The U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences has awarded a total of $10.3 million to 24 organizations to develop and test new commercially promising ed-tech products.

The allocation is part of a fiscal year 2020 funding round for the department’s Small Business Innovation Research program.

FY 2020 started Wednesday.

The allocation covers 16 awards that will allow companies to develop, refine, and test usability and initial feasibility of prototypes of commercially viable ed-tech products, as well as eight awards that will support completed development of products and a K-12 pilot to demonstrate the capacity to implement a product and improve intended outcomes for students.

The projects that have secured funding in the first category, known as a “Phase I” award, are:

• Accessible Learning through a Multi-Sensory Augmented Reality Interface for Physical Manipulatives, developed by Alchemie
• Early Reading Diagnostic Profiler, developed by Analytic Measures Inc.
• GoManage, developed by Attainment Company, Inc.
• vCoder and AI-Assisted Learning, developed by Beach Day Studios, LLC
• Interactive Audio Technology to Build Phonological Awareness and Early Childhood Literacy, developed by Hoogalit
• LoomVue Browser: Supporting Language Learning with a Dynamic Diglot Weave, developed by Kings Peak Technology, Inc.
• Pictoword School: Combining AI (Machine Learning) and Game-Based Learning to Support English Learners, developed by KooApps
• Sustainable Systems-Level Change for Literacy Outcomes, developed by Learning Ovations, Inc.
• Coding Bridge: Bridging Computer Science for Girls, developed by Liminal eSports, LLC
• A User-Friendly Tier-II Behavior Intervention, developed by LiveSchool, Inc.
• Using Connected Play to Engage Learners in Computational Thinking Practices through Collaborative Problem Solving, developed by Makefully, LLC
• ACE—A Music Creation Engine to Improve Algebra Readiness, developed by Muzology, LLC
• AI-Driven Formative Assessments for Hands-On Science, developed by Myriad Sensors, Inc.
• Teachley Math Practice Kits: Transmedia Resources to Support Students’ Metacognitive Math Reasoning, developed by Teachley, LLC
• Teachley Problem-Solving Assessment to Support Teachers to Assess and Promote Students’ Mathematical Thinking, developed by Teachley, LLC
• An Innovative Digital Tool to Inform Educators’ Decisions about OERs to Support More Efficient and Effective Evaluation and Ongoing Use of OERs to Improve Math Skills, by Zuni Learning Tree

The later-stage projects, known as “Phase II” allocation projects, are:

• An Augmented Reality-Based Design Puzzle Sandbox for Use in Early Elementary STEM Instruction, developed by Parametric Studios, Inc.
• LabAR: An Augmented Reality Learning System for STEM, developed by LightUp, Inc.
• Learn-Implementation Exchange in Context (Learn-IXC), developed by LearnPlatform, Inc.
• A Navigation System for Early Childhood Assessment and Instruction, developed by Cognitive Toybox
• Powerskills Game Lab: Improving High School Career Readiness Competencies, developed by Hats & Ladders, Inc.
• Verdant: VR-Enhanced Immersive Science Investigations into Biology and Genetics, by Lighthaus, Inc.

Phase I awards were made in amounts up to $200,000, and will cover costs for eight months. Phase II awards were made in amounts up to $900,000, and will cover costs for two years.

The awards were provided as part of IES’s Small Business Innovation Research program, which funds small businesses for the research and development of commercially viable ed-tech products designed to support student learning, teacher practice, or school administration in education or special education.

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See also: 

• The Ed. Department’s SBIR Program: What Companies Should Know to Land a Grant
• The Struggle to Make Games Accessible to Special-Needs Students
• 5 Types of Products That Will Drive the Special Education Market