Department of Education (ED/IES) FY26 Solicitations
Phase IA solicitation #91990026R0003 is a request for proposals for $250,000 awards for 9 months for the research and development (R&D) and evaluation of prototypes of novel education technology products where no or limited previous technological development has occurred.
The goal of the Phase IA track is to stimulate novel (i.e., first of its kind) approaches to solve pressing problems in education. Successful Phase IA awardees will be eligible to apply for a $1,000,000 Phase II award in FY2027 to fully develop and evaluate the new education technology product over a period of 2 years, and to prepare for commercialization.
Phase IB solicitation #91990026R0004 is a request for proposals for $250,000 awards for 9 months for R&D and evaluation of prototypes of a new component to be added to an existing research-based education technology prototype or product.
The goal of the Phase IB track is to strengthen existing research-based prototypes or products in addressing pressing problems in education. Successful Phase IB awardees will be eligible to apply for a $1,000,000 Phase II award in FY 2027, to fully develop and evaluate the component and the existing education technology product over a period of 2 years, and to prepare for commercialization of a new version of the product.
The Direct to Phase II solicitation #91990026R0005 is a request for proposals for $1,000,000 awards for 2 years for R&D and evaluation of new education technology products to ready existing researcher-developed evidence-based innovations (products, interventions, practices) for use at scale, and to plan for commercialization.
- Projects that focus on advancing innovations that are not evidence-based are not eligible for the Direct to Phase II program.
- The existing education innovation must have originally been created by researchers at either universities (or other academic institutions) or non-profit education research organizations.
- Direct to Phase II projects are awarded without a prior Phase I award.
The goal of the Direct to Phase II program is to support the successful transfer of evidence-based research to commercial products to be used at scale and sustained over time.