Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Project to Support America's Families and Educators (Project SAFE) Grant Program Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.184N
Project SAFE grants support local education agencies penalized for implementing COVID-19 prevention strategies in line with CDC guidance to improve student safety.
Funder: U.S. Department of Education – Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Due Dates: May 28, 2025 (Rolling review; applications accepted until this date or until funds are exhausted)
Funding Amounts: Total program funding: $3,200,000. Typical awards: $50,000–$350,000 for up to 12 months; not to exceed the financial penalty incurred.
Summary: Provides grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) financially penalized by their state for implementing CDC-recommended COVID-19 prevention strategies in K–12 schools.
Key Information: Only LEAs penalized by their state for following CDC COVID-19 guidance are eligible; rolling, expedited review.
Description
This grant program supports local educational agencies (LEAs) that have adopted and are implementing one or more strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for COVID-19 prevention in K–12 schools and have incurred or will incur financial penalties from their State Educational Agency (SEA) or other state entity as a result. The funding is designed to offset the impact of such penalties and ensure LEAs can continue implementing science-based strategies to protect student and staff health and safety.
The program aims to help LEAs maintain stability, including staffing and compensation, and to continue the implementation of CDC-recommended COVID-19 prevention measures—such as promoting vaccination, universal masking, physical distancing, improved ventilation, and more—despite state-imposed financial disincentives.
