What Is A TPSID?

Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability, or TPSID, are model demonstration projects funded by the US Department of Education.  Through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, grants are awarded to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education to enable them to create or expand high quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities.  

TPSID projects were first funded in October 2010 - September 2015, with 27 grantees who developed or improved programs at 52 campuses across the United States.  In October 2015 - September 2020, a second cohort of twenty five grantees working on 59 campuses were funded. In October, 2020 - September 2025, the third cohort was funded, with 22 grantees at 39 campuses. In October 2025 -September 2030, the fourth cohort was funded, with 28 grantees. 

Read a fact sheet about the TPSID program.

TPSID projects establish model programs that: 

  • Serve students with intellectual disability.
  • Provide individual supports and services for the academic and social inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities in academic courses, extracurricular activities, and other aspects of the institution of higher education.
  • Partner with one or more local educational agencies to support students who are still eligible for special education and related services under IDEA.
  • Plan for the sustainability of the model program after the end of the grant period.
  • Offer a meaningful credential for students upon the completion of the model program.

Students with intellectual disability participating in these model programs are provided experiences focusing on academic enrichment; socialization; independent living skills, including self-advocacy skills; and integrated work experiences and career skills that lead to employment.  Person-centered planning is used as the foundation in the development of the course of study for each student. 

TPSID 2025-2030 Grantees with Principal Investigator contact information 

TPSID 2020-2025 Grantees with Principal Investigator contact information

TPSID 2015-2020 Grantees, with Principal Investigator contact information

TPSID 2010-2015 Grantees, with Principal Investigator contact information