Education Research, Development and Dissemination (84.305)
Education Research, Development and Dissemination (Assistance Listing 84.305) is run by the Department of Education. It awarded $788 million in 566 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $1.4 million per award on average. 1 funding opportunity is open or forecast now.
The typical award was $999,999. Half of the 566 awards fell between $537,329 and $2.0 million, and they ranged from $12,695 to $10.0 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$788 million
- Grant awards566
- Typical award$999,999
- Awarded in FY 2025$129 million
- Size rank284 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants (contracts)
Key findings
- Annual funding fell from $147 million in fiscal 2021 to $129 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 284th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 50% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 40 states and territories.
What the program funds
To support research activities that improve the quality of education and, thereby, increase student academic achievement, reduce the achievement gap between high-performing and low-performing students, and increase access to and completion of postsecondary education.
Open opportunities
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Applicants that have the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, non-profit and for-profit organizations and public and private agencies and institutions, such as colleges and universities. SBIR contract awards are limited to eligible small businesses.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Grants support basic and applied research, development, dissemination, evaluations, and research training in education. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts are awarded to qualified small businesses to conduct innovative research and development projects focused on education technology. Funds also support the What Works Clearinghouse, the Education Resources Information Center, the National Library of Education, and a variety of other dissemination and support activities that are supported by contracts.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Oct 01, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Varies by competition.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Education Research, Development and Dissemination (84.305) awarded $788 million across 566 grant awards, an average of $1.4 million per award.
Who usually wins
Colleges and universities received 67% of the money, nonprofits 22% and businesses 8.5%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleges and universities | 402 | $531 million | 67% |
| Nonprofits | 117 | $177 million | 22% |
| Businesses | 36 | $67.2 million | 8.5% |
| State and local governments | 11 | $12.3 million | 1.6% |
By state
33 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 74 | $122 million |
| Virginia | 69 | $91.2 million |
| New York | 48 | $68.1 million |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | $45.1 million |
| North Carolina | 29 | $43.2 million |
| Texas | 28 | $43.2 million |
| Massachusetts | 23 | $38.4 million |
| Michigan | 20 | $33.4 million |
| Illinois | 28 | $32.3 million |
| Washington | 15 | $24.3 million |
| Florida | 20 | $23.2 million |
| Missouri | 12 | $22.5 million |
| District of Columbia | 13 | $20.3 million |
| Oregon | 11 | $17.9 million |
| Georgia | 12 | $17.1 million |
| Tennessee | 13 | $16.3 million |
| Connecticut | 10 | $16.2 million |
| Maryland | 20 | $15.4 million |
| Wisconsin | 10 | $14.5 million |
| Ohio | 13 | $13.7 million |
| Minnesota | 6 | $10.1 million |
| Arizona | 9 | $9.1 million |
| Colorado | 8 | $8.1 million |
| New Jersey | 6 | $6.6 million |
| Delaware | 7 | $6.2 million |
| Louisiana | 2 | $4.9 million |
| Indiana | 6 | $4.8 million |
| New Mexico | 1 | $4.5 million |
| Rhode Island | 3 | $3.6 million |
| Alabama | 3 | $2.1 million |
| Kansas | 3 | $1.9 million |
| Utah | 1 | $1.7 million |
| Nebraska | 3 | $1.1 million |
| Mississippi | 1 | $938,848 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $795,972 |
| Iowa | 2 | $792,588 |
| Kentucky | 1 | $717,695 |
| Montana | 1 | $632,778 |
| Nevada | 1 | $470,240 |
| Idaho | 1 | $397,955 |