OSERS-OSEP: Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships: eligibility, deadline, and how to apply (2026)
Key Facts
- Agency
- Department of Education
- Award Range
- up to $1,000,000
- Deadline
- Closed 2026-07-13
- Time Remaining
- This cycle closed on 2026-07-13. Check grants.gov for the next cycle.
- CFDA Number
- 84.325
The OSERS-OSEP: Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Department of Education. This guide covers everything you need to know to determine whether you qualify and how to submit a competitive application once the next cycle opens.
Use our free Grant Finder to discover additional programs you may be eligible for based on your organization type and location.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the OSERS-OSEP: Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
State educational agencies (SEAs) and other public agencies, including IDEA Part C lead agencies and State apprenticeship agencies. Note: To meet the absolute priority, eligible applicants must be a State agency, and if not the SEA or IDEA Part C lead agency, the applicant must partner with the SEA or IDEA Part C lead agency to implement the project. Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 1461(b)(2), other types of entities such as local educational agencies (LEAs), institutions of higher education (IHEs), and public charter schools, are not eligible to apply.
Eligibility requirements can change between funding cycles. Always verify the current criteria on the official Grants.gov listing before beginning your application.
Not sure your organization qualifies? Run the free Grant Finder check → or compare other Education programs by who can apply.
How to apply: step by step
- Register on SAM.gov. Every federal grant applicant needs an active SAM (System for Award Management) registration. Allow 2-4 weeks for new registrations to process. Existing registrations must be renewed annually.
- Get a UEI number. Your Unique Entity Identifier is assigned through SAM.gov and replaces the old DUNS number. You will need this on every federal application.
- Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Download the full NOFO from the Grants.gov listing. Pay close attention to review criteria, budget limits, and required attachments.
- Prepare your application package. Most federal grants require a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capacity statement, and supporting documents. Follow the page limits and formatting rules exactly.
- Submit through Grants.gov. Create a workspace, upload all required forms and attachments, and submit once the next cycle opens. The system timestamps your submission, and late applications are automatically rejected.
- Confirm receipt. Keep the tracking number or confirmation email, and check back in 1-2 business days that your application passed the validation checks.
For detailed guidance on writing a winning narrative, see our grant writing tips article.
Grant details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Grant Name | OSERS-OSEP: Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships |
| Funding Agency | Department of Education |
| CFDA Number | 84.325 |
| Award Minimum | Not published |
| Award Maximum | $1,000,000 |
| Deadline | Closed 2026-07-13 |
| Category | Education |
| Matching Required | No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this program |
| Application Link | Apply on Grants.gov |
Federal grant budgets and priorities shift each fiscal year. The amounts listed above reflect the most recent funding cycle. For the latest figures, check the official program page.
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Check your fit for Education grants like this one before you apply: eligibility, match and registration in one worksheet.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the OSERS-OSEP: Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships program?
State educational agencies (SEAs) and other public agencies, including IDEA Part C lead agencies and State apprenticeship agencies. Note: To meet the absolute priority, eligible applicants must be a State agency, and if not the SEA or IDEA Part C lead agency, the applicant must partner with the SEA or IDEA Part C lead agency to implement the project. Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 1461(b)(2), other types of entities such as local educational agencies (LEAs), institutions of higher education (IHEs), and public charter schools, are not eligible to apply. Requirements can change between cycles, so always verify on the official Grants.gov listing before applying.
What is the deadline for OSERS-OSEP: Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships?
The current deadline is closed on 2026-07-13; the next cycle has not been posted. Many federal grants operate on annual or rolling cycles. If this deadline has passed, check the Grants.gov listing for the next funding opportunity.
Does OSERS-OSEP: Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships require matching funds?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this program. Matching requirements can vary by fiscal year and applicant type, so confirm with the funding agency before committing resources.