FY26 84.327N NCAEV Application Notice and Instructions.pdf

U.S. Department of Education (ED)

National Center for Accessible Education Videos

Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.327N

Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Grant Competition Posted April 27, 2026

Contents Program Information

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Costs

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Program Description

Priorities

Selection Criteria

Performance Measures

General Requirements

Application Submission Information

Application Review Information

Award Requirements

Application Checklist

Program Information The purpose of the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities Program is designed to improve results for children with disabilities by (1) promoting the development, demonstration, and use of technology; (2) supporting educational activities designed to be of educational value in the classroom for students with disabilities; (3) providing support for captioning and video description that is appropriate for use in the classroom; and

(4) providing accessible educational materials to students with disabilities in a timely manner.

In alignment with the requirements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this competition establishes a National Center on Accessible Education Videos. Specifically, section 674(c) requires, in part, that the Secretary of Education support video and audio description, open captioning, and closed captioning, which is appropriate for use in early learning and kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) settings of (a) television programs, (b) videos, and (c) other materials, including programs and

1 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1820-0028. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 26.5 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing materials associated with new and emerging technologies. Additionally, this section requires support of distributing such materials through such mechanisms as a loan service.

ALN: 84.327N.

OMB Control Number: 1820–0028.1

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1474 and 1481 - 1482.

Note: The projects that will be awarded must be operated in a manner consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal civil rights laws.

For further information contact: Eric Caruso.

Telephone: (202) 987-0151. Email:

Eric.Caruso@ed.gov.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.

Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.

Estimated Available Funds: $2,600,000.

Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $2,600,000 for a single budget period of 12 months.

Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain a benefit (P.L. 108-446, Sec. 650 and 682). If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please email ICDocketMgr@ed.gov.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title20/pdf/USCODE-2024-title20-chap33-subchapIV-partC-sec1474.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title20/pdf/USCODE-2024-title20-chap33-subchapIV-partD-sec1481.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title20/pdf/USCODE-2024-title20-chap33-subchapIV-partD-sec1482.pdf mailto:Eric.Caruso@ed.gov mailto:ICDocketMgr@ed.gov

Project Period: Up to 60 months.

Application Deadline: June 26, 2026.

Note: This application notice and instructions document is the official document governing the grant competition.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants State educational agencies; State lead agencies under Part C of IDEA; local educational agencies (LEAs), including public charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law; institutions of higher education (IHEs), including community colleges; other public agencies; private nonprofit organizations; freely associated States and outlying areas;

Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations; and for-profit organizations.

Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant’s certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

Costs Cost Sharing

This program does not require cost sharing or matching.

Indirect Cost Rate Information

This program uses an unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see this webpage.

Administrative Cost Limitation

This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses.

All administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.51 http://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ofo#Indirect-Cost-Division https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E

Subgrantees

Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under this competition may award subgrants— to directly carry out project activities described in its application—to the following types of entities: IHEs (including community colleges), nonprofit organizations suitable to carry out the activities proposed in the application, and other public agencies. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application or that it selects through a competition under procedures established by the grantee, consistent with 34 CFR 75.708(b)(2).

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Applications Available April 27, 2026 Application Deadline June 26, 2026 Deadline for Intergovernmental Review August 25, 2026

Applicants are required to follow the 2025 Common Instructions and Information for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42234) and available at ED 2025 Common Instructions.

Note: For new potential grantees unfamiliar with grantmaking at ED, please consult our “Getting Started with Discretionary Grant Applications” webpage.

Program Description

Priorities Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.

553), ED generally offers interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priority in this notice.

This notice contains one absolute priority. For FY 2026 and any subsequent year in which ED makes awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is an absolute priority.

Absolute Priority: ED considers only applications that meet the absolute priority.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-75/subpart-F/subject-group-ECFR26af177f71bc305/section-75.708 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-75/subpart-F/subject-group-ECFR26af177f71bc305/section-75.708 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-75/subpart-F/subject-group-ECFR26af177f71bc305/section-75.708 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant http://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/apply-grant/getting-started-discretionary-grant-applications https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/5/553 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/5/553

Absolute Priority Title Required Priority Language National Center for Accessible Education Videos

Yes Projects or proposals to support the distribution and production of the materials described in section 674(c)(1)(B) of the IDEA, which requires that the Secretary of Education support audio description, open captioning, and closed captioning, which is appropriate for use in early learning and kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) settings of (a) television programs, (b) videos, or (c) other materials, including programs and materials associated with new and emerging technologies.

Priority Program Requirements:

The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative agreement to establish and operate a National Center for Accessible Education Videos (Center). This Center will oversee the selection, acquisition, captioning, audio description, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, and distribution of educational media and materials through a free, online loan service site for eligible users. 2

The project must achieve, at a minimum, the following expected outcomes:

(a) Increased acquisition of captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials disseminated through a free, online loan service site for eligible users;

(b) Increased number of high-quality captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials for children and youth with disabilities;

(c) Increased capacity of early childhood providers, K-12 educators, faculty, preservice providers, and families to access and support the use of captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials; and

(d) Increased use of captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials by children and youth with disabilities and families.

2 For purposes of this priority, “eligible users” are defined as children and youth in early childhood and kindergarten through grade 12 (K–12) settings who have hearing or vision impairments and individuals, such as early childhood providers, K-12 educators, and parents, who are directly involved in these children and youth’s early childhood or K–12 classroom instruction. To be eligible to use the accessible products and materials in the accessible platform, children and youth with disabilities must meet the criteria for “eligible person” in the Copyright Act of the United States, at 17 U.S.C. 121. For more information, visit www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#121.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title17/pdf/USCODE-2010-title17-chap1-sec121.pdf http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#121

Priority Application Requirements:

In addition, to be considered for funding under this priority, applicants must meet the following requirements:

(a) In the narrative section of the application under “Significance”—

(1) Use applicable national, State, regional, or local data to demonstrate how the Center will address the needs of children and youth with disabilities to access captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials;

and

(2) Describe how the Center will increase early childhood providers, K-12 educators, faculty, preservice educators, and families’ knowledge and understanding of the benefits, services, or opportunities that are available to children and youth with disabilities by using captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials in early childhood and K-12 settings, including face-to-face, online, and hybrid.

(b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under “Quality of the project design,” how the proposed project will—

(1) Develop or enhance an online loan service site of captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials that is free for eligible users. To meet this requirement, the applicant must describe how they will provide secure access to a site that meets or exceeds current industry standards for accessibility and provides on-demand captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials;

(2) Select educational media and materials that are of high educational value but not currently accessible, and work with media producers and distributors to obtain the rights to produce captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted versions of these educational media and materials;

(3) Lead coordination with the Accessible Education Video Projects (84.327C) to identify educational media and materials that are of high educational value but not currently accessible, and acquire captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials produced by these projects;

(4) Appropriately and ethically use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to support the efficient development and use of high-quality captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials, and to deliver technical assistance services that is of sufficient intensity and duration to achieve the intended outcomes of the project;

Note: Review this ED guidance on the use of Federal grant funds to improve education outcomes using AI and the principles for responsible use of AI.

(5) Describe the training, support, and resources the project proposes to make available to support faculty who prepare preservice early childhood providers and K- 12 educators, early childhood providers, K-12 educators, and families in accessing and using captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational media and materials for children and youth with disabilities; and

(6) Describe the strategy to support early childhood providers, K-12 educators, and families to use AI to develop captioned, audio described, and ASL interpreted educational content in media and materials for individual children;

(7) Systematically disseminate information, products, and services to varied intended audiences. To address this requirement the applicant must describe the strategies the project will utilize to promote awareness and use of its products and services and how its products and communications will meet or exceed government or industry-recognized standards for accessibility.

(c) In the narrative section of the application under “Quality of the project evaluation or other evidence-building,” describe how the project will develop the evaluation. The evaluation plan must—

(1) Describe how the project will measure the extent to which the project’s products and services reached intended recipients, including feedback from recipients on how recipients accessed and used the products and services; and

(2) Describe the approach for analyzing data and how data collected as part of this plan will be used to inform and improve service delivery over the course of the project and to refine the proposed logic model and evaluation plan, including subsequent data collection;

(d) Address the following application requirements. The applicant must—

(1) Include in Appendix A; personnel-loading charts and timelines, as applicable, to illustrate the management plan described in the narrative; and an assurance to assist OSEP with the transfer of pertinent resources and products and to maintain the continuity of services to users during the transition to a new award at the end of this award period, as appropriate.

https://www.ed.gov/media/document/opepd-ai-dear-colleague-letter-7222025-110427.pdf

(2) Provide an assurance that the project will engage doctoral students or post-doctoral fellows in the project to increase the number of future leaders in the field who are knowledgeable about the project’s accessible resources for children and youth with disabilities; and

(3) Ensure that annual project progress toward meeting project goals is posted on the project website.

Selection Criteria The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows:

(a) Significance (10 points). The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project. In determining the significance of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(1) The extent to which the specific nature and magnitude of gaps or challenges are identified and the extent to which these gaps or challenges will be addressed by the services, supports, infrastructure, or opportunities described in the proposed project.

(2) The extent to which the resources, tools, and implementation lessons of the proposed project will be disseminated in ways to the target population and local community that will enable them and others (including practitioners, researchers, education leaders, and partners) to implement similar strategies.

(b) Quality of the project design (35 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified, measurable, and ambitious yet achievable within the project period, and aligned with the purposes of the grant program.

(2) The quality of the logic model or other conceptual framework underlying the proposed project, including how inputs are related to outcomes.

(3) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project reflect up-to-date knowledge and an evidence-based3 project component.

3 For the purposes of this priority, “evidence-based practices” means practices that, at a minimum, demonstrate a rationale (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1), where a key project component included in the project’s logic model is informed by research or evaluation findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve relevant outcomes.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.210 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-77/section-77.1

(4) The extent to which the training or professional development services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient quality, intensity, and duration to build recipient and project capacity in ways that lead to improvements in practice among the recipients of those services.

(5) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project involve the use of efficient strategies, including the use of technology, as appropriate, and the leveraging of non-project resources.

(c) Quality of the project evaluation or other evidence-building (20 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation or other evidence-building of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the evaluation or other evidence-building, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation or other evidence-building are thorough, feasible, relevant, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the proposed project.

(2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation or other evidence-building will provide performance feedback and provide formative, diagnostic, or interim data that is a periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes.

(3) The extent to which the methods of evaluation or other evidence-building include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and will produce quality data that are quantitative and qualitative.

(4) The extent to which the evaluation plan includes a dissemination strategy that is likely to promote others' learning from the project.

(d) Adequacy of resources (15 points). The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed project. In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(1) The adequacy of support for the project, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from the applicant or the lead applicant organization.

(2) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the proposed project and the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.

(e) Quality of the management plan (20 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(1) The feasibility of the management plan to achieve project objectives and goals on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project tasks.

(2) The extent to which the time commitments of the project director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project.

(3) The extent to which the project director or principal investigator, when hired, has the qualifications required for the project, including formal training or work experience in fields related to the objectives of the project and experience in designing, managing, or implementing similar projects for the target population to be served by the project.

(4) The extent to which the key personnel in the project, when hired, have the qualifications required for the proposed project, including formal training or work experience in fields related to the objectives of the project, and represent or have lived experiences of the target population.

(5) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality and accessible products and services from the proposed project for the target population.

Performance Measures ED has developed the following performance measures that are designed to yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and quality of the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities (ETechM2) program, and for the purposes of reporting to ED under 34 CFR 75.110.

Applications must describe:

The data collection and reporting methods the applicant would use and why those methods are likely to yield reliable, valid, and meaningful performance data.

The applicant’s capacity to collect and report reliable, valid, and meaningful performance data, as evidenced by high-quality data collection, analysis, and reporting in other projects or research.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.110

Performance Measure Description Program Performance Measure 1 The percentage of ETechM2 products and services judged to be of high quality by an independent review panel of experts qualified to review the substantial content of the products and services.

Program Performance Measure 2 The percentage of ETechM2 products and services judged to be of high relevance to improving outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.

Program Performance Measure 3 The percentage of ETechM2 products and services judged to be useful in improving results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.

Program Performance Measure 4.1 The Federal cost per unit of accessible educational materials funded by the ETechM2 Program.

Program Performance Measure 4.3 The Federal cost per unit of video description funded by the ETechM2 Program.

Each grantee funded under this competition must collect and annually report data related to its performance on these measures in the project’s annual and final performance report to ED in accordance with section 653(d) of IDEA and 34 CFR 75.590. Applicants should discuss in the application narrative how they propose to collect performance data for these measures.

General Requirements

(a) Recipients of funding under this competition must make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).

(b) Applicants for, and recipients of, funding must, with respect to the aspects of their proposed project relating to the absolute priority, involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning, implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of IDEA).

Application Submission Information Competition Resources

Resources specific to this competition will be available at the 84.327N Grant Competition webpage.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.590 https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/grants-special-education-and-individuals-disabilities/ed-tech-media-and-materials-individuals-disabilities/84.327N https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/grants-special-education-and-individuals-disabilities/ed-tech-media-and-materials-individuals-disabilities/84.327N

Registration

To apply, you must first be registered in two systems: SAM.gov and Grants.gov. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up to date.

Grants.gov registration involves several steps, including registration on SAM.gov. You may begin working on your application while completing the registration process, but you cannot apply until all registration steps are complete. Once your SAM registration is active, it will take 24-48 hours for the information to become available in Grants.gov. For detailed information on the registration steps, please go to: Grants.gov Applicant Registration.

Please note that your organization will need to update its SAM registration annually.

ED strongly recommends that you do not wait until the last day to submit your application.

Grants.gov will put a date/time stamp on your application and then process it after it is fully uploaded. If Grants.gov rejects your application, you will need to resubmit successfully to Grants.gov before 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.

You must provide the Unique-Entity ID (UEI) on your application that was used when you registered as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) on Grants.gov. This UEI is assigned to your organization in SAM at the time your organization registers in SAM. If you do not enter the UEI assigned by SAM on your application, Grants.gov will reject your application.

SAM.gov

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process early.

To register, go to SAM.gov and click on " Get Started."

Click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register in SAM.gov.

If you need help, you can call 866-606-8220 or live chat with the Federal Service Desk.

Grants.gov

You must also have an active account with Grants.gov.

To register, go to Grants.gov and click “Register.” When ready, click on “Get Registered Now” and complete the required fields.

For more information or assistance, click on “Applicant Registration Page.”

http://www.sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/entity-registration https://sam.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/entity-checklist.pdf https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/register https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/register.faces?INITIAL_LOAD=true https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/register.faces?INITIAL_LOAD=true https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

A Grants.gov applicant must apply online using Workspace, a shared environment in Grants.gov where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. The Grants.gov website contains further instructions on how to apply.

Intergovernmental Review

This is subject to Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. One of the objectives of Executive Order 12372 is to strengthen federalism – or the distribution of responsibility between localities, States, and the Federal government – by fostering intergovernmental partnerships. This idea includes supporting processes that State or local governments have developed to coordinate and review proposed Federal financial grant applications. Grant applicants need to contact State Single Points of Contact (SPOC) for information on their State’s procedures. Multi- State applicants should follow procedures specific to each State. Further information about the SPOC and the official list of entities can be found online.

Verify Submission

Verify that Grants.gov received your application submission on time and that it was validated successfully. To see the date/time your application was received, log in to Grants.gov and click on the Track My Application link. For a successful submission, the date/time received should be earlier than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the deadline date, AND the application status should be: Validated, Received by Agency, or Agency Tracking Number Assigned. Once ED receives your application from Grants.gov, an Agency Tracking Number (PR/award number) will be assigned to your application and will be available for viewing on Grants.gov’s Track My Application link.

If the date/time received is later than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date, your application is late. If your application has a status of “Received,” it is still awaiting validation by Grants.gov. Once validation is complete, the status will either change to “Validated” or “Rejected with Errors.” If the status is “Rejected with Errors,” your application has not been received successfully. Some of the reasons Grants.gov may reject an application can be found online.

For more detailed information on troubleshooting Adobe errors, you can review the Adobe Reader Software Tip Sheet. If you discover your application is late or has been rejected, please see the instructions below. Note: You will receive a series of confirmations both online and via e-mail about the status of your application. Please do not rely solely on e-mail to confirm whether your application has been received timely and validated successfully.

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-79 https://www.ojp.gov/IntergovernmentalReviewSPOCList.pdf https://www.grants.gov/applicants/encountering-error-messages https://www.grants.gov/applicants/encountering-error-messages https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility

Helpful Hints When Working with Grants.gov

Please go to Grants.gov support page for help. For additional tips related to submitting grant applications, please refer to the Grants.gov Applicant FAQs as well as additional information on Workspace.

Submission Problems – What should you do?

If you have problems submitting to Grants.gov before the closing date, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726 or via email at: support@grants.gov. You may also access the Grants.gov Self- Service Knowledge Base web portal.

Application Review Information Review and Selection Process: ED reminds potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217, information outside the rank order of applications, including: the information in each application; and any other information--

(a) Relevant to a criterion, priority, or other requirement that applies to the selection of applications for new grants;

(b) Concerning the applicant’s performance and use of funds under a previous award under any ED program; and

(c) Concerning the applicant’s failure under any ED program to submit a performance report or its submission of a performance report of unacceptable quality.

Before making awards, ED staff will screen applications submitted in accordance with the requirements in this notice to determine whether applications have met eligibility and other requirements, including whether an application may fail to meet the “Terms and Conditions” applicable to awarded funds referenced elsewhere within this notice. This screening process may occur at various stages of the review and selection process.

Applicants that are determined to be ineligible will not receive a grant, regardless of whether the application was included in the peer review process. Applications not selected for funding will be informed of the Secretary’s decision in accordance with 34 CFR 75.218.

Peer reviewers will read, prepare a written evaluation of, and score the assigned applications, using the selection criteria provided in this notice.

In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit https://www.grants.gov/support https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-faqs https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.217#p-75.217(d)(3) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.217#p-75.217(d)(3) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.218 discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from ED (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

Award Requirements

Terms and Conditions

If you are awarded a grant under this competition, you must ensure and may be required to demonstrate that Federal funds will not be used under this project in any manner that violates the United States Constitution, Title VI or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq. or 42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.), the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. 7905), section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1011f), or other applicable Federal law.

Please note the provisions of Executive Orders 14151, 14168, 14173, and 14190 as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s July 29, 2025, non-regulatory “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination,” which clarifies the application of Federal antidiscrimination laws to programs or initiatives that may involve discriminatory practices, including those labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) programs.

Such activities may risk violating Federal civil rights laws and may jeopardize Federal funding. This includes any discriminatory equity ideology in violation of a Federal anti-discrimination law. A definition of “discriminatory equity ideology” is contained in Section 2(b) of Executive Order 14190. To the extent that any entity receiving grant funds under this grant uses those grant funds for such unallowable activities, ED reserves the right to take appropriate enforcement actions, including the recovery of grant funds or may pursue termination or non-continuation. The Grant Award Notification document accompanying your award may contain further terms and conditions, as necessary, to ensure grantee compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and administrative priorities.

Applicable Regulations

(a) The Education Department General Administrative in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of ED in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Guidance for https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-100.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-100.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-104.5 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-106.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-108.8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-110.23 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/2000d https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/2000d https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/2000e https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/1681 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/29/794 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/6101 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/12131 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/7905 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/1011f https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1409486/dl https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1409486/dl https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-75 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-77 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-79 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-81 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-82 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-84 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-86 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-97 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-98 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-99 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-180 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-3485

Federal Financial Assistance in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of ED in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The Advancing Artificial Intelligence Supplemental Priority.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.

Continuation Awards

In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 75.253, ED considers, among other things:

whether a grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if ED has established performance measurement requirements, whether the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the performance targets in the grantee’s approved application, or whether the continuation of the project is in the best interest of the Federal Government.

In making a continuation award, ED also considers whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from ED (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23). In making any continuation award determination, ED may consider all relevant information.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-3474 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-79 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-86 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.253 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-100.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-104.5 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-106.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-108.8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-110.23

Application Checklist The application will require you to fill out several forms, which are listed and linked in Grants.gov. See below for a description of forms and sections:

1. Standard Documents

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

ED Supplemental Information for SF-424

2. Budget Information

ED Budget Information Non-Construction Programs (ED Form 524)

3. ED Abstract Form

Project Abstract

4. Project Narrative

Application Narrative (Project Narrative Attachment Form)

5. Budget Narrative

Budget Narrative Attachment Form

6. Other Attachment Forms

Individual Resumes for Project Director & Key Personnel

Documentation of Nonprofit Status

7. Assurances and Certifications

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL)

Grants.gov Lobbying Form

Part 1: Standard Documents

❑ Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

Note: Please do not attach any narratives, supporting files, or application components to the SF-424 in Part I. Although this form accepts attachments, that option should not be used.

❑ ED Supplemental Information for SF-424

These forms require basic identifying information about the applicant and the application. Please provide all requested applicant information (including name, address, e-mail address and Unique Entity ID (UEI)). When applying electronically via Grants.gov, you will need to ensure that the UEI on your application is the same as the UEI your organization used when it registered with the System for Award Management.

Applicants are advised to complete the Application for Federal Assistance (Form SF-424) first. Grants.gov will automatically insert the correct Assistance Listing Number and program name automatically wherever needed on other forms.

Please do not attach any narratives, supporting files, or application components to the Standard Form (SF-424). Although this form accepts attachments, ED will only review materials/files attached in accordance with the instructions provided within this application.

For more information, review the instructions online.

Part 2: Budget Information

❑ ED Budget Information Non-Construction Programs (ED Form 524)

This part of your application contains information about the Federal funding you are requesting. Remember that you must provide all requested budget information for each year of the project and the total column in order to be considered for Federal funding. Specific instructions for completing the budget forms are provided within this application package.

Applicants must provide a summary of requested Federal funds for each line-item category included on the worksheet. Applicants should provide dollar amounts for all requested years of the desired grant award. Example form can be found here.

Instructions for completing ED Form 524 Section A:

• Name of Institution/Organization: Enter the name of the applicant in the space provided.

• Personnel (line 1): Enter project personnel salaries and wages only. Include fees and expenses for consultants on line 6.

• Fringe Benefits (line 2): The institution’s normal fringe benefits contribution may be charged to the program. Leave this line blank if fringe benefits applicable to direct salaries and wages are treated as part of the indirect cost.

• Travel (line 3): Indicate the travel costs of employees and participants only. it is permissible to include travel for a two-day project directors’ conference in Washington, DC, in each year of the project. Include travel of persons such as consultants on line 6.

• Equipment (line 4): Indicate the cost of tangible, non-expendable personal property that has a usefulness greater than one year and acquisition costs that are the lesser of the capitalization level established by the applicant entity for https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.ed.gov/media/document/ed-524-form-budget-information-non-construction-programs financial statement purposes or $10,000 per article. Lower limits may be established to maintain consistency with the applicant’s policy.

• Supplies (line 5): Show all tangible, expendable personal property. Direct supplies and materials differ from equipment in that they are consumable, expendable, and of a relatively low unit cost. Supplies purchased with grant funds should directly benefit the grant project and be necessary for achieving the goals of the project.

• Contractual (line 6): The contractual category should include all costs specifically incurred with actions that the applicant takes in conjunction with an established internal procurement system. Include consultant fees, expenses, and travel costs in this category if the consultant’s services are obtained through a written binding agreement or contract.

• Construction (line 7): Construction funds are not authorized.

• Other (line 8): Indicate all direct costs not covered on lines 1-6. For example, include costs such as space rental, required fees, honoraria and travel (where a contract is not in place for services), training, and communication and printing costs. Include an annual set-aside of five percent of the grant amount to support emerging needs that are consistent with the proposed project’s intended outcomes. Do not include costs that are included in the indirect cost rate.

• Total Direct Costs (line 9): The sum of lines 1-8.

• Indirect Costs (line 10): Indicate the applicant’s approved indirect cost rate, per 34 CFR 75.560-564. If an applicant does not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement with a cognizant Federal agency, the applicant must apply to ED for a temporary indirect cost rate if it wishes to charge indirect costs to the grant. For more information, go to ED’s website. In addition, a grantee, if it is eligible, may also use de minimis rate as provided for under 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Training Stipends (line 11): Include all applicable training stipends.

• Total Cost (line 12): This should equal to sum of lines 9-11 (total direct costs + indirect + stipends). The sum for column one, labeled Project Year 1 (a), should also be equal to item 15a on the application cover sheet (SF Form 424).

Section B: Non-Federal Funding Summary

If you are required to provide or volunteer to provide cost-sharing or matching funds or other non-Federal resources to the project, these should be shown for each applicable budget category on lines 1-11 of Section B.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-75/subject-group-ECFRbcd9b7674b344f2 https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ofo#Indirect-Cost-Division https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414

Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e): For each project year, for which matching funds or other contributions are provided, show the total contribution for each applicable budget category.

Lines 1-11, column (h): Show the multi-year total for each budget category. If non- Federal contributions are provided for only one year, leave this column blank.

Line 12, columns (a)-(e): Show the total matching or other contribution for each project year.

Line 12, column (h): Show the total amount to be contributed for all years of the multi-year project. If non-Federal contributions are provided for only one year, leave this space blank.

Part 3: ED Abstract Form

For the application Abstract, applicants should use the template located on the 84.327N Grant Competition webpage.

Ensure that you only attach the ED-approved file types detailed in the 2025 Common Instructions.

Part 4: Project Narrative

This section should be attached as a single document to the Project Narrative Attachment Form and should be organized in the following manner and include the following parts in order to expedite the review process.

Ensure that you only attach the Education approved file types detailed in the 2025 Common Instructions.

❑ Table of Contents

The Table of Contents shows where and how the important sections of your proposal are organized and should not exceed one double-spaced page.

❑ Application Narrative

ED encourages applicants to limit this section of the application to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages. The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances and certifications; or the abstract (follow the guidance provided in the application package for completing the abstract), the table of contents, the list of priority requirements, the resumes, the reference list, the letters of support, or the appendices. However, the recommended page limit does apply to the application narrative, including all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.

https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/grants-special-education-and-individuals-disabilities/ed-tech-media-and-materials-individuals-disabilities/84.327N https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/grants-special-education-and-individuals-disabilities/ed-tech-media-and-materials-individuals-disabilities/84.327N https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant

Part 5: Budget Narrative

This section should be attached as a single document to the Budget Narrative Attachment Form. It should be organized in the following manner and include the following parts in order to expedite the review process. Ensure that you attach the Education approved file types detailed in the 2025 Common Instructions.

Each application must also provide a Budget Narrative (which serves to meet the requirements of ED Form 524, Section C) for requested Federal funds. The Budget Narrative for requested Federal funds should provide a justification of how the money requested for each budget item will be spent.

This section requires an itemized budget breakdown for each project year and the basis for estimating the costs of personnel salaries, benefits, project staff travel,…