Educational Technology, Media, 

and Materials for Individuals 

with Disabilities Program

(ETechM2)

Stepping up Technology Implementation

84.327S

FY2024 Grant Competition

Applicant Resource
What is ETechM2?

The purpose of the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for 

Individuals with Disabilities Program (ETechM2 Program) is to improve 

results for children with disabilities by:

Promoting the 

development, 

demonstration, 

and use of 

technology 

Supporting educational 

activities designed to be 

of educational value in the 

classroom for children 

with disabilities

Providing support 

for captioning and 

video description 

that is appropriate 

for use in the 

classroom

Providing accessible 

educational 

materials to 

children with 

disabilities in a 

timely manner

This document is a brief summary of the ETechM2 program and application requirements. Do not rely solely on the information in this document for 

guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations published in the Federal Register for additional information, as 

these are the official documents governing the competition.
Eligibility and Funding Information

Eligible Entities 

There are a wide range of institutions, organizations, and agencies eligible to apply for 

funding under the ETechM2 grant competition: 

 SEAs; 

 LEAs, including public charter schools that operate as LEAs under State law; 

 IHEs; 

 Other public agencies; 

 Private nonprofit organizations; 

 Freely associated States and outlying areas;

 Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations; and 

 For-profit organizations.

Project Funding 

The Department estimates making approximately 4 total awards. Each award includes 

between $350,000 to $375,000 for each 12-month budget period for up to 5 years. 

4

Estimated number 

of awards

$375K

Estimated average 

size of awards 

(per year)

5

5 years is the total 

project period 

Note: The Department is not bound by any of these estimates. Funding is contingent on final congressional action and the quality of applications. 

This document is a brief summary of the ETechM2 program and application requirements. Do not rely solely on the information in this document for 

guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations published in the Federal Register for additional information, as 

these are the official documents governing the competition.
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Absolute Priority 

The Absolute Priority (AP) must be met for an application to be considered.

AP: Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Meet Individual Needs of 

Students with Disabilities Through Learning and Assessment

The purpose of this priority is to fund cooperative agreements to establish and operate projects 

that achieve, at a minimum, the following expected outcomes:

Outcomes

Improved student 

outcomes using an 

evidence-based 

technology-based 

tool or approach 

that integrates AI

Effective Instruction

Improved educator use and knowledge 

of an evidence-based technology-based 

tool or approach using AI to deliver 

effective instruction to students with 

disabilities

Educator Collaboration

Improved educator collaboration and professional learning 

opportunities focusing on improving outcomes for student 

with disabilities using an evidence-based technology-based 

tool or approach using AI Engagement

Improved educator and family 

engagement regarding the use of an 

evidence-based technology-based tool 

or approach using AI to support student 

learning 

Sustained Use

Sustained use of 

the evidence-based 

technology-based 

tool or approach 

using AI by aligning 

its use with 

existing 

instructional 

priorities and 

initiatives

To be considered for funding under this priority, in the application, applicants must describe: 

 Technology-based tool or approach that utilizes AI

 Outcomes of students with disabilities that will be improved by tool or approach

 Approach to increase educators’ use and knowledge of tool or approach 

 Accessible products and resources that will help educators/families effectively use and 

implement tool or approach 

This document is a brief summary of the ETechM2 program and application requirements. Do not rely solely on the information in this document for 

guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations published in the Federal Register for additional information, as 

these are the official documents governing the competition.
Evidence Explained

For the purposes of the Absolute Priority, projects must meet at least the definition 

of “promising evidence,” which means that there is evidence of the effectiveness 

of a key project component in improving a relevant outcome

Evidence should be based on a relevant finding from one of the following: 

 A practice guide prepared by the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) reporting a “strong 

evidence base” or “moderate evidence base” for the corresponding practice recommendation; 

 An intervention report prepared by the WWC reporting a “positive effect” or “potentially 

positive effect” on a relevant outcome with no reporting of a “negative effect” or “potentially 

negative effect” on a relevant outcome; or 

 A single study assessed by the Department, as appropriate, that is an experimental study, a 

quasi-experimental design study, or a well-designed and well-implemented correlational study 

with statistical controls for selection bias (e.g., a study using regression methods to account for 

differences between a treatment group and a comparison group); and includes at least one 

statistically significant and positive (i.e., favorable) effect on a relevant outcome. 

How Can I Find Qualifying Evidence?

A good starting place is the Institute of Education Sciences’ What Works 

Clearinghouse. Evidence from WWC gives you information on the evidence tier, 

making it simpler to understand if it meets the requirements for the Mid-Phase 

projects. 

• Finding Evidence on What Works Clearinghouse Webinar.

• Review theWhat Works Clearinghouse to determine if there is an 

intervention report, practice guide, or individual study that has already been 

reviewed

Evidence does not have to already exist in WWC. See below for additional resources 

that may be helpful in finding relevant evidence:

• ERIC - a comprehensive, easy-to-use, searchable, Internet-based database of 

education research and information.

• National Library of Education- serves as the federal government’s primary 

education information resource to the public, education community, and 

other government agencies.

This document is a brief summary of the ETechM2 program and application requirements. Do not rely solely on the information in this document for 

guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations published in the Federal Register for additional information, as 

these are the official documents governing the competition.
Other Application Elements

The application will be awarded based on applicants responding to the absolute priority, 

an optional competitive preference priority, and five selection criteria, described below. 

Competitive Preference Priority: New Potential Grantees

Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the applicant has 

not had an active discretionary grant under the 84.327S program from 

which it seeks funds, including through membership in a group application, 

in the five years before the deadline date for submission of applications 

under the program.

0 or 3 points

Selection Criteria

Significance: considers: (1) the significance of the problem or issue to be addressed by the 

project (2) the extent to which the specific gaps or weaknesses in services, infrastructure, or 

opportunities have been identified and will be addressed by the project (3) the potential 

contribution of the project to increased knowledge or understanding of educational problems, 

issue or effective strategies (4) potential replicability of the project strategies 

15 points

Project Services: considers: (1) quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access 

and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have 

traditionally been underrepresented and extent to which: (2) project services reflect up-to-date 

knowledge from research and effective practice (3) training or professional development 

services are of sufficient quality, intensity and duration to lead to improvements (4) project 

services involve the collaboration of appropriate partners to maximize effectiveness (5) project 

services are appropriate to the needs of intended recipients or beneficiaries and (6) the likely 

impact of services to be provided on the intended recipients

30 points

Project Evaluation: the extent to which: (1) methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, 

and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes (2) methods of evaluation include use of 

objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes (3) methods 

of evaluation provide for examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies (4) 

methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of 

progress (5) evaluation plan clearly articulates key project components, mediators, and 

outcomes, as well as measurable threshold for acceptable implementation 

20 points

Adequacy of Resources & Project Personnel:(1) extent to which the applicant encourages 

applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have been 

historically underrepresented and (2) the qualifications, including relevant training and 

experience, of key project personnel, consultants and subcontractors. Also considers (3) the 

adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources (4) the 

relevance and demonstrated commitment of each project partner (5) the extent to which costs 

are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the project

20 points

Management Plan: (1) the adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives on 

time, within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines and milestones. (2) 

extent to which time commitments of key personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet 

objectives (3) how the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives are brought to bear 

in the operation of the project (4) the adequacy of the procedures for ensuring feedback and 

continuous improvement in operation of the project

15 points

This document is a brief summary of the ETechM2 program and application requirements. Do not rely solely on the information in this document for 

guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations published in the Federal Register for additional information, as 

these are the official documents governing the competition.
How to Apply 

The process can feel daunting, but preparing your organization properly and using 

Department of Education resources that are available will help make the applying more 

straightforward. 

Preparation

Brainstorm project ideas

Search for evidence-based AI tools aligned to those ideas

Engage any potential partners for implementation 

Applying

Review the Notice Inviting Applications

• The application package and forms will be available on the Open 

OSEP Grants site once the application period has opened.

Ensure that you have an active UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) number

• Entities who are not registered in SAM.gov will be assigned a UEI 

when they register

• To register in SAM.gov, click on the “Get Started” link under the

“Register Your Entity...” heading in SAM.gov.

• Please note that it can take 7-10 business days before you obtain a UEI 

number, so you’ll want to register at least 2-3 weeks prior to the 

application due date. 

Apply for the ETechM2 grant!

• Visit the government-wide website, http://www.grants.gov.

• Enter “84.327S” in the search bar in the upper right. 

• Click on the Opportunity Number in the search results and follow 

instructions after hitting “Apply.”

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• It is strongly encouraged to familiarize yourself with grants.gov and strongly recommend that you

register and submit early.

• Visit the program website for helpful information, frequently asked questions, dates of future

webinars or workshops, and clarifications.

This document is a brief summary of the ETechM2 program and application requirements. Do not rely solely on the information in this document for 

guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations published in the Federal Register for additional information, as 

these are the official documents governing the competition.
FAQs & Resources 

Common questions can be seen below but if you have additional questions, please visit 

the program website or reach out directly via the contact information below. 

How is “AI” being defined for this competition? 

A machine-based system that can, for a given set of 

human-defined objectives, make predictions, 

recommendations, or decisions influencing real or 

virtual environments. Artificial intelligence systems use 

machine- and human-based inputs to perceive real and 

virtual environments; abstract such perceptions into 

models through analysis in an automated manner; and 

use model inference to formulate options for 

information or action.

What is the timing to receive funding 

decisions?

Reviews of all applications are typically completed 

within 60 days after the application deadline of 

4/30/24. Funds will be disbursed to grant 

awardees no later than September 30, 2024. 

What are Open Licensing 

requirements?

This requirement requires grantees to 

openly license deliverables created with 

grant funds and to publicly disseminate 

the products. Relevant copyrights and 

commercial trademarks can be granted 

exemptions from this requirement. For 

more information on exemptions and 

requirements, please contact the 

competition manager (below). 

Helpful Links

Program Website Notice Inviting 

Applications (NIA)

Point of Contact

Anita Vermeer, Competition Manager

Anita.Vermeer@ed.gov

202-987-0155

This document is a brief summary of the ETechM2 program and application requirements. Do not rely solely on the information in this document for 

guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations published in the Federal Register for additional information, as 

these are the official documents governing the competition.