AHC-NA FY2026 Full Announcement_ANI_final 5 26 2026.pdf

U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education

American History and Civics Education – National

Activities

Assistance Listing Number: 84.422B

FY 2026 Grant Competition

May 26, 2026

Contents Program Information

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Costs

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Program Description

Priorities

Selection Criteria

Performance Measures

Application Submission Information

Application Review Information

Definitions

Award Requirements

Application Checklist

Program Information The Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the American History and Civics Education – National Activities (AHC-NA) program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The purpose of the AHC- NA program is to promote new and existing evidence-based strategies to encourage innovative American history, civics and government, and geography instruction, learning strategies, and professional development activities and programs for teachers, principals, or other school leaders, particularly such instruction, strategies, activities, and programs that benefit students from low-income backgrounds and other underserved populations. America’s 250th anniversary is a particularly appropriate time to promote innovative teaching and learning that unites our country, honors our history, promotes informed citizenship, and cherishes our freedom as we build the golden age of opportunity.

ED encourages applications to include strong partnerships and active

1 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 87 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering, and maintaining the data needed, and completing and collaboration between eligible entities, local educational agencies, and State educational agencies in their design and proposed implementation. Project activities should reflect the best available research and practice in teaching and learning.

Assistance Listing Number: 84.422B.

Program Authority: Section 2233 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), 20 U.S.C.

6663.

OMB Control Number: 1894-0006.1

For Further Information: Orman Feres.

Telephone: 202-453-6921. Email:

orman.feres@ed.gov or AmericanHistoryandCivics@ED.gov.

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Estimated Available Funds: $19,800,000.

Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.

Estimated Range of Awards: $500,000 to $1 million.

reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain benefit and is voluntary. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number 1894-0006. Note: Please do not return completed applications to this address.

https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/6663 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/6663 mailto:orman.feres@ed.gov mailto:AmericanHistoryandCivics@ED.gov mailto:ICDocketMgr@ed.gov

Estimated Average Size of Awards:

$650,000 per budget period.

Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $1,000,000 to any applicant per 12-month budget period.

Estimated Number of Awards: 10.

Project Period: Up to 36 months, with potential for renewal of up to an additional 24 months.

Application Deadline: July 13, 2026

Note: This application notice and instructions is the official document governing the grant competition.

Contingent upon the quality of applications, the Department anticipates using available funds to make awards for the full 36-month project period. ED is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants To receive funds under this program, an applicant must be an institution of higher education or other nonprofit or for-profit organization with demonstrated expertise in the development of evidence-based approaches with the potential to improve the quality of American history, civics and government, or geography learning and teaching.

Note: If multiple eligible entities wish to form a consortium and jointly submit a single application, they must follow the procedures for group applications described in 34 CFR

75.127 - 75.129.

Costs Indirect Cost Rate Information

This program uses a restricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see this webpage.

Administrative Cost Limitation

This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses.

All administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Cost Sharing or Matching

This competition does not require cost sharing or matching.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-75/subject-group-ECFR62b47a3afdf9b5d https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-75/subject-group-ECFR62b47a3afdf9b5d http://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ofo#Indirect-Cost-Division https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E

Supplement-Not-Supplant

This program involves supplement-not-supplant funding requirements. In accordance with section 2301 of the ESEA, funds made available under this program must be used to supplement, and not supplant, other non-Federal funds that would otherwise be expended to carry out activities under this program.

Subgrantees

A grantee under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application.

Renewal

ED may renew a grant awarded under this section for up to two additional years if the grantee demonstrates to ED that the grantee is effectively using funds.2 Such renewal may include allowing the grantee to scale up or replicate the successful program.

Note: During the third year of the project period for grants awarded under this competition, if ED exercises the option to offer an opportunity for renewals, ED will provide grantees with information on the renewal process. This additional funding is intended not only to support continuation of approved project activities, but also to encourage scaling, replication, and sustainability efforts and strategies. In making decisions on whether to award a 2-year renewal award, we intend to review performance data submitted in regularly required reporting, as well as potentially request narrative information to be assessed using selection criteria from 34 CFR 75.210, and any other relevant information.

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Applications Available May 26 through July 13, Application Deadline July 13, 2026 Deadline for Intergovernmental Review September 21, 2026

Applicants are required to follow the 2025 Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42234) and available at ED 2025 Common Instructions.

2 Authorized under section 2212(b)(2) of the ESEA.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR33307b241f927e7/section-75.210 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant

Program Description

Priorities This notice includes one absolute priority and two competitive preference priorities. The absolute priority is from section 2233 of the ESEA. Competitive Preference Priority 1 is from the Secretary's Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Promoting Patriotic Education (Promoting Patriotic Education Supplemental Priority), published in the Federal Register on May 22, 2026 (91 FR 30291). Competitive Preference Priority 2 is from the Secretary's Supplemental Priorities and Definitions on Evidence-Based Literacy, Education Choice, and Returning Education to the States (2025 Supplemental Priorities), published in the Federal Register on September 9, 2025 (90 FR 43514).

Absolute Priority: ED considers only applications that address the absolute priority.

Competitive Preference Priorities: An application may receive a maximum of 10 additional points under Competitive Preference Priority 1 and a maximum of 10 additional points under Competitive Preference Priority 2, for a maximum of 20 additional points under the competitive preference priorities. ED will not review or award points for a competitive preference priority if an applicant fails to clearly identify it as a competitive preference priority that it wishes ED to consider for purposes of awarding competitive preference priority points.

Priority Type Priority Title Required Priority Language Points Absolute Priority

Innovative Instruction or Professional Development in American History, Civics and Government, and Geography

Yes Under this priority, we provide funding to projects that are designed to develop, implement, expand, evaluate, and disseminate for voluntary use, innovative, evidence-based approaches or professional development programs in American history, civics and government, and geography.

To meet this priority, a project must—

(a) Show potential to improve the quality of teaching of and student achievement

Not applicable https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/22/2026-10347/final-priority-and-definitions-secretarys-supplemental-priority-and-definitions-on-promoting https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/09/2025-17310/final-priorities-and-definitions-secretarys-supplemental-priorities-and-definitions-on in American history, civics and government, or geography, in elementary schools and secondary schools; and

(b) Demonstrate innovation, scalability, accountability, and a focus on underserved populations.

Competitive Preference Priority 1

Promoting Patriotic Education

No

Projects that are designed to provide an introduction to and understanding of the founding documents and primary sources of the American political tradition, in a manner consistent with the principles of a patriotic education. Projects may address one or more of the following topics:

(a) United States Constitution, government, and civics.

(b) United States history and geography.

(c) United States art (architecture, painting, music, photography, theater, cinema, and sculpture, etc.).

(d) The founding documents and primary sources of Western Civilization and the American founding and their influence on the

Up to 10 points

American political tradition.

Competitive Preference Priority 2

Returning Education to the States

No Projects or proposals that will be carried out by entities identified, designated, or endorsed by a Governor or chief State education official for purposes of implementing the project or proposal.

0 or 10 points

Selection Criteria Selection criteria outline how the application will be scored. The maximum possible total score an application can receive for addressing the criteria is 100 points. The maximum possible score for addressing each criterion is indicated in parentheses following the criterion. The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210.

(a) Quality of the project design (Up to 30 points): The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a rationale that is aligned with the purposes of the grant program. (Up to 10 points)

(ii) The likely benefit to the intended recipients, as indicated by the logic model or other conceptual framework, of the services to be provided. (Up to 10 points)

(iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project reflect up-to-date knowledge and an evidence-based project component.

(Up to 10 points)

(b) Significance (Up to 10 points): The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project. In determining the significance of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely to be attained by the proposed project, especially contributions toward improving teaching practice and student learning and achievement. (Up to 5 points) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.210

(ii) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the proposed project will lead to meaningful improvements in the achievement of students as measured against rigorous and relevant standards. (Up to 5 points)

(c) Quality of the management plan (Up to 20 points): The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified, measurable, and ambitious yet achievable within the project period, and aligned with the purposes of the grant program. (Up to 10 points)

(ii) The feasibility of the management plan to achieve project objectives and goals on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project tasks. (Up to 10 points)

(d) Adequacy of resources (Up to 20 points): The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed project. In determining the adequacy of resources, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The adequacy of support for the project, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from the applicant or the lead applicant organization. (Up to 10 points)

(ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the number of persons to be served, the depth and intensity of services, and the anticipated results and benefits. (Up to 10 points)

(e) Quality of the project evaluation or other evidence building (Up to 20 points): The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation or other evidence building of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the evaluation or other evidence building, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation or other evidence-building include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and will produce quality data that are quantitative and qualitative. (Up to 10 points)

(ii) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating the proposed project will result in information to guide possible replication of project activities or strategies, including valid and reliable information about the effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the project. (Up to 10 points)

** For a more detailed breakdown of the optional scoring rubric for each selection criterion and factor, see the Appendix at the end of this document.

Ranking Applications

Applications will be ranked based on their total score including all selection criteria and competition preference priorities. If there is a tie score for the final award on the funding slate, the grant will be awarded to the applicant with the highest raw score on the selection criteria. Should a tie remain following the use of the tie breaker, the higher rank order position will go to the application with the highest point subtotal for Quality of the project design.

Performance Measures For the purposes of ED reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, we have established the following performance objective for the AHC-NA Program: Participants will demonstrate through pre-and post-assessments an increased understanding of American history, civics and government, and geography.

ED advises an applicant for a grant under this program to give careful consideration to this measure in conceptualizing the approach to, and evaluation of, its proposed project. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual and final performance reports, data about its performance with respect to this measure.

Applications must describe:

The data collection and reporting methods the applicant would use and why those methods are likely to yield reliable, valid, and meaningful performance data.

The applicant's capacity to collect and report reliable, valid, and meaningful performance data, as evidenced by high-quality data collection, analysis, and reporting in other projects or research.

Program Measure Description Program Performance Measure 1 The average percentage gain on an assessment after participation in the grant activities.

Application Submission Information Pre-Application Webinar https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-75/subpart-C/section-75.110

ED intends to conduct informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants for grants under the program. These informational webinars occur approximately 2 weeks after the publication of this notice on Grants.gov at the AHC-NA website.

Registration

To apply, you must first be registered in two systems: SAM.gov and Grants.gov. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up to date.

Grants.gov registration involves several steps, including registration on SAM.gov. You may begin working on your application while completing the registration process, but you cannot apply until all registration steps are complete. Once your SAM registration is active, it will take 24-48 hours for the information to become available in Grants.gov. For detailed information on the registration steps, please go to Grants.gov Applicant Registration.

Please note that your organization will need to update its SAM registration annually.

ED strongly recommends that you do not wait until the last day to submit your application.

Grants.gov will put a date/time stamp on your application and then process it after it is fully uploaded. If Grants.gov rejects your application, you will need to resubmit successfully to Grants.gov before 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.

You must provide the Unique-Entity ID (UEI) on your application that was used when you registered as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) on Grants.gov. This UEI is assigned to your organization in SAM at the time your organization registers in SAM. If you

SAM.gov

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process early.

To register, go to SAM.gov and click on "Get Started."

Click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register in SAM.gov.

If you need help, you can call 866-606-8220 or live chat with the Federal Service Desk.

Grants.gov

You must also have an active account with Grants.gov.

To register, go to Grants.gov and click “Register.” When ready, click on “Get Registered Now” and complete the required fields.

For more information or assistance, click on “Applicant Registration Page.”

https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-birth-grade-12/well-rounded-education-grants/american-history-and-civics-national-activities-grants https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-birth-grade-12/well-rounded-education-grants/american-history-and-civics-national-activities-grants http://www.sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/entity-registration https://sam.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/entity-checklist.pdf https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/register https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/register.faces?INITIAL_LOAD=true https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/register.faces?INITIAL_LOAD=true https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration do not enter the UEI assigned by SAM on your application, Grants.gov will reject your application.

A Grants.gov applicant must apply online using Workspace, a shared environment in Grants.gov where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. The Grants.gov website contains further instructions on how to apply.

Intergovernmental Review

This is subject to Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. One of the objectives of Executive Order 12372 is to strengthen federalism – or the distribution of responsibility between localities, States, and the Federal government – by fostering intergovernmental partnerships. This idea includes supporting processes that State or local governments have developed to coordinate and review proposed Federal financial grant applications. Grant applicants need to contact State Single Points of Contact (SPOC) for information on their State’s procedures. Multi- State applicants should follow procedures specific to each state. Further information about the SPOC List and the official list of entities can be found online.

Absent specific State review programs, applicants may submit comments directly to the point of contact listed in this notice.

Verify Submission

Verify that Grants.gov received your application submission on time and that it was validated successfully. To see the date/time your application was received, log in to Grants.gov and click on the Track My Application link. For a successful submission, the date/time received should be earlier than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the deadline date, AND the application status should be: Validated, Received by Agency, or Agency Tracking Number Assigned.

If the date/time received is later than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date, your application is late. If your application has a status of “Received,” it is still awaiting validation by Grants.gov. Once validation is complete, the status will either change to “Validated” or “Rejected with Errors.” If the status is “Rejected with Errors,” your application has not been received successfully. Some of the reasons Grants.gov may reject an application can be found on the Encountering Error Messages webpage at Grants.gov.

For more detailed information on troubleshooting Adobe errors, you can review the Adobe Reader Software Tip Sheet. If you discover your application is late or has been rejected, please see the instructions below. Note: You will receive a series of confirmations both https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.ojp.gov/IntergovernmentalReviewSPOCList.pdf https://www.grants.gov/applicants/encountering-error-messages https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility online and via e-mail about the status of your application. Please do not rely solely on e-mail to confirm whether your application has been received timely and validated successfully.

Helpful Hints When Working with Grants.gov

Please go to the Grants.gov Support Center for help with Grants.gov. For additional tips related to submitting grant applications, please refer to the Grants.gov Applicant FAQs as well as additional information on Workspace.

Submission Problems – What should you do?

If you have problems submitting to Grants.gov before the closing date, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726 or via email at: support@grants.gov. You may also access the Grants.gov Self- Service Knowledge Base web portal.

Application Review Information Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, ED may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217, information outside the rank order of applications, including the information in each application; and any other information—

(a) Relevant to a criterion, priority, or other requirement that applies to the selection of applications for new grants;

(b) Concerning the applicant's performance and use of funds under a previous award under any ED program; and

(c) Concerning the applicant's failure under any ED program to submit a performance report or its submission of a performance report of unacceptable quality.

Before making awards, ED staff will screen applications submitted in accordance with the requirements in this notice to determine whether applications have met eligibility and other requirements, including whether an application may fail to meet the “Terms and Conditions” applicable to awarded funds referenced elsewhere within this notice. This screening process may occur at various stages of the review and selection process.

Applicants that are determined to be ineligible will not receive a grant, regardless of whether the application was included in the peer review process. Applications not selected for funding will be informed of ED’s decision in accordance with 34 CFR 75.218.

In addition, in making a competitive grant award, ED requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or https://www.grants.gov/support https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-faqs https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.217#p-75.217(d)(3) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.217#p-75.217(d)(3) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.218 activities receiving Federal financial assistance from ED (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

Definitions The definition of “evidence-based” is from section 8101 of the ESEA. The definitions of “evaluation,” “evidence-building,” “demonstrates a rationale,” “logic model,” “project component,” “quality data,” and “relevant outcome” are from 34 CFR 77.1. The definitions of “American political tradition,” and “patriotic education,” are from the Promoting Patriotic Education Supplemental Priority.

American political tradition includes the founding documents, essential principles of republican government, and historical development of America’s government; key works of history, literature, humanities, and art; the influence of Western Civilization, such as ancient Greece, Rome, and Judeo-Christianity, on the founders’ values; the history of Western Europe linked to the history and development of the United States; the influence of the founders’ religious beliefs on their conceptions of liberty and government; and the founding documents and primary sources of the American founding (ideas, traditions, institutions, and texts essential to American constitutional government) with a focus on the first principles of the founding (natural law and natural rights), their inclusion in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and their development over time that has shaped America’s culture.

Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in the project’s logic model is informed by research or evaluation findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve relevant outcomes.

Evaluation means an assessment using systematic data collection and analysis of one or more programs, policies, practices, and organizations intended to assess their implementation, outcomes, effectiveness, or efficiency.

Evidence-based means an activity, strategy, or intervention that—

(a) Demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on—

(i) Strong evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented experimental study;

(ii) Moderate evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental study; or https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-100.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-104.5 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-106.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-108.8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-110.23 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-77.1%22%20/t%20%22_blank

(iii) Promising evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias; or

(iv) (1) Demonstrates a rationale based on high-quality research findings or positive evaluation that such activity, strategy, or intervention is likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant outcomes; and

(2) Includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of such activity, strategy, or intervention.

Evidence-building means a systematic plan for identifying and answering questions relevant to programs and policies through performance measurement, exploratory studies, or program evaluation.

Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a framework that identifies key project components of the proposed project (i.e., the active “ingredients” that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the theoretical and operational relationships among the key project components and relevant outcomes.

Patriotic education means an accurate and honest presentation of the history of America grounded in an analysis of the primary sources of America’s founding, the principles that shaped America’s founding, and how those ideals continue to influence the nation’s aspirations today.

Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).

Quality data encompasses utility, objectivity, and integrity of the information. “Utility” refers to how the data will be used, either for its intended use or other uses. “Objectivity” refers to data being accurate, complete, reliable, and unbiased. “Integrity” refers to the protection of data from being manipulated.

Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the specific goals of the program.

Award Requirements Terms and Conditions

If you are awarded a grant under this competition, you must ensure and may be required to demonstrate that federal funds will not be used under this project in any manner that violates the United States Constitution, Title VI or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq. or 42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.), the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. 7905), section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1011f), or other applicable federal law.

Please note the provisions of Executive Orders 14151, 14168, 14173, and 14190 as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s July 29, 2025, non-regulatory “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination,” which clarifies the application of federal antidiscrimination laws to programs or initiatives that may involve discriminatory practices, including those labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) programs.

Such activities may risk violating federal civil rights laws and may jeopardize federal funding. This includes any discriminatory equity ideology in violation of a Federal anti-discrimination law. A definition of “discriminatory equity ideology” is contained in Section 2(b) of Executive Order 14190. To the extent that any entity receiving grant funds under this grant uses those grant funds for such unallowable activities, ED reserves the right to take appropriate enforcement actions, including the recovery of grant funds or may pursue termination or non-continuation. The Grant Award Notification document accompanying your award may contain further terms and conditions, as necessary, to ensure grantee compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and administrative priorities.

Applicable Regulations

(a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of ED in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements For Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of ED in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The Promoting Patriotic Education Supplemental Priority. (e) The 2025 Supplemental Priorities.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only.

Continuation Awards https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/2000d https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/2000d https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/2000e https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/1681 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/29/794 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/6101 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/12131 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/7905 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/1011f https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1409486/dl https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1409486/dl

In making a continuation award determination under 34 CFR 75.253, ED considers, among other things: whether a grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget; if ED has established performance measurement requirements, whether the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the performance targets in the grantee’s approved application; and whether the grant continues to be in the best interest in the federal government.

In making a continuation award determination, ED also considers whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the terms and conditions specified elsewhere in this notice and the assurances in its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from ED (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23). In making any continuation award determination, ED may consider all relevant information.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.253 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-100.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-104.5 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-106.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-108.8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-110.23

Application Checklist The application will require you to fill out several forms, which are listed and linked in Grants.gov. See below for a description of forms and sections:

1. Standard Documents

❑ Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

❑ ED Supplemental Information for SF-424

❑ ED Grant Application Form for Project Objectives and Performance Measures Information

2. Budget Information

❑ Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)

3. Abstract Form

❑ Project Abstract

4. Project Narrative

❑ Application Narrative (Project Narrative Attachment Form)

5. Budget Narrative

❑ Budget Narrative Attachment Form

6. Other Attachment Forms

❑ Individual Resumes for Project Director & Key Personnel

❑ Documentation of Nonprofit Status (if applicable)

❑ Certification of LEA Eligibility

7. Assurances and Certifications

❑ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL)

❑ Grants.gov Lobbying Form

Part 1: Standard Documents

❑ Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

❑ ED Supplemental Information for SF-424

These forms require basic identifying information about the applicant and the application. Please provide all requested applicant information (including name, address, e-mail address and UEI). When applying electronically via Grants.gov, you will need to ensure that the UEI on your application is the same as the UEI your organization used when it registered with the System for Award Management.

Applicants are advised to complete the Application for Federal Assistance (Form SF-424) first. Grants.gov will automatically insert the correct Assistance Listing Number and program name automatically wherever needed on other forms.

Please do not attach any narratives, supporting files, or application components to the Standard Form (SF-424). Although this form accepts attachments, ED will only review materials/files attached in accordance with the instructions provided within this application.

Part 2: Budget Information

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)

The SF-424A Budget Information Form is required. This part of your application contains information about the Federal funding you are requesting. The form requires total funding requests for each year of the project but only requires detailed information for Year 1 of the project. You will provide information on all years of the project, including an itemized budget breakdown for each year of the proposed project, in your Budget Narrative. Specific instructions for completing the Budget Narrative are provided within this application notice and instructions under Budget Narrative. Budget Narrative attachments are not included in the page count.

Instructions for completing SF-424A:

The SF-424A has six sections (A-F). While the form includes several sections and boxes, please use the information below to complete only the necessary sections.

Section A – Budget Summary

• Section A-Budget Summary: Enter the name of the grant program for which you are requesting funds in 1(a).

• Section A-Budget Summary: 1(b): Enter the Assistance Listing Number (84.422B).

• Section A-Budget Summary: 1(e) “Federal”: Include the total amount requested for the entire performance period. The amount you enter here will auto populate in 5 (e).

• Section A-Budget Summary: 1(f) “Non-Federal”: Only include an amount in this section if you propose to include non-Federal financial resources as part of this project, including any non-Federal funds to meet any program cost sharing requirements. If not including non-Federal financial resources, leave this blank or include 0.

• Section A-Budget Summary: 1(g): If using Grants.gov form, the total amount included here will be auto-calculated based on what is included in 1(e ) and 1(f).

Section B – Budget Categories

Section B-Budget Categories:

• Line 6. Object Class Categories: The categories listed here (a-k) are the categories you will need to further describe in the Budget Narrative. For this section, only include the total amount by category for Year 1 of the project. You will provide a breakdown by category for each year of the project in the Budget Narrative. If using Grants.gov, line 6 column (1) will be auto-populated with the name of the program for which you are requesting funding.

o Personnel (line 6a.): Enter project personnel salaries and wages only.

Include fees and expenses for consultants on line 6f or 6h.

o Fringe Benefits (line 6b): The organization’s normal fringe benefits contribution may be charged to the program. Leave this line blank if fringe benefits applicable to direct salaries and wages are treated as part of the indirect cost.

o Travel (line 6c): Indicate the travel costs of employees and participants only. Include travel of persons such as consultants on line 6f or 6h.

o Equipment (line 6d): Indicate the cost of tangible, non-expendable personal property that has a usefulness greater than one year and acquisition costs that are the lesser of the capitalization level established by the applicant entity for financial statement purposes or $10,000 per article. Lower limits may be established to maintain consistency with the applicant’s policy.

o Supplies (line 6e): Show all tangible, expendable personal property.

Direct supplies and materials differ from equipment in that they are consumable, expendable, and of a relatively low unit cost. Supplies purchased with grant funds should directly benefit the grant project and be necessary for achieving the goals of the project.

o Contractual (line 6f): The contractual category should include all costs specifically incurred with actions that the applicant takes in conjunction with an established internal procurement system. Include consultant fees, expenses, and travel costs in this category if the consultant’s services are obtained through a written binding agreement or contract.

o Construction (line 6g): Construction funds are not authorized, unless specified by the program. If construction is allowable, include the amount request for construction costs.

o Other (line 6h): Indicate all direct costs not covered on lines 1-6. For example, include costs such as space rental, required fees, honoraria and travel (where a contract is not in place for services), training, and communication and printing costs. If applicable, include stipends under other. Do not include stipends when calculating the indirect cost. Do not include costs that are included in the indirect cost rate.

o Total Direct Costs (line 6i): The sum of lines 6a-6h. If using Grants.gov, this number is auto-calculated.

o Indirect Costs (line 6j): Indicate the applicant’s approved indirect cost rate, per 34 CFR 75.560 - 75.564. If an applicant does not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement with a cognizant Federal agency, the applicant must apply to ED for a temporary indirect cost rate if it wishes to charge indirect costs to the grant. For more information, go to ED's website. In addition, a grantee, if it is eligible, may also use de minimis rate as provided for under 2 CFR 200.414(f).

o Total Cost (line 6i and 6j): This number should be equal to sum of lines 6i- 6j (total of direct costs + indirect costs). If using Grants.gov, this number is auto-calculated. The sum for column one, labeled Project Year 6 (1), should also be equal to item 15a on the application cover sheet (SF Form 424).

• Line 7. Program Income: You may leave this field blank.

Section C – Non-Federal Resources

This section should only be completed if you are proposing a cost share or if the program for which you are applying requires a Non-Federal cost share. If include a cost share, provide a breakdown by including the dollars that will come from the applicant, State, and other sources, as applicable.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-75/subject-group-ECFRbcd9b7674b344f2 https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ofo#Indirect-Cost-Division https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414

Section D – Forecasted Cash Needs

• Line 13. Federal: The total for 1st Year column will automatically calculate based on the funding amounts included in Quarters 1-4. These quarters apply to Year One ONLY. Enter the forecasted cash needs from Federal sources for each quarter of the first program year. The amount entered for each quarter will be used to auto-calculate the amount in line 15 and is your forecasted needs. You will have an opportunity to provide updates to these quarterly amounts in post-award.

• Line 14. Non-Federal: The total for 1st year column will automatically calculate based on the funding amounts included in Quarters 1-4. These quarters apply to Year One ONLY. Leave this blank for each quarter if you are not including any Non-Federal Funds. If including non-Federal funds, enter the forecasted cash needs from non-Federal sources for the first quarter of the first program year. If not applicable, leave blank.

• Line 15. (sum of lines 13 and 14): If using Grants.gov, the total is auto-calculated.

Section E – Budget Estimates of Federal Funds Needed for Balance of the Project

This section collects information for future funding periods. While the columns are labeled First (b) through Fourth (e), this is the section where you will include the total amount of Federal funds requested for Years 2-5, for five-year projects. You are only including the total amount of Federal funds requested for the outyears beyond Year 1.

The total amount in Section D. line 13 plus the total amount in the outyears should match the project total requested in Section A line 5 (e).

• Line 16 Column (a) Grant Program: If using Grants.gov, this box will be auto-populated with the name of the program you included in Section A Line 1.

• Line 16 Column (b) First: Include the total amount requested for the first outyear.

Year 2 of the project. Ensure this amount matches what is in your Budget Narrative.

• Line 16 Column (c) Second: Include the total amount requested for the second outyear. Year 3 of the project. Ensure this amount matches what is in your Budget Narrative.

• Line 16 Column (d) Third: Include the total amount requested for the third outyear. Year 4 of the project. Ensure this amount matches what is in your Budget Narrative.

• Line 16 Column (e) Fourth: Include the total amount requested for the fourth outyear. Year 5 of the project. Ensure this amount matches what is in your Budget Narrative.

Section F – Other Budget Information

• Line 21. Direct Charges: You may leave this field blank.

• Line 22. Indirect Charges: Enter the type of indirect rate (provisional, predetermined, final or fixed) or 15% de minimis rate that will be in effect during the funding period, the estimated amount of the base to which the rate is applied, and the total indirect expense.

Line 23. Remarks: You may leave this field blank.

Part 3: Abstract Form

Eligible applicants must submit a project abstract, not to exceed one page, to the Abstract Form. The one-page abstract should be limited to 2000 characters and should be written in a language that can be understood by a range of audiences. The abstract should be uploaded to the Abstract Form section of the Grants.gov application submission package and should contain the following information:

• The name and eligibility classification of each applicant;

• Provide a list of the names of all participating LEAs, State agencies (including the Bureau of Indian Education if it is an applicant), or nonprofit or for-profit organizations or entities in the application;

• Indicate if the application is from a single eligible applicant or a partnership and identify the applicant’s eligibility classification (e.g., an LEA);

• Describe the reach of the proposed project by indicating the total number of schools, teachers, principals, etc., and students directly impacted by the project in the participating LEA(s);

• A summary statement of the project objectives and activities; and

• An identification of the absolute and competitive preference priorities for which the applicant is applying.

Part 4: Project Narrative

This section should be attached as a single document to the Project Narrative Attachment Form. Ensure that you only attach the ED approved file types detailed in the 2025 Common https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant

Instructions. When attaching files, applicants should limit the size of their file names.

Lengthy file names could result in difficulties with opening and processing your application.

The Project Narrative should describe the project that an applicant would carry out as well as other required elements if its application is funded. It also should include the eligible applicant’s response to the selection criteria since the application will be evaluated and scored against these criteria. The Project Narrative should, as a general matter, follow the order of the selection criteria. It should contain clear headings to help ED staff and peer reviewers match the narrative with the selection criteria.

It is also important that applicants here clearly describe their approach to the absolute priority and competitive preference priorities for which they intend to address. Depending on the priority, an applicant may be able to address a priority fully within the context of its selection criteria discussion. In other cases, an applicant may wish to address a priority outside of the selection criteria discussion.

The Project Narrative should be organized in the following manner in order to expedite the review process. First, a Table of Contents should be included which shows how your Project Narrative is organized and where important sections of your proposal are located.

The Table of Contents should not exceed one double spaced page.

ED encourages applicants to limit this section of the application to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages. The Table of Contents does not count toward this desired limit.

Part 5: Budget Narrative

This section should be attached as a single document to the Budget Narrative Attachment Form. It should be organized in the following manner and include the following parts in order to expedite the review process. Ensure that you attach the ED approved file types detailed in the 2025 Common Instructions.

Each application must also provide a Budget Narrative for requested Federal funds. The Budget Narrative for requested Federal funds should provide a justification of how the money requested for each budget item will be spent, and the total amounts for each project year should match the total amounts in Section E – Budget Estimates of Federal Funds Needed for Balance of the Project in SF-424A.

This section requires an itemized budget breakdown for each project year and the basis for estimating the costs of personnel…