Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Education Research (NCER): Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305N-1 | ED GRANTS 081922 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 081922 001

This grant opportunity comes from the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES), specifically the National Center for Education Research (NCER), under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305N-1. It is a discretionary grant program designed to fund organized research networks that concentrate national research capacity on a small number of urgent, high-priority education policy and practice challenges. The core idea is not just to fund isolated studies, but to build a coordinated structure where multiple researchers and partners can align their work, share methods and findings, generate stronger cumulative evidence, and improve how research is communicated to the field.

NCER frames the purpose in practical terms: IES research programs are intended to produce reliable, valid evidence about education practices that support learning, improve academic achievement, and expand access to opportunity for all learners. Within that broader mission, this specific program, "Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice," targets issues that are considered especially important to the nation and creates a formal mechanism for researchers working on those issues to collaborate. The expectation is that a network format will accelerate learning across projects, reduce duplication, strengthen rigor, and increase the usefulness and reach of results for educators, policymakers, and the public.

For this competition (ALN 84.305N), NCER will only consider applications that fall under one of two topic areas identified in the notice. The first is the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Research Network (Topic #183). In the FY 2023 cycle referenced in the synopsis, this CTE topic includes a single "Network Lead" award. A key detail is that the CTE Network is described as conducting research on CTE through projects funded by other IES grant competitions, meaning the network lead role is largely about setting a research agenda, coordinating and supporting a community of studies, and building shared infrastructure rather than acting as the sole direct funder of all underlying CTE research. The notice points applicants to a separate Federal Register notice that provides additional detail specifically about the Lead of a Career and Technical Education Network, which suggests specialized requirements and expectations for that leadership role.

The second topic is the Digital Learning Platforms Network (Topic #8226), which is described as an expansion of an existing network originally established in FY 2021. This network is also known as SEERNet, and the synopsis includes its website (https://www.seernet.org) as a reference point. The digital learning platforms focus implies a continuing federal interest in understanding how technology-mediated learning tools and platform-based educational environments affect teaching, learning, and outcomes, and in developing better ways to study those tools at scale. While the summary text truncates some of the structure under this topic, it clearly signals that NCER intends to grow the SEERNet effort and support research teams operating within that networked model.

Eligibility is intentionally broad, with the main constraint being capability: applicants must have the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research. Eligible entities include, but are not limited to, public and private institutions of higher education (colleges and universities), public and private agencies, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and various units of government (state, county, city or township, and special district governments). In other words, the program is open to a wide range of research-performing organizations as long as they can meet IES expectations for rigor and execution.

The synopsis repeatedly emphasizes that the authoritative requirements live in the official Federal Register application notice, not in the summary. Applicants are directed to consult that notice for details such as pre-application and application requirements, submission instructions, performance measures, priorities, and contact information. The notice also references the Department of Education's "Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs" (published December 27, 2021) for standard procedures, including where and how to obtain and submit an application. Based on the source data provided, the opportunity number is ED GRANTS 081922 001, the original closing date listed is February 23, 2023, and the award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the excerpt.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as funding for research coordination and capacity-building around nationally significant education challenges, with the FY 2023 emphasis placed on launching a coordinated CTE research network led by a single network lead and on expanding the existing SEERNet digital learning platforms network. Applicants considering this program would typically be organizations positioned to convene research communities, set shared research and dissemination priorities, and support multiple aligned research efforts in a way that builds cumulative, decision-relevant evidence.

• 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): Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305N-1" 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 2022-08-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Others.

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