GRANTS & FUNDING

ARRA OUTREACH
 
On October 6, Secretary Duncan announced the Department’s proposed priorities for grants under the $650 million Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund.  The fund -- part of the historic, $5 billion investment in school reform in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) -- will support efforts to start or expand research-based innovative programs that improve student achievement for high-need students.  Eligible applicants include school districts and non-profit organizations in partnership with districts or schools.  Applicants must address one or more of the core reforms embedded in the ARRA (absolute priority).  Applicants might also address other aspects of the President’s education agenda: improving early learning outcomes; supporting college access and success; and better serving the learning needs of students with disabilities, English language learners, and students in rural districts (competitive preference).
 
Under the proposed priorities, grants would be awarded in three categories:
·         Scale-Up Grants.  This largest possible grant category (up to $50 million) is focused on programs and practices with the potential to reach hundreds of thousands of students.  Applicants must have a strong base of evidence that their program has had a significant effect on improving student achievement.
·         Validation Grants.  This next grant category (up to $30 million) is focused on programs that have good evidence of their impact and are ready to expand within their own and other communities.
·         Development Grants.  This final grant category (up to $5 million) is designed to support new and high-potential practices whose impact should be studied further.
All grant recipients will be required to match federal funds with public or private funds and demonstrate how their programs will be sustainable after their federal grants are completed.
 
The Department is currently collecting public comment on the proposed priorities (through November 9).  The plan is to publish a final application in late winter/early spring 2010, accepting proposals in the spring.  All the funding must be obligated by September 30, 2010.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10062009a.html.  (Note: Among the resources online, there is a recording of a webinar led by Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Jim Shelton discussing the proposed priorities.)
 
Also: The Department recently revised its guidance for recipients of ARRA financial assistance that clarifies and elaborates on the Office of Management and Budget’s Section 1512 reporting guidance. 


Volunteer USA: Family Literacy Initiative
The Volunteer USA Foundation's family literacy initiative will give planning grants to existing literacy programs interested in serving as Volunteer USA Foundation family literacy academies for the 2011 school year. Maximum Award: $5,000. Eligibility: Programs must serve families and/or children with hearing impairments, have nonprofit 501(c)(3) status, and be located in the southern United States. Priority will be given to programs in Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Louisiana.
Deadline: October 1, 2009.

New Leaders for New Schools is a national organization promoting high levels of academic achievement for every child by attracting, preparing, and supporting the next generation of outstanding leaders for our nation's urban public schools. New Leaders is currently accepting applications for candidates who meet their 10 selection criteria and want to lead change for children in low-income communities by becoming urban public school principals. Eligibility: Applicants must have a record of success in leading adults, an expertise in K-12 teaching and learning, a relentless drive to lead an excellent urban school, and an unyielding belief in the potential of every child to achieve academically at high levels.
Deadline: eligibility verification -- October 15, 2009; full application -- February 2, 2010.


General Mills Foundation: Champions for Healthy Kids
The General Mills Foundation Champions for Healthy Kids grant program encourages communities in the United States to improve the eating and physical activity patterns of young people, ages 2-20. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations and agencies working with communities that demonstrate the greatest need and likelihood of sustainable impact on young people's nutrition and activity levels through innovative programs.
Maximum award: $10,000. Eligibility: 501(c)3, community-based groups. Deadline: January 15, 2010.
http://www.generalmills.com/corporate/commitment/champions.aspx


VFW: National Citizenship Education Teachers' Award
The VFW's National Citizenship Education Teachers' Award recognizes the nation's top elementary, junior high, and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America's history and traditions.
Maximum award: $1,000. Eligibility: teachers K-12.
Deadline: November 1, 2009.


SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards
The 2010 SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards recognize the outstanding efforts of students and teachers across the country who are working at the grassroots level to protect and preserve the environment. Since this is an awards -- not grant -- program, entrants must demonstrate significant accomplishments that have occurred prior to the submission deadline.
Maximum award: $10,000. Eligibility: schools (grades K-12) and community groups.
Deadline: November 20, 2009.

YSA: UnitedHealth HEROES
UnitedHealth HEROES service-learning grants support youth-led innovative solutions to childhood obesity. Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that combines meaningful service to the community with a school-based curriculum or with program-based learning. Projects must engage youth ages 5-25 in the planning and implementation process and take place during Semester of Service 2010 (MLK Day, January 18, to Global Youth Service Day, April 23-25). Eligibility: Educators, service-learning coordinators, community groups or organizations, and students in the health professions.
Deadline: October 22, 2009.

U.S. Dept. of Education: I Am What I Learn Contest
The Department of Education is asking students to respond to President Obama's challenge to take responsibility for their own learning by creating videos, up to two minutes in length, describing steps they will make to improve their education and the role of education in fulfilling their dreams. Submissions can be video blogs, public service announcements, music videos, or documentaries, and will be voted on by the public.
Maximum Award: $1,000. Eligibility: students age 13 and older.
Deadline: Students must upload their videos to YouTube by October 8, 2009.


NEA/Nickelodeon: Big Green Grants
The NEA Foundation and Nickelodeon's Big Green Grants program is dedicated to the development and implementation of ideas, techniques, and approaches for teaching green concepts to elementary and middle school students. Green Grants to Public School Educators support projects that integrate green-related topics with various standards-based content areas to increase student engagement and improve academic achievement. The grants target environmental education as an area of great promise in helping students develop a sense of environmental stewardship.
Maximum Award: $5,000. Eligibility: K-6 public school educators.
Deadline: October 15, 2009.

Allstate: Grants for National and Local Programs
The Allstate Foundation supports national and local programs for new partnerships that fit within its current focus areas of Teen Safe Driving and Economic Empowerment for Domestic Violence Survivors. Maximum Award: varies. Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations. Deadline: rolling.

NSTA: Sylvia Shugrue Award for Elementary School Teachers
The National Science Teachers Association Sylvia Shugrue Award honors a teacher who has established (or is establishing) an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based lesson plan. The lesson plan must fully reference sources of information and any relevant National Science Education Standards and benchmarks found in The Atlas of Science Literacy. Maximum award: $1,000, as well as up to $500 to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education, March 18-21, 2010, in Philadelphia; the recipient of the award will be honored during the Awards Banquet at the NSTA Conference.
Eligibility: full-time elementary school teachers (grades K-6) with a minimum of three years of experience.
Deadline: Nov. 30, 2009.