Center for Racial and Social Justice – Racial Justice in Education Grant
Internal — National Education Association only
Center for Racial and Social Justice – Racial Justice in Education Grant supports NEA affiliates’ leadership, organizing, and organizational change to advance racial equity and eliminate racism.
Funder: National Education Association
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 (Applications) | February 2027 (Awards)
Funding Amounts: Typically $5,000–$75,000 over one year; maximum $75,000 per application
Summary: Supports NEA affiliates’ racial justice work through awareness, capacity-building, leadership development, organizing, and organizational transformation.
Key Information: Only NEA state and local affiliates may apply; State Affiliate President support is required.
Description
The National Education Association’s Center for Racial and Social Justice Racial Justice in Education Grants support state and local affiliates in advancing racial equity and eliminating racism. NEA’s Human and Civil Rights Department administers the program, which connects awareness of barriers to racial justice with capacity-building and collective action in education and beyond.
Priorities include expanding the leadership and activism of people of color, including aspiring and early career educators, students, families, parents, and other stakeholders. Funded work may build solidarity across racial groups, develop multiracial and cross-issue unity, or implement values-based organizing campaigns addressing school community issues. Organizational transformation—including equity assessments and audits—is also supported. The guidelines favor action-oriented projects that institutionalize racial equity through policy or systemic change, rather than awareness-building alone.
