The University of Northern Iowa received a $1.22M Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the American History and Civics Education program (CFDA 84.422) for the Iowa Civic Educators Institute. The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, supports professional development and instructional initiatives designed to improve teaching and learning in American history, civics, government, and geography at the K-12 level. Based on the program's focus areas, the Institute is expected to deliver teacher professional development activities—potentially including seminars, summer institutes, and curriculum development—that equip educators with evidence-based instructional strategies and content expertise in civics and American history.
The American History and Civics Education program prioritizes innovative approaches to civic education and teacher preparation, with recent awards supporting initiatives tied to America's 250th anniversary, digital education platforms, and K-12 curriculum development. As a higher education institution with demonstrated expertise in education and community engagement, UNI is well-positioned to develop and deliver the professional development and instructional resources that constitute the core deliverables of this award, which fits within the program's broader strategy of strengthening civics education across American schools.