Request for Applications Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences CFDA Number: 84.305B U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION A Product of the National Center for Education Research Letter of Intent June 11, 2020 https://iesreview.ed.gov/LOI/LOISubmit Due: Application Package June 11, 2020 https://www.grants.gov/ Available: IES Submission April 1, 2020 https://ies.ed.gov/funding/pdf/submissionguide.pdf Guide Available: 11:59:59 p.m. Application Eastern Time on https://www.grants.gov/ Deadline: August 20, 2020 Possible Start July 1 – September Dates: 1, 2021 Table of Contents Part I: Overview and General Requirements ............................................................................... 1 A. Purpose of the Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences ......................................... 1 B. General Requirements ................................................................................................................ 2 1. Programs ............................................................................................................................... 2 2. Award Limits ......................................................................................................................... 2 C. Getting Started ........................................................................................................................... 2 1. Technical Assistance for Applicants ........................................................................................ 2 2. Eligible Applicants ................................................................................................................. 3 3. RFA Organization and the IES Application Submission Guide .................................................. 3 4. Ensuring Your Application is Forwarded for Scientific Peer Review ........................................ 4 D. Changes in the FY 2021 Request for Applications ........................................................................ 4 E. Common Applicant Questions ..................................................................................................... 5 Part II: Training Program Requirements and Recommendations ............................................... 7 A. Applying to a Training Program .................................................................................................. 7 B. Pathways to the Education Sciences ........................................................................................... 9 1. Purpose ................................................................................................................................ 9 2. Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 10 3. Award Limits ....................................................................................................................... 12 4. Recommendations for Strong Applications ........................................................................... 13 5. Additional Budget Parameters and Award Requirements ...................................................... 17 C. Postdoctoral Research Training Program in the Education Sciences............................................ 22 1. Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 22 2. Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 23 3. Award Limits ....................................................................................................................... 25 4. Recommendations for a Strong Application .......................................................................... 25 5. Additional Budget Parameters and Application Requirements ............................................... 29 D. Methods Training for Education Researchers ............................................................................. 32 1. Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 32 2. Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 33 3. Award Limits ....................................................................................................................... 34 4. Recommendations for a Strong Application .......................................................................... 35 5. Additional Budget Parameters and Application Requirements ............................................... 37 Part III: Preparing Your Application .......................................................................................... 39 A. Overview .................................................................................................................................. 39 B. General Formatting................................................................................................................... 39 1. Page and Margin Specifications ............................................................................................. 39 2. Page Numbering ................................................................................................................... 39 3. Spacing ................................................................................................................................ 39 4. Type Size (Font Size) ............................................................................................................ 39 5. Graphs, Diagrams, and Tables ............................................................................................. 40 C. Required and Optional Appendices .......................................................................................... 40 1. Appendix A: Dissemination History and Plan (Required for Methods Training Program Only) 40 2. Appendix B: Response to Reviewers (Required for Resubmissions) ........................................ 41 3. Appendix C: Summary of Research and Training Projects (Required) .................................... 41 4. Appendix D: Examples of Letters of Agreement for Fellows (Required for Pathways and Postdoctoral Training Programs) ............................................................................................. 44 5. Appendix E: Letters of Agreement (Required for Pathways and Methods Training Programs, Optional for Postdoctoral Programs) ........................................................................................ 44 6. Appendix F: Examples of Training and Assessment Materials (Optional) ................................ 45 D. Other Narrative Content ........................................................................................................... 45 1. Project Summary/Abstract .................................................................................................... 45 2. Bibliography and References Cited ....................................................................................... 46 3. Human Subjects Narrative.................................................................................................... 46 4. Biographical Sketches for Key Personnel .............................................................................. 46 Part IV: Competition Regulations and Review Criteria .............................................................. 48 A. Funding Mechanisms and Restrictions ....................................................................................... 48 1. Mechanism of Support ......................................................................................................... 48 2. Funding Available ................................................................................................................ 48 3. Special Considerations for Budget Expenses ......................................................................... 48 4. Program Authority .............................................................................................................. 49 5. Applicable Regulations ........................................................................................................ 49 B. Additional Award Requirements ............................................................................................... 49 1. Pre-Award ........................................................................................................................... 49 2. Post Award ......................................................................................................................... 50 C. Overview of Application and Scientific Peer Review Process ....................................................... 51 1. Submitting a Letter of Intent ................................................................................................. 51 2. Resubmissions and Multiple Submissions ............................................................................. 51 3. Application Processing ......................................................................................................... 52 4. Scientific Peer Review Process ............................................................................................. 52 5. Review Criteria for Scientific Merit ....................................................................................... 53 6. Award Decisions .................................................................................................................