashboards. While the eligible applicant pool is broad, the emphasis is on demonstrated capacity to do high-quality, methodologically sound work using longitudinal data. Eligible applicants include state agencies that oversee education programs and policies, as well as nonprofit and for-profit organizations and public or private institutions such as colleges and universities. Even when the applicant is not itself a state agency, the project must be grounded in a real state policy or program question, with the relevant state authority formally included.
A key requirement is that every application must include the state agency (or an eligible state postsecondary system) that is responsible for the education issue, program, or policy being studied. This is not optional: the state partner is central because the work is intended to directly inform state-level decisions and implementation. The eligible state agency could be the State Educational Agency (SEA) responsible for K-12, but it could also be another state entity overseeing a specific education sector, including prekindergarten, career and technical education, postsecondary education, or adult education. A state postsecondary system can also serve in the state agency role when the policy focus is in higher education.
The program structure allows flexibility in how partnerships are formed. State agencies can apply on their own, or they can apply together with research organizations such as universities or research firms. Partnerships can also include other appropriate organizations, including other state agencies or local educational agencies, depending on what entities hold the relevant data, administer the program being evaluated, or are positioned to act on the findings. This collaborative emphasis reflects the reality that impactful longitudinal research often requires coordinated access to data, subject-matter expertise, and a clear pathway for translating results into policy action.
From the funding details provided, the opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of Education, with the opportunity number ED GRANTS 080626 004 and a listed award ceiling of $1,200,000. The original closing date is 2026-10-01, and the opportunity was created on 2026-08-06. The listing indicates it is a grant-funded discretionary program in the education activity category under CFDA/ALN 84.305. While the number of expected awards is not specified in the provided text, applicants should assume a competitive process where the strength of the research design, feasibility of accessing and using SLDS data, and the clarity of the policy relevance and decision-making use case will matter heavily.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as an applied research and evidence-building program: it supports states and their research partners in using SLDS infrastructure to answer pressing policy questions, evaluate programs, and produce actionable findings that can directly shape state and local education policymaking across multiple education sectors.Apply for ED GRANTS 080626 004
- The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Education Research (NCER): Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305S" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.305.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking (ALN 84.305S)
What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant competition from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), National Center for Education Research (NCER), titled "Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking" (Assistance Listing Number 84.305S). It supports applied, policy-relevant research using statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs).
What is the main purpose of the program?
The purpose is to help states make better education decisions by using linked, long-term data to generate credible evidence about what is working, for whom, and under what conditions. The intent is to strengthen how state agencies and local education agencies use longitudinal data to guide program improvement and policy choices that expand access to high-quality education and improve academic outcomes.
What types of work does this competition emphasize?
The competition emphasizes rigorous research rather than basic reporting. Applications are expected to propose methodologically sound studies that use SLDS data to answer real state policy or program questions and produce actionable findings for decision-making.
Is this funding meant for dashboards or descriptive reporting?
No. The opportunity is designed for applicants that can credibly carry out rigorous research, not just basic reporting or descriptive dashboards.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant pool is broad and includes state agencies that oversee education programs and policies, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and public or private institutions such as colleges and universities. Regardless of who applies, the work must be grounded in a real state policy or program question and include the relevant state authority as a formal partner.
Is a state agency partner required?
Yes. Every application must include the state agency (or an eligible state postsecondary system) responsible for the education issue, program, or policy being studied. This requirement is not optional; the state partner is central to the program because the work is intended to directly inform state-level decisions and implementation.
What kinds of state entities can serve as the required state partner?
The required state partner could be a State Educational Agency (SEA) responsible for K-12, or another state entity overseeing a specific education sector. Examples named in the opportunity include entities overseeing prekindergarten, career and technical education, postsecondary education, or adult education. A state postsecondary system can also serve in the state agency role when the policy focus is in higher education.
Can a state agency apply by itself?
Yes. State agencies can apply on their own under this program structure.
Can universities, research firms, or other organizations be part of the project?
Yes. State agencies can apply together with research organizations such as universities or research firms. Partnerships can also include other appropriate organizations, including other state agencies or local educational agencies, depending on which entities hold relevant data, administer the program being studied, or are positioned to act on the findings.
If a university or nonprofit is the applicant, can it apply without a state agency?
No. Even when the applicant is not itself a state agency, the project must include the relevant state authority formally. The state agency (or eligible state postsecondary system) is required in every application.
What data systems are expected to be used?
The program is centered on statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) and the use of linked, long-term education data to support evaluation and policymaking.
What education sectors can the research focus on?
The opportunity allows research across multiple education sectors, including K-12, prekindergarten, career and technical education, postsecondary education, and adult education, as long as the work is tied to a state policy or program question and includes the responsible state entity.
What makes an application competitive based on the information provided?
Based on the provided description, competitiveness is likely to depend heavily on the strength of the research design, the feasibility of accessing and using SLDS data, and the clarity of the policy relevance and decision-making use case (how findings will inform state-level decisions and implementation).
Who is the funding agency?
The opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of Education through the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), National Center for Education Research (NCER).
What is the Assistance Listing Number (ALN) for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing Number is 84.305S (under CFDA/ALN 84.305).
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is ED GRANTS 080626 004.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $1,200,000.
How many awards will be made?
The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided information.
What type of grant is this?
This is a grant-funded discretionary program in the education activity category.
When is the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is 2026-10-01.
When was this opportunity posted/created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-08-06.
What is the practical outcome this program is trying to produce?
The practical goal is to produce solid, actionable evidence from longitudinal data that states can use to guide program improvements and policy choices, ultimately improving academic outcomes and expanding access to high-quality education.
Is the program more research-focused or implementation-focused?
It is best understood as an applied research and evidence-building program. The research is expected to connect directly to state policymaking and implementation by answering pressing policy questions, evaluating programs, and producing findings that can shape decisions.
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