Exploration Supports
Forecasted
Exploration Supports from the Colorado Department of Education funds data-driven diagnostic reviews and stakeholder engagement to help schools develop research-based improvement plans.
Funder: Colorado Department of Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026: Application due (projected) for Exploration Supports | September 2026: Final Expenditure Report (FER) in GAINS due each fiscal year (projected) | September 2026: For federal awards: funds must be obligated by 09/30 (projected) | November 2026: For federal awards: funds must be requested by 11/01 (projected) | June 2027: Post-award revisions must be approved by 06/30 (projected)
Funding Amounts: School-level: up to $80,000 (holistic review & planning, external provider); $42,000 (specialized review, CDE services); District-level: $80,000–$150,000 (strategic planning, external provider); Duration: up to 18 months.
Summary: Supports Colorado LEAs and schools in exploring needs and developing improvement plans through diagnostic reviews, stakeholder engagement, and planning under the EASI initiative.
Key Information: Forecasted opportunity—dates and details subject to annual updates; eligibility is restricted to schools/districts identified for improvement.
Description
This opportunity, part of the Empowering Action for School Improvement (EASI) initiative from the Colorado Department of Education, provides funding and technical support to local education agencies (LEAs) and schools to identify needs and develop strategic improvement plans. The grant focuses on external diagnostic reviews, stakeholder engagement, and improvement planning, with optional early implementation funding. The program aims to help schools and districts—especially those newly identified for improvement—gain a comprehensive understanding of their strengths and challenges and build actionable, evidence-based plans for rapid and sustainable improvement.
