13 must-know federal education grant opportunities in 2020

A fresh start is my favorite part of the new year, especially when it comes to new opportunities in grant funding. 2020 has brought an abundance of sunrises in the education grants landscape, including an increase of funds to many programs . Here are 13 education grants I am looking forward to working on this year.

#1 21st Century Community Learning Centers : Allocated $1.25 billion; an increase of $28 million above the 2019

“This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools.” — U.S. Department of Education

#2 Title I : Allocated $16.310 billion; an increase of $450 million above the 2019 allotment.

“The purpose of this funding is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and state academic assessments.” — U.S. Department of Education

#3 Title II : Allocated $2.132 billion; an increase of $76 million over the 2019 allotment.

“The purpose of this funding is to increase student academic achievement through strategies such as improving teacher/principal quality and increasing the number of highly qualified teachers, principals and assistant principals in schools; and hold local educational agencies and schools accountable for improvements in student academic achievement.” — U.S. Department of Education

#4 Title IV (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants): Allocated $1.210 billion; an increase of $40 million above the 2019 allotment.

The purpose of this funding is to provide a well-rounded education, a safe/supportive learning environment, and instructional technology for students.

#5 Title IV (Full Service Community Schools) also provides opportunities for communities to support activities such as tutoring, reading, math, youth development, drug/violence prevention, counseling, art, music, recreation, instructional technology, character education and literacy/educational opportunities for families.

#6 Magnet Schools Program : $28,638,828 average award, due May 11, 2020.

The Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) “provides grants to eligible local educational agencies to establish and operate magnet schools that are operated under a court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation plan.” — Office of Elementary & Secondary Education

#7 Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program : $6,579,845 award, due Apr. 13, 2020.

“This program provides funding for projects that develop and implement performance-based teacher and principal compensation systems in high-need schools.” — Office of Elementary & Secondary Education

#8 Supporting Effective Educator Development Program : $1,546,986 award, due Apr. 6, 2020.

The Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant program aims “to increase the number of highly effective educators by supporting the implementation of evidence-based preparation, development, or enhancement opportunities for educators.” — Office of Elementary & Secondary Education

SEED is also providing a new grant opportunity in 2020 for $23 million to implement social-emotional learning (SEL) techniques into teacher professional development.

#9 Education and Innovation Research (EIR) Program : This program includes an increased opportunity of $65 million for SEL initiatives.

#10 School Safety National Activities : This program has an additional $10 million in 2020 to provide more mental health and child development professionals in schools.

#11 Ready to Learn Program : $27,741,000 award, due Apr. 14, 2020.

“Ready to Learn Television supports the development of educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families.” — Office of Elementary & Secondary Education

#12 Migrant Education/High School Equivalency Program : $5,693,789 average award, due date TBD.

“The High School Equivalency Program (HEP) helps migratory and seasonal farmworkers (or children of such workers) who are 16 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in school to obtain the equivalent of a high school diploma and, subsequently, to gain employment or begin postsecondary education or training.” — U.S. Department of Education

#13 Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant Program : $8,000,000 award, due Apr. 10, 2020.

The purpose of this funding is “to create a comprehensive literacy program to advance literacy skills, including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing, for children from birth through grade 12, with an emphasis on disadvantaged children, including children living in poverty, English learners and children with disabilities. Eligible applicants include schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education and four Outlying Areas – American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, Guam and the Virgin Islands.” — U.S. Department of Education

Be sure to use your GPS when navigating the grant landscape by reading the funder’s Request for Proposals (RFP) before you begin the application process.  May you find prosperity with all your 2020 grant applications!