Federal charter school implementation grant available

Potential charter school operators in Maine are eligible to apply for a federal grant that would cover some of the planning, design and initial implementation costs for new public charter schools.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program is funding a grant competition for charter school operators and potential operators. Applications are due June 6, 2012.

The Non-SEA Planning, Program Design, and Implementation competition (84.282B) provides grants directly to public charter schools so they can plan, design, and complete the initial implementation of their school. Another competition, the Non-SEA Dissemination competition (84.282C), awards money directly to public charter schools, which they can use to assist other schools in adapting the charter school’s program (or certain aspects of the charter school’s program) or to disseminate information about the charter school.

In 2012, the Department plans to use up to $3 million for these competitions and estimates making between 15 and 19 awards.  The estimated average size of awards is $175,000 per year up to three years (the Department is not bound by any estimates).

Applications are due by June 6, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. Washington, D.C., time and must be submitted through Grants.gov. Applicants must register at Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. The registration process can take between three to five business days, or longer if all steps are not completed in a timely manner.

Pre-application webinars to provide information and answer questions will be held at the following times:

  • April 24, 2012, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.;
  • April 26, 2012, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.;
  • May 3, 2012, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and
  • May 9, 2012, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Those interested in attending a webinar should RSVP to charterschools@ed.gov. Include your contact information and the date of the webinar you would like to attend.

Additional Links

Information from the Maine DOE

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