OSERS-OSEP: National Technical Assistance Center for Postsecondary Education and Training for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Assistance Listing Number 84.326D

The Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services is soliciting applications for a single cooperative agreement to establish a National Technical Assistance Center for Postsecondary Education and Training for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, with an application deadline of July 30, 2026 and a maximum award of $4 million per 12-month budget period.

Eligible applicants include state educational agencies, 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. No cost share is required. The competition offers $4 million in total funding distributed across three Department programs: $1.3 million from Technical Assistance and Dissemination, $1.7 million from Personnel Development, and $1 million from Educational Technology, Media, and Materials. One award is anticipated with a project period extending up to 60 months.

The absolute priority requires applicants to establish and operate the National Technical Assistance Center with four minimum expected outcomes: increased numbers of deaf and hard of hearing individuals admitted to and completing postsecondary education and employment training; increased organizational capacity to collaboratively implement evidence-based practices; increased capacity to collect, share, and analyze data on postsecondary outcomes; and increased knowledge on utilizing technology to provide accommodations.

Selection criteria evaluate significance, quality of project design, quality of evaluation, adequacy of resources, and quality of the management plan on a 100-point maximum scale. Applications must include a project narrative not exceeding 50 pages, ED Form 524 budget documentation, an abstract, budget narrative, resumes, letters of support, and assurances and certifications. Submissions are due by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time and require prior registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov. The intergovernmental review deadline is September 28, 2026. The funding derives from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requirement that the Secretary provide annually at least $4 million for postsecondary, vocational, technical, continuing, and adult education needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Assistance Listing 84.326D.