A practical guide to grants for special education programs, IDEA funding, federal and foundation funders, and how schools and nonprofits compete for inclusion funding.

2025–2026 STATUS UPDATE: The Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the federal education-research arm at the U.S. Department of Education, was largely dismantled in 2025. Staff dropped from ~175 to fewer than 20; ~$900M in research contracts were terminated. Lawsuits are pending. References to IES-operated resources (including the What Works Clearinghouse) and IES grant programs may be unavailable or significantly diminished. Verify at ies.ed.gov.

Special education in the United States is funded primarily through IDEA federal formula funding, with discretionary grants from the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), state special-education set-asides, and foundation funders supporting inclusion, family support, and innovation.

TL;DR: Quick Answers

Who funds special education? IDEA (formula to states), ED OSEP discretionary, state special-ed funding, foundations.
Who can apply? School districts, state education agencies, universities, nonprofits, parent training centers, disability-rights organizations.
What gets funded? Direct services, teacher training, transition, early intervention, research, parent training and advocacy.
What’s the biggest opportunity? IDEA formula funding (via state) plus OSEP discretionary plus disability-rights foundations.

Federal Funding

IDEA Part B funding flows by formula to state education agencies, which distribute to school districts. Most special-education funding moves through this pathway, see pass-through grants.

IDEA Part C for Early Intervention (birth to 3), state-administered.

OSEP discretionary grants for teacher preparation, technical assistance, research, parent training and information centers, and innovation projects. See Department of Education grants.

HRSA Maternal and Child Health for children with special health care needs.

ACL for Developmental Disabilities Act programs (state councils, P&A systems, UCEDDs).

State Funding

State special-education funding adds significantly to federal IDEA dollars, especially in states with categorical or weighted funding for students with disabilities.

Foundation Funders

Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.
Autism Speaks.
The Arc Foundation, Special Olympics.
Marcus Foundation, Cure Autism Now.
JP Morgan Chase Foundation.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation historically.
Community foundations and disability-rights foundations.

What Gets Funded

Direct services and inclusion supports.
Teacher and provider training.
Transition (school-to-work, postsecondary, independent living).
Early intervention.
Parent training and family support.
Assistive technology.
Behavioral support.
Research and innovation.

Tips for a Competitive Application

Address measurable student outcomes.
Use evidence-based practices (cite What Works Clearinghouse or peer-reviewed evidence).
Coordinate with state education agency for OSEP or state competitions.
Center families and self-advocates authentically.
Plan inclusive design rather than separate or segregated services.

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Grants for Special Education Programs and Inclusion