OSERS-OSEP: Technical Assistance on State Data Collection: National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Part B and Part C Fiscal Data (Fiscal Data Center) CFDA Number 84.373F | ED GRANTS 061620 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 061620 001

This grant opportunity, listed under CFDA 84.373F and administered by the U.S. Department of Education through OSERS-OSEP, funds a single National Technical Assistance Center focused specifically on improving how states handle IDEA Part B and Part C fiscal data. The center is commonly referred to as the Fiscal Data Center, and its core mission is to strengthen state capacity to collect, report, analyze, and actually use accurate fiscal information required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In practical terms, the federal government is looking to invest in a national hub that can help states produce higher-quality fiscal data, meet federal reporting requirements more reliably, and turn that data into something that supports oversight and decision-making rather than being just a compliance exercise.

The legal and policy foundation for this program comes from IDEA section 611(c)(1), which allows the Secretary of Education to reserve a small portion (up to one-half of one percent) of IDEA Part B appropriations each year to support technical assistance activities authorized under IDEA section 616(i). That set-aside is capped at $25,000,000 per year, adjusted for inflation. Section 616(i) requires the Department to review how well states can collect and analyze the information needed to implement IDEA accountability and monitoring expectations, and to provide technical assistance when states need help meeting IDEA data collection and reporting requirements under Parts B and C. The opportunity also points to appropriations language from the FY 2019 and FY 2020 federal funding laws that further clarifies the Secretary has authority to use these reserved funds to administer and carry out activities that improve data collection, coordination, quality, and use under IDEA Parts B and C. Taken together, the underlying message is that accurate fiscal data is essential to federal oversight, state accountability, and responsible stewardship of special education funds, and the Department is using its IDEA technical assistance authority to build that capacity nationwide.

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which matters because it generally signals substantial federal involvement during the project period compared to a standard grant. The Department is not just funding a project and stepping back; it typically expects active coordination, shared problem-solving, and alignment with federal priorities and reporting expectations throughout the life of the award. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding within the education activity area, and it anticipates making one award, meaning applicants are competing to become the single national center for this topic area rather than one of several regional or thematic grantees.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of public and private entities that are capable of operating a national technical assistance center. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding IHEs under the nonprofit categories as listed); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and other entities as clarified in the official notice. This wide eligibility reflects the reality that national technical assistance centers are often run by universities, nonprofits, or specialized organizations with deep expertise in education finance, IDEA compliance, data governance, and technical assistance delivery at scale.

Financially, the notice lists an award ceiling of $3,975,000 and expects one award. Key dates provided include an applications available date of June 16, 2020, a deadline for transmittal of applications of July 31, 2020, and an intergovernmental review deadline of September 29, 2020. The Department directs applicants to follow the Department of Education Common Instructions for discretionary grant programs (published February 13, 2019) for submission logistics and standard application requirements, and it emphasizes that the authoritative requirements, priorities, performance measures, and submission instructions are contained in the official Federal Register notice.

Finally, the program contact listed for further information is Jennifer Finch at the U.S. Department of Education (telephone 202-245-6610, email Jennifer.Finch@ed.gov). The notice repeatedly stresses that the short description provided is only a synopsis and that applicants should rely on the Federal Register application notice for the full set of requirements, including eligibility clarifications, any absolute or competitive preferences, performance reporting expectations, and other conditions that would shape what the national Fiscal Data Center must deliver.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OSERS-OSEP: Technical Assistance on State Data Collection: National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Part B and Part C Fiscal Data (Fiscal Data Center) CFDA Number 84.373F" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.373.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 16, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2020 Applications Available June 16, 2020. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications July 31, 2020. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review September 29, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Jennifer Finch, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 5016C, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone (202) 245-6610. Email Jennifer.Finch@ed.gov.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,975,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for ED GRANTS 061620 001

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: