Universal Screening and Qualified Personnel Grant
The Universal Screening and Qualified Personnel Grant funds Colorado schools to implement universal gifted screening and support expert oversight of gifted education programs.
Funder: Colorado Department of Education
Due Dates: March 15, 2026 (Variance Request for Paper‑Pencil Assessment) | April 15, 2026 (First submission window) | April 17, 2026 (Second submission window, contingent on funds) | April 15, 2027 (Annual full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: No fixed maximum; covers up to 0.5 FTE salary/benefits for a qualified Gifted Director and per-pupil universal screening costs; annual grant, funds must be fully expended by June 30 of the grant year.
Summary: Provides Colorado Administrative Units with funding to offset costs for universal screening and employing qualified personnel for gifted education programs.
Key Information: Only AUs with at least a 0.5 FTE qualified Gifted Director of Record are eligible; no carryover of funds is allowed.
Description
This grant supports Colorado Administrative Units (AUs) in implementing universal screening for gifted identification and employing qualified personnel to oversee gifted education programs. The funding is intended to ensure equitable access to gifted identification for all students and to maintain compliance with state requirements by supporting foundational elements of gifted programming. The grant covers the costs of per-pupil assessments for universal screening (K–2 and middle grades aligned with ICAP development) and up to 0.5 FTE salary and benefits for a qualified Gifted Director of Record. The program is authorized under the Exceptional Student Education Act (ECEA) and House Bill 14-1102.
