SUMMARY
The EIR program is designed to generate and validate solutions to persistent educational challenges by creating, developing, or implementing evidence-based solutions to improve student achievement for high-need students. The central design element of the EIR program is its multi-tier structure that links the amount of funding that an applicant may receive to the quality of the evidence supporting the efficacy of the proposed project, with the expectation that projects that build this evidence will advance through EIR’s grant tiers. Early-phase grants are not intended to simply implement established practices in additional locations or address needs unique to one context. The goal is to determine whether and in what ways relatively newer practices can improve student achievement and attainment for highneed students. Projects must demonstrate a rationale.
Examples of eligible activities include:
• STEM education initiatives;
• Educator recruitment and retention projects; and
• Social and emotional learning (SEL) programs.
A total of $251 million was available in FY24. Similar funding is anticipated in FY25.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible applicants include Local Education Agencies (LEAs), State Education Agencies (SEAs), The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE); A consortium of SEAs or LEAs; A nonprofit organization; and an LEA, an SEA, the BIE, or a consortium in partnership with a nonprofit organization; a business; an educational service agency; or an institution of higher education.
DEADLINE
A new solicitation is expected to be released in May with an anticipated deadline in July 2025
FOR MORE INFORMATION
https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/economicallydisadvantaged-students/education-innovation-and-research