American History and Civics Education

The program supports two types of grants: American History and Civics Academies grants and National Activities grants. American History and Civics Academies grants support the establishment of: (1) Presidential Academies for the Teaching of America

American History and Civics Education (AHC) is designed to improve the quality of teaching and learning in American history, civics, and government. Funds support Presidential Academies for teachers, Congressional Academies for students, and National Activities to promote innovative instruction and professional development for teachers and school leaders.

Institutions of higher education and nonprofit educational organizations, museums, libraries, research centers with demonstrated expertise in historical methodology or the teaching of American history and civics are eligible to apply for Academies grants. Institutions of higher education and other nonprofit and for-profit organizations 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 are eligible to apply for National Activities grants.

Students and their teachers benefit.

American History and Civics Academies funds are to be used to provide intensive workshops for teachers and students. Funds must be used to provide stipends to participants and may be used for a range of other activities including providing salaries for project staff including project directors, evaluators, core teachers and support staff, as well as rental expenses at the academy sites. Funds may not be used for construction. Competitions are announced in the Federal Register. Specific limitations and restrictions for each competition are provided in the Federal Register notice. National Activities funds must be used 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 that: (i) show potential to improve the quality of student achievement in, and teaching of, American history, civics and government, or geography, in elementary schools and secondary schools; and (ii) demonstrate innovation, scalability, accountability, and a focus on underserved populations. Funds may be used for: (i) hands-on civic engagement activities for teachers and students; and (ii ) programs that educate students about the history and principles of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights. Funds may not be used for construction. Funds are subject to supplement, not supplant provisions. Competitions are announced in the Federal Register. Specific limitations and restrictions for each competition are provided in the Federal Register notice.

Awards are made annually. Following an initial, competitively selected award, additional non-competing continuation awards may be made. The possible length of the project is announced in the application notice in the Federal Register. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

The selection criteria for these programs are contained in Section 75.210 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR). The specific criteria to be used for particular grant competitions are announced in the application package or application notice in the Federal Register. Contact the agency for more information.

Awards are competitively selected following review by nonfederal experts in accordance with Subpart D of Part 75 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).

Approximately 120 days.

As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant program (see 34 CFR 75.253). Projects may be awarded for up to 5 years. Generally, for multiple-year awards, continuation awards after the first budget period are made if: sufficient funds have been appropriated; the recipient has either made substantial progress in the meeting of the goals of the project or obtained approval for changes in the project; the recipient has submitted all required reports; and continuation is in the best interest of the government.