1. ies.ed.gov Connecting Research, Policy and Practice 1 Erin Higgins, Ph.D. Program Officer National Center for Education Research Jacquelyn A. Buckley, Ph.D. Program Officer National Center for Special Education Research Basic Overview of Funding Opportunities at the Institute of Education Sciences

2. ies.ed.gov 2 Legislative Mission of IES Describe the condition and progress of education in the United States Identify education practices that improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities Evaluate the effectiveness of Federal and other education programs 2

3. ies.ed.gov 3 Organizational Structure of IES 3 National Board for Education Sciences Standards & Review Office Office of the Director National Center for Education Evaluation National Center for Education Statistics National Center for Education Research National Center for Special Education Research

4. ies.ed.gov 4 Missions of the Research Centers NCER – Supports rigorous research that addresses the nation’s most pressing education needs, from early childhood to adult education NCSER – Sponsors a rigorous and comprehensive program of special education research designed to expand the knowledge and understanding of infants, toddlers, and students with or at risk for disabilities from birth through high school 4

5. ies.ed.gov 5 Objectives of the Research Grant Programs Develop or identify education interventions (practices, programs, policies, and approaches) – that enhance academic achievement – that can be widely deployed Identify what does not work and thereby encourage innovation and further research Understand the processes that underlie the effectiveness of education interventions and the variation in their effectiveness 5

6. ies.ed.gov 6 Focus on Student Outcomes IES funds research to improve the quality of education for all students through advancing the understanding of and practices for teaching, learning, and organizing education systems Research must address student education outcomes – Academic outcomes – Social and behavioral competencies that support student success in school 6

7. ies.ed.gov 7 HOW DO I IDENTIFY THE FY 2016 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES? 7

8. ies.ed.gov 8 How to Identify Funding Opportunities Begin at the IES website (http://ies.ed.gov/funding) Sign up for the IES Newsflash Funding opportunities are announced in The Federal Register Review current Requests for Applications (RFAs) Contact relevant Program Officer(s) for the topic(s) of interest in the relevant Center 8

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15. ies.ed.gov 15 How to Identify Appropriate Grant Programs Read the Request for Applications Review announced topics and methodological requirements Look at abstracts of projects funded under a research topic or program – http://ies.ed.gov/ncer/projects – http://ies.ed.gov/ncser/projects 15

16. ies.ed.gov 16 WHAT ARE THE FY 2016 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES? 16

17. ies.ed.gov 17 84.305A Education Research Grants 84.324A Special Education Research Grants Primary Grant Programs Apply to a Research Topic and a Research Goal – Topic: Field you’ll be working in 84.305A: 10 topics 84.324A: 11 topics – Goal: Type of work you’ll be doing 17

18. ies.ed.gov 18 305A & 324A Research Topics 305A Education Research324A Special Education Research Cognition & Student LearningCASL in Special Ed Early Learning Prog & PoliciesEarly Inter & EL in Special Ed Education TechnologyTechnology for Special Ed Effective Teachers & ETPD for Teachers and RS Providers Improving Education SystemsSpecial Ed Policy, Fin, & Systems Math and Science Ed Reading and WritingRead/Write/Lang Dev Social and Behavioral CALSocial and Behavioral OSL English LearnersAutism Spectrum Disorders Postsecondary and Adult EdFamilies of Children w/Dis Trans Out for Secondary Stu w/Dis 18

19. ies.ed.gov 19 305A & 324A Research Goals 305A: Education Research324A: Special Ed Research Exploration (not in FY 2016)Development & Innovation Efficacy & Replication Effectiveness Measurement 19

20. ies.ed.gov 20 Exploration Goal Explore associations between education outcomes and malleable factors Identify factors and conditions that may mediate or moderate relations between malleable factors and student outcomes Possible methodological approaches include: – Analyze secondary data – Collect primary data – Complete a meta-analysis – Combination of above 20

21. ies.ed.gov 21 Development & Innovation Goal (FY 2016: NCSER ONLY) Develop an innovative intervention (e.g., curriculum, instructional approach, program, or policy) OR improve existing education interventions AND collect data on its feasibility, usability, and fidelity of implementation in actual education settings AND collect pilot data on student outcomes. Development process must be iterative! 21

22. ies.ed.gov 22 Efficacy & Replication Goal Evaluate whether or not a fully developed intervention is efficacious under limited or ideal conditions OR Replicate an efficacious intervention varying the original conditions OR Gather follow-up data examining the longer term effects of an intervention with demonstrated efficacy OR Analyze retrospective (historical) secondary data to test an intervention implemented in the past 22

23. ies.ed.gov 23 Effectiveness Goal Evaluate whether a fully developed intervention that has evidence of efficacy is effective when implemented under typical conditions through an independent evaluation Prior to submitting an effectiveness proposal, at least one efficacy study of the intervention with beneficial and practical impacts on student outcomes must have been completed 23

24. ies.ed.gov 24 Measurement Goal Development of new assessments or refinement of existing assessments, and the validation of these assessments OR Validation of existing assessments for specific purposes, contexts and populations 24

25. ies.ed.gov 25 Attend to Changes from Previous Years’ Competitions See highlights of changes section in the FY 2016 RFA. – Note that maximum award amounts have changed and are now different in many cases between 305A and 324A! Carefully read the full RFA. 25

26. ies.ed.gov 26 Goal84.305A Maximum (direct + indirect) 84.324A Maximum (direct + indirect) Exploration With secondary data With primary data 2 years, $600,000 4 years, $1,400,000 2 years, $700,000 4 years, $1,600,000 Development & Innovation N/A4 years, $1,500,000 Efficacy & Replication Follow-up study Retrospective 5 years, $3,300,000 3 years, $1,100,000 3 years, $700,000 4 years, $3,500,000 3 years, $1,300,000 3 years, $800,000 Effectiveness Follow-up study 5 years, $3,800,000 3 years, $1,400,000 5 years, $4,000,000 3 years, $1,600,000 Measurement 4 years, $1,400,0004 years, $1,600,000 Maximum Award Amounts (84.305A & 84.324A)

27. ies.ed.gov 27 Application Deadline (Grants.gov) Letter of Intent Due Date (iesreview.ed.gov) Application Package Posted (Grants.gov) Start Dates August 6, 2015 4:30:00 PM DC Time May 21, 2015 July 1, 2016 to Sept 1, 2016 Dates for 84.305A and 84.324A 27

28. ies.ed.gov 28 Research Training Grant Programs 84.305B: Research Training Grant Programs in the Education Sciences – Pathways to the Education Sciences Research Training 84.324B: Research Training Program in Special Education – Postdoctoral Research Training Program – Early Career Development and Mentoring – Methods Training Using Single Case Designs 28

29. ies.ed.gov 29 Award Parameters (84.305B & 84.324B) ProgramMaximum Number of Years Maximum Award (direct + indirect) 305B Pathways Training 5 years$1,200,000 324B Postdoctoral Research Training Early Career Development Methods Training Using SCD 5 years 4 years 3 years $700,000 $400,000 $700,000 29

30. ies.ed.gov 30 Application Deadline (Grants.gov) Letter of Intent Due Date (iesreview.ed.gov) Application Package Posted (Grants.gov) Start Dates August 20, 2015 4:30:00 PM DC Time May 21, 2015 July 1, 2016 to Sept 1, 2016 Important Dates for Training Grants Programs 30

31. ies.ed.gov 31 84.305C: Education Research Center Program Virtual Learning Center – Evaluate and improve the instructional practices, content, and/or learning tools offered by one or more widely-used online instructional delivery platforms Focus on low-income and low-performing K-12 students – Explore how the large amounts of data generated by platforms may be used to address important research questions and improve teaching and learning 31

32. ies.ed.gov 32 84.305D Statistical & Research Methodology in Education Early Career only – PhD after April 1, 2011 – Include mentor or Advisory Board Research projects intended to expand and improve the methodological and statistical tools available for education researchers These tools will be used to improve the design of research studies, analysis of research data, and interpretation of research findings 32

33. ies.ed.gov 33 84.305E: Evaluation of State Education Programs & Policies Partnership of research institution and SEA to evaluate a state program – College- and Career-Ready Standards and Assessments – Identifying and Improving Lowest-Performing Schools – Teacher and Principal Evaluation and Support Systems Accelerated Schedule – Application Deadline: June 10, 2015 – Project Start Date: August 1, 2015 33

34. ies.ed.gov 34 84.305H: Partnerships & Collaborations Focused on Problems of Practice & Policy Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships in Education Research – Partnerships composed of research institutions and state or local education agencies – Carry out initial research on an education issue/problem of high priority for the education agency that has important implications for student outcomes – Develop joint research plan for further research on issue. 34

35. ies.ed.gov 35 84.305N: Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice New grant program Two topics – Supporting Early Learning from Preschool through Early Elementary Grades – Scalable Strategies to Support College Completion 35

36. ies.ed.gov 36 84.305N: Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice The Early Learning Network will support: – Up to 4 Research Teams (to conduct exploratory research to identify malleable factors that support early learning from preschool through early elementary school grades). – Up to 1 Assessment Team (to develop/validate a classroom observation tool) – Up to 1 Network Lead 36

37. ies.ed.gov 37 84.305N: Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice The College Completion Network will support: – Up to 4 Research Teams (to evaluate impacts and costs of interventions to support increased degree attainment among students attending open- and broad-access institutions) – Up to 1 Network Lead 37

38. ies.ed.gov 38 Award Parameters (84.305B-H) ProgramMaximum Number of Years Maximum Award (direct + indirect) 305C Virtual Learning Center 5 years$10,000,000 (max of $2,000,000/year) 305D Early Career Stats/Methods 2 years$200,000 (max of $100,000/year) 305E Evaluation of State Education Programs/Policies 5 years$5,000,000 (max of $1,000,000/year) 305H Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships 2 years$400,000 (max of $200,000/year)

39. ies.ed.gov 39 Award Parameters (84.305N Research Networks) Research Networks Application Type Maximum Number of Years Maximum Award (direct + indirect) Early Learning Network/Research Team 5 years$4,500,000 Early Learning Network/Assessment Team 5 years$2,000,000 Early Learning Network/Network Lead 5 years$2,000,000 College Completion Network/ Research Team 5 years$4,000,000 College Completion Network/Network Lead 5 years$1,000,000

40. ies.ed.gov 40 Important Dates Grant ProgramsLetter of Intent Due/ Application Package Posted Application Deadline 305C Virtual Learning Center May 21, 2015August 20, 2015 305D Early Career Stats/Methods May 21, 2015August 6, 2015 305E Evaluation of State Education Programs/Policies April 16, 2015June 10, 2015 305H Researcher- Practitioner Partnerships May 21, 2015August 6, 2015 305N Research NetworksJune 4, 2015August 6, 2015

41. ies.ed.gov 41 Finding Application Packages FY 2016 Application Packages is available on www.grants.gov 41

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43. ies.ed.gov 43 Review Application Requirements  Request for Applications  Currently available at http://ies.ed.gov/fundinghttp://ies.ed.gov/funding  Application Package  Currently available at Grants.gov 43

44. ies.ed.gov 44 Peer Review Process Applications are reviewed for compliance and responsiveness to the RFA Applications that are compliant and responsive are assigned to a review panel Two or three panel members conduct a primary review of each application At panel meeting, the most competitive applications are reviewed by full panel 44

45. ies.ed.gov 45 Notification Process 45 All applicants will receive e-mail notification that the following information is available via the Applicant Notification System (ANS): Status of award Reviewer summary statements If you are not granted an award the first time, plan on resubmitting, and talk to your Program Officer

46. ies.ed.gov 46 Resources for Researchers Visit links for faculty and researchers on IES website Review past webinars and participate in future webinars for the FY 2016 competitions 46

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48. ies.ed.gov 48 When Writing a Grant Application Read the Request for Applications – http://ies.ed.gov/funding Look at abstracts of funded projects – http://ies.ed.gov/ncer/projects – http://ies.ed.gov/ncser/projects Take part in IES webinars – http://ies.ed.gov/funding/webinars/index.asp Discuss your research idea with a program officer – Email a synopsis and schedule a time for a call – Email short questions 48

49. ies.ed.gov 49 Help Us Help You Read the Request for Applications carefully Call or e-mail IES Program Officers early in the process As time permits, IES program staff can review draft proposals and provide feedback Don’t be afraid to contact us! 49

50. ies.ed.gov 50 For More Information http://ies.ed.gov/funding Erin Higgins Erin.Higgins@ed.gov Jacquelyn Buckley Jacquelyn.Buckley@ed.gov 50