Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)--Grants to State Entities (State Entity Grants), Assistance Listing Number 84.282A

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Description

This opportunity, administered by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, provides competitive grants to state entities to support the development, replication, and expansion of high-quality charter schools. The program aims to increase the number of high-quality charter schools serving elementary and secondary students, including those in early childhood or postsecondary programs, in states with enabling charter school statutes.

State entities that receive funding must use at least 90% of grant funds to award subgrants to eligible applicants (e.g., charter school developers) for opening new charter schools, replicating successful models, or expanding existing high-quality charter schools. The program also supports technical assistance and quality improvement for charter authorizers.

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Due Dates

• Application Deadline: June 9, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, via Grants.gov)
• Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 7, 2025

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Funding Amount

• Estimated Total Funding: $107,000,000
• Estimated Range of Awards: $2,000,000 to $20,000,000 per year
• Estimated Average Award: $9,000,000 per year
• Project Period: Up to 60 months (5 years)
• Subgrant Maximum: $2,000,000 per charter school (over 5 years)
• Number of Awards: 4–6 anticipated

Administrative costs are capped at 3% of the grant; at least 7% must be reserved for technical assistance and authorizer quality improvement.

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Eligibility

• Eligible Applicants:

  • State entities in states with a statute specifically authorizing the establishment of charter schools.
  • "State entity" means:
    • State educational agency (SEA)
    • State charter school board
    • Governor of a state
    • Charter school support organization

• Ineligible States:

  • States with an active CSP State Entity grant (not in final budget period or with a planned extension) are ineligible.
  • States with a grant in its final period (and not seeking extension) or operating under a no-cost extension may apply.

• Other Notes:

  • Only one state entity per state will be funded.
  • Charter school developers in states without an active State Entity grant may apply directly to the federal CSP Developer program.

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Application Process

• Submission:

  • Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by the deadline.
  • Follow the Common Instructions for Applicants for Department of Education discretionary grants.

• Required Components:

  • Detailed program narrative addressing all application requirements (see official notice for specifics).
  • Description of objectives, subgrant process, technical assistance, and oversight plans.
  • Assurances regarding charter school autonomy, inclusion, and compliance.
  • Performance measures and data collection plans.
  • Budget and justification.

• Review Criteria:

  • Quality of project design (30 points)
  • Quality of eligible applicants receiving subgrants (15 points)
  • State plan (35 points)
  • Quality of management plan (20 points)
  • Up to 10 additional points for addressing competitive preference priorities

• Priorities:

  • Absolute Priority: Best Practices for Charter School Authorizers (required)
  • Competitive Preference Priorities (optional, up to 10 points):
    1. Multiple authorizers or appeals process
    2. Equitable financing
    3. Best practices for improving struggling schools
    4. Charter school facilities support
    5. Serving at-risk students
  • Invitational Priority: Innovative charter school models

• Pre-Application Webinar:

  • The Department will host a technical assistance webinar (details on the program page).

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Additional Information

• Use of Funds:

  • At least 90% for subgrants to eligible applicants (charter school developers)
  • At least 7% for technical assistance and authorizer quality improvement
  • No more than 3% for administrative costs

• Subgrant Activities:

  • Opening new charter schools
  • Replicating high-quality charter schools
  • Expanding high-quality charter schools
  • Eligible uses include professional development, supplies, minor renovations, community engagement, and other startup costs

• Reporting & Compliance:

  • Annual and final performance reports required
  • Grantees must participate in technical assistance and annual project directors’ meetings
  • Open licensing of grant deliverables is required

• Restrictions:

  • No cost-sharing or matching required
  • Subgrants for the same school are limited to one per 5-year period (with some exceptions)
  • Charter schools previously funded for similar activities under other CSP programs are ineligible for duplicative funding

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External Links

• Full Notice of Application (PDF)
• Grants.gov Opportunity Page
• Department of Education CSP State Entities Program Page
• Common Instructions for Applicants (Federal Register)

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Contact Information

For accessibility requests, contact the program office for alternative formats.

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