Greetings Colleagues, Here for your review are two funding opportunities from the US Department of Education, seven from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America grants. I’ve included the priorities and selection criteria from the USDE grants to support faculty in making decisions to apply. Also a reminder that WT Grant Foundation applications for Research Grants for Reducing Inequality (https://wtgrantfoundation.org/funding/research-grants-on-reducing-inequality) and Research Grants on Improving the Use of Research Evidence (https://wtgrantfoundation.org/funding/research-grants-on-improving-use-of...) have a deadline on May 1, 2024 at 3 PM EST. Two Spencer Foundation grant competitions—the Racial Equity Research Grants Program (https://www.spencer.org/grant_types/racial-equity-special-research-grants) with an Intent to Apply Form Deadline of May 29, 2024, 12:00 PM Noon (Central/Chicago Time) and the Full Proposal Deadline of June 27, 2024, 12:00 PM Noon (Central/Chicago Time)—and the Large Research Grants on Education Program (https://www.spencer.org/grant_types/large-research-grant) which has an Intent to Apply deadline of May 22, 2024, 12:00 PM Noon (Central/USA Time) and a Full Proposal Deadline of June 18, 2024, 12:00 PM Noon (Central/USA Time). Finally, thank you to faculty members who have recently applied under the new 15-5 day rule and submitted their proposals successfully. Your efforts are appreciated more than you realize. As always, if I can be of any assistance or support with any concerns or questions don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. --Iwan Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) Grant Program https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/04/2024-07183/applicati... The Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) Grant Program, by the Department of Education, is a significant opportunity for eligible partnerships seeking to enhance the preparation and quality of new teachers. This program aims to improve student achievement, elevate the quality of new and prospective teachers, hold teacher preparation programs accountable, and recruit highly qualified individuals into the teaching force. Grant Opportunity Overview: * Deadline for Intent to Apply: May 6, 2024 * Application Deadline: June 3, 2024 * Agency: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education Purpose and Background: The TQP program focuses on: * Enhancing the preparation and professional development of teachers. * Recruiting a diverse teaching force. * Addressing teacher shortages, particularly in high-need areas. Priorities: The program outlines four absolute priorities and several competitive and invitational priorities, aiming to support various models of teacher preparation and school leadership development. Absolute Priorities: 1. Partnership Grants for the Preparation of Teachers: Focuses on effective pre-baccalaureate teacher preparation programs or "fifth-year" programs that incorporate specific reforms. 2. Partnership Grants for the Establishment of Effective Teaching Residency Programs: Supports residency programs in high-need subjects and areas. 3. Development of Leadership Programs in Conjunction With Pre-Baccalaureate Model for Teachers: Aims to prepare school leaders through a partnership that also includes a teacher preparation model. 4. Development of Leadership Programs With Effective Teaching Residency Program: Targets the preparation of school leaders within a teaching residency program framework. Competitive Preference Priorities include: * Competitive Preference Priority 1—Increasing Educator Diversity (up to 4 bonus points). * Competitive Preference Priority 2—Supporting a Diverse Educator Workforce and Professional Growth To Strengthen Student Learning (up to 3 bonus points). * Competitive Preference Priority 3—Meeting Student Social, Emotional, and Academic Needs (up to 2 bonus points). * Competitive Preference Priority 4—Promoting Equity in Student Access to Educational Resources and Opportunities (up to 2 bonus points). Invitational Priorities focus on: * Establishing Grow Your Own (GYO) Programs and Registered Apprenticeship Programs. * Supporting early elementary educators and school leaders. Eligibility and Applications: Eligible partnerships include high-need LEAs, high-need schools, or ECE programs partnered with institutions of higher education (IHEs). Applications must address one of the absolute priorities and can opt to address the competitive and invitational priorities for additional consideration. This funding opportunity is designed to foster innovation and improvement in teacher education, address the critical need for qualified and diverse educators, and ultimately enhance student learning outcomes across the United States. * Estimated Available Funds: $25,000,000 for FY 2024. * Range of Awards: $500,000-$2,000,000. * Estimated Average Size of Awards: $1,000,000 for the first project year, with potential continuation awards subject to fund availability. * Maximum Award: Up to $2,000,000 per applicant per 12-month period. * Estimated Number of Awards: 15-17 awards. * Project Period: 60 months (5 years). Eligible Applicants: Must be an "eligible partnership" involving: 1. A high-need LEA. 2. A high-need school or ECE program, or consortium thereof. 3. A partner institution (IHE) including a school or department of education and a school or department of arts and sciences within the partner institution. 4. May also include state educational agencies, businesses, nonprofits, educational service agencies, teacher organizations, charter schools, etc. Cost Sharing or Matching: Required to match 100% of the grant amount with non-Federal funds, which can be cash or in-kind contributions. Recommended Page Limit: Applicants are advised to limit their application narrative to 50 pages, following specific formatting guidelines such as 8.5" x 11" pages, double-spaced text, and using one of the specified fonts (Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial) of 12 point or larger. A table of contents is strongly recommended. Selection Criteria Total Points Available: 100 (plus aforementioned Competitive Preference Priorities Points) * Quality of Project Design (up to 30 points): Evaluates the proposed project's design quality, including the demonstration of a rationale, clear and measurable goals, comprehensive improvement efforts, reflection of current research and effective practice, incorporation of feedback and continuous improvement, and capacity building for sustainable results. * Quality of Project Evaluation (up to 20 points): Assesses the proposed evaluation methods for validity, reliability, thoroughness, feasibility, and appropriateness relative to the project's goals and outcomes. * Adequacy of Resources (up to 30 points): Considers the adequacy of support and resources from the applicant organization(s), budget adequacy and reasonableness, resource availability for project continuation post-grant, and the relevance and commitment of each project partner. * Quality of Management Plan (up to 20 points): Reviews the management plan's effectiveness in achieving project objectives on time and within budget, including defined responsibilities, timelines, milestones, and procedures for feedback and continuous improvement. Each criterion encompasses specific factors that reviewers will consider, making it crucial for applicants to address these aspects comprehensively in their applications. Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence (Hawkins) Program https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/04/2024-07132/applicati... The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2024 for the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence (Hawkins) Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.428A. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 18, 2024. The Hawkins Program aims to support and advance teacher preparation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Its goal is to bolster the number of well-prepared teachers from diverse backgrounds, particularly for the nation's underserved elementary and secondary schools, thereby addressing student opportunity and achievement gaps. Program Objectives * Enhance Teacher Preparation: Strengthen comprehensive State-accredited teacher preparation programs. * Promote Diversity: Increase the diversity within the teaching workforce to better reflect the student population. * Support Underserved Schools: Focus on preparing teachers to excel in under-resourced schools. Priorities Absolute Priorities (must meet both): 1. Increase and Retain Diverse Teachers: Projects should aim to boost and retain the number of well-prepared teachers from diverse backgrounds. Proposals should detail integration of support services, plans for supporting underrepresented teacher candidates, and initiatives to promote retention. 2. Evidence-Based Clinical Experiences: Projects must propose evidence-based comprehensive teacher preparation programs that provide substantial clinical experience. Proposals should demonstrate a record of producing highly skilled teachers and describe plans to refine or enhance these programs. Competitive Preference Priorities: 1. Bilingual/Multilingual Teacher Certification (up to 5 points): Proposals should focus on preparing teachers capable of providing instruction in languages other than English, detailing integration of services and plans for recruiting and supporting bilingual or multilingual teacher candidates. 2. New Potential Grantees (5 points): Additional points are awarded to applicants without an active grant under the Hawkins Program at the application deadline. Background and Need The Hawkins Program addresses critical gaps in the teacher workforce, especially the underrepresentation of teachers of color and bilingual/multilingual teachers. Despite most U.S. public school students being children of color, only a small fraction of teachers reflect this diversity. Similarly, there's a growing demand for bilingual and multilingual educators to cater to English Learners and students from diverse linguistic backgrounds, underscoring the need for culturally and linguistically relevant teaching. Strategy and Impact Through targeted support for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, the Hawkins Program endeavors to create a more inclusive and effective educational environment. By incorporating evidence-based practices and focusing on comprehensive pre-service experiences, the program seeks to prepare teachers who are not only well-equipped to teach in diverse settings but also more likely to remain in the profession, thereby enhancing student learning outcomes and contributing to educational equity. * Funding: Estimated at $15,000,000 for the competition, with potential for additional awards in subsequent years based on application quality and fund availability. * Award Range: Between $450,000 and $650,000 per award. * Average Award Size: Approximately $550,000. * Number of Awards: Up to 27, subject to Department discretion. * Project Period: Grants can last up to 60 months. Eligibility Eligible applicants include institutions with qualified teacher preparation programs, specifically: * Part B institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, TCUs, Alaska Native-serving institutions, Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and Native American-serving, nontribal institutions. * Consortia of the above institutions or partnerships with other IHEs, provided the center of excellence is located at one of the specified institutions. Important Note: Consortia must detail the role of each member in a group application agreement, as per federal regulations. Cost Sharing There is no requirement for cost sharing or matching for this competition, removing a potential barrier to application for some institutions. Application Guidelines: * Page Limit: Applicants should aim for no more than 50 pages for the application narrative, adhering to standard formatting rules (8.5" x 11" paper, double-spaced text, 1" margins, using specified fonts like Times New Roman or Arial in 12 point or larger). The limit does not apply to sections like the cover sheet, budget details, or assurances. Selection Criteria (Total Score: Up to 110 points): Applications are evaluated based on five main criteria, with the potential to earn additional points through competitive preference priorities. 1. Quality of Project Design (Maximum 50 points): * Comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning (up to 10 points). * Project design reflects current research (up to 5 points). * Goals, objectives, and outcomes are clear and measurable (up to 5 points). * Project design suits the needs of the target population (up to 10 points). * Demonstrates a strong rationale (up to 10 points). * Project implementation and evaluation can guide replication (up to 10 points). 2. Significance (Maximum 20 points): * Potential for system change or improvement (up to 10 points). * Plans for disseminating results for wider use (up to 10 points). 3. Quality of Project Services (Maximum 15 points): * Strategies for ensuring equal access (up to 5 points). * Impact of services on recipients (up to 5 points). * Collaboration with partners to maximize service effectiveness (up to 5 points). 4. Quality of Management Plan (Maximum 5 points): * Adequacy of the plan for achieving project objectives efficiently. 5. Quality of Project Evaluation (Maximum 10 points): * Evaluation will guide effective strategy replication (up to 3 points). * Evaluation methods provide performance feedback (up to 3 points). * Evaluation methods produce evidence of project effectiveness (up to 4 points). Applications will be thoroughly reviewed against these criteria, allowing for a rigorous assessment of their potential impact, design quality, and implementation feasibility. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants NEA Challenge America Grants Part 1 * Due Date: April 30, 2024 * Website: https://www.arts.gov/grants/challenge-america/how-to-apply * Description: This grant is targeted at small and mid-sized organizations with the aim of extending the reach of the arts to populations that are underserved. A key component of the grant is the requirement for a cost share/match equal to the grant amount. The application process is divided into two parts, with Part 1 requiring the completion of the “Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organization Form.” This initial form gathers basic organizational information. For further details on the application process and assistance, applicants are encouraged to visit the NEA website or contact a Challenge America specialist via email at challengeamerica(a)arts.gov. NEA Challenge America Grants Part 2 * Due Date: May 16, 2024 * Website: https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/CA-FY25-Instructions-2.pdf * Description: The second part of the Challenge America grants focuses on detailed proposal submission. Access to Part 2 is contingent upon successful submission of Part 1. This phase involves completing a more comprehensive proposal form through the Applicant Portal, which becomes available according to the calendar specified by NEA. Applicants are advised to prepare their responses and materials in advance to streamline the submission process once the portal opens. National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Grants Dangers & Opportunities of Technology: Perspectives from the Humanities * Due Date: May 7, 2024 * Website: https://www.neh.gov/program/dangers-and-opportunities-technology-perspect... * Description: This program invites applications for research projects that examine the intersection of technology and society through a humanities lens. The NEH is especially interested in projects that explore how technology shapes current social and cultural issues, with a focus on both the dangers and opportunities technology presents. Promotion of the Humanities Teaching and Learning Resources and Curriculum Development * Due Date: May 7, 2024 * Website: https://www.neh.gov/divisions/education * Description: The NEH seeks applications for initiatives aimed at strengthening humanities education at higher education institutions. This includes developing new or enhancing existing programs, resources (in digital format as well), or courses that delve into human cultures, ideas, and practices across time. The goal is to enrich the teaching and study of the humanities. NEH Preservation and Access Education and Training * Due Date: May 21, 2024 * Website: https://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/preservation-and-access-education... * Description: This program supports national, regional, or statewide education and training programs that develop the knowledge and skills of professionals responsible for preserving and providing access to humanities collections. The aim is to prepare staff at cultural institutions to be effective stewards of these collections. NEH Research and Development (Preservation) * Due Date: May 21, 2024 * Website: https://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/research-and-development * Description: Supporting projects at all stages of development and implementation, this program addresses significant challenges in preserving or providing access to humanities collections and resources. It covers a broad range of collection types and encourages work that benefits the preservation community. Dangers and Opportunities of Technology: Perspectives from the Humanities (September) * Due Date: September 12, 2024 * Website: https://www.neh.gov/program/dangers-and-opportunities-technology-perspect... * Description: Part of the NEH’s Humanities Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence initiative, this grant supports research exploring technology's societal impacts. Projects should investigate the ethical, legal, and societal implications of artificial intelligence, contributing to a deeper understanding of these issues. NEH Archaeological and Ethnographic Field Research * Due Date: September 25, 2024 * Website: https://www.neh.gov/program/archaeological-and-ethnographic-field-research * Description: This program provides funding for empirical research, both in the United States and abroad, that seeks to answer questions significant to the humanities. The focus is on supporting fieldwork costs, including travel, accommodations, and equipment, with the ultimate goal of disseminating results through publications and other media. NEH Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education * Due Date: October 1, 2024 * Website: https://www.neh.gov/program/spotlight-humanities-higher-education * Description: This initiative aims to advance the teaching and study of the humanities at small and medium-sized colleges and universities, benefiting underserved populations. It supports a range of activities, including program development, expert consultations, and community engagement, with an emphasis on creating meaningful and lasting impacts on students, faculty, and the broader community. Mr. Iwan Notowidigdo Senior Grant Development Manager The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Education & Human Development (COEHD) iwan.notowidigdo(a)utsa.edu Mobile: 347-231-5931 [cid:ab096558-93a0-488b-9f17-5dbd09ac2e72]