ies.ed.gov Connecting Research, Policy and Practice ELIZABETH R. ALBRO, Ph.D. National Center for Education Research Institute of Education Sciences U.S. Department of Education Webinar for Texas A&M Faculty April 14, 2015 SEEKING FUNDING AT THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES 1

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ies.ed.gov What is IES? Research arm of the U.S. Department of Education, non-partisan by law. We provide rigorous & relevant evidence on which to ground education practice and policy. We share this information broadly. By identifying what works, what doesn't, and why, we aim to improve educational outcomes for all students, particularly those at risk of failure. 3

ies.ed.gov Organizational Structure Office of the Director National Board for Education Sciences National Center for Education Evaluation National Center for Education Statistics National Center for Education Research CFDA: National Center for Special Education Research CFDA: Standards & Review Office 4

ies.ed.gov Grant Writing Is A Process 5

ies.ed.gov Start Your Search For Funding Here 6

ies.ed.gov Open FY 2015 Competition Evaluation of State Education Programs and Policies (CFDA E) – College- and Career-Ready Standards and Assessments – Identification and Improvement of the Lowest- Performing Schools, and/or Schools with the Greatest Achievement Gaps – Teacher and Principal Evaluation and Support Systems Applications DUE June 10,

ies.ed.gov FY 2015 Funding Opportunities* Research Research Programs Statistical & Research Methodology Research & Development Centers Partnerships & Collaborations Focused on Problems of Practice & Policy Research Training Predoctoral Research Training Postdoctoral Research Training Methods Training for Education Research Other Unsolicited *Note, these are CLOSED competitions. 8

ies.ed.gov FY 2016 Still to be determined Want to be the first to know when the RFAs are posted? – Sign up for the IES Newsflash – Follow us on 9

ies.ed.gov Regular Research Competitions NCER & NCSER 5 Goals 10 or 11 Topics 10

ies.ed.gov IES Peer Review Process Overseen by the Standards & Review Office Initial review by 2-4 independent reviewers Most competitive applications are then reviewed by the full panel of ~18-20 reviewers Final scientific merit scores used to make funding recommendations 11

ies.ed.gov Who Are Our Peer Reviewers? 12

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ies.ed.gov Building an Application Read the RFA carefully Build a good team Talk to your Program Officer Write a well-crafted proposal 14

ies.ed.gov Writing Clearly Be specific: Reviewers notice overly general significance sections Add detail: Reviewers want to know HOW you will carry out the proposed research. Especially re intervention, development cycle, or data analysis Don’t use jargon and assume prior knowledge Find a good editor: Poor writing (e.g., grammar) & awkward constructions can harm an application 15

ies.ed.gov Remember You can’t get funded if you don’t submit an application Revise and resubmit is the rule, not the exception Persistence (often) pays off 16

ies.ed.gov Help Us Help You  Read the Request for Applications carefully  Send IES program officers a one-page description of your proposed project  Talk with a program officer  Send the program officer your draft, so that s/he can provide feedback as time permits 17

ies.ed.gov Any Questions? Thanks! Elizabeth 18