OSERS-OSEP: National Assessment Center, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.326G
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- ED-GRANTS-052026-001
- Agency
-
Department of Education
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $1,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Education
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
-
- Kristen Rhoads kristen.rhoads@ed.gov (202) 987-0153
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services is soliciting applications for a cooperative agreement to establish a National Assessment Center improving children with disabilities' participation in and performance on State and districtwide assessments, with applications due July 20, 2026. This is a single-award competition with no cost-sharing requirement.
Eligible applicants include State educational agencies, State lead agencies under IDEA Part C, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, other public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, freely associated States and outlying areas, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, and for-profit organizations. The estimated available funds total $1,000,000, with a maximum award of $1,000,000 per single 12-month budget period. The project period extends up to 60 months.
The Center must serve children with disabilities ages 3–21, including those with the most significant cognitive disabilities. A competitive preference priority offering up to 7 additional points addresses supporting States with developing, implementing, and scaling improved alternate assessments using adaptive technologies.
The five selection criteria, weighted at 35 points for Quality of Project Design, 20 points for Quality of Evaluation, 20 points for Quality of Management Plan, 15 points for Adequacy of Resources, and 10 points for Significance, drive the competitive review. Grantees must involve individuals with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities in planning, implementing, and evaluating the project and collect annual performance data on four program performance measures related to product quality, relevance, usefulness, and cost efficiency.
The award is funded under the Special Education Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program (CFDA 84.326, ALN 84.326G) and aligns to IDEA section 612(a)(16) and section 663(b)(2) requirements.
Synopsis
Program Description: The purpose of this grant competition is to establish a National Assessment Center to improve children with disabilities' participation in and performance on State and districtwide assessments. This award is funded under the Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program. The goal of this program is to promote academic achievement and to improve results for children with disabilities by providing technical assistance (TA), supporting model demonstration projects, disseminating useful information, and implementing activities supported by scientifically based research.
This award aligns to requirements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Specifically, section 612(a)(16) requires that all children with disabilities are included with appropriate accommodations in general State and districtwide assessments as indicated in their individualized education programs, including assessments described under section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and alternate assessments. Many States have also adopted kindergarten entry assessments to assess multiple developmental domains and support early learning. Additionally, Section 663(b)(2) of IDEA requires that the Secretary use funds to support activities to improve the participation of children with disabilities in State assessments.
ALN: 84.326G.
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.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FY26 84.326G National Assessment Center Application Notice and Instructions.pdf |
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