Universal Screening and Qualified Personnel Grant
Universal Screening and Qualified Personnel Grant supports Colorado administrative units with gifted screening and program leadership to expand equitable identification and strengthen gifted education.
Funder: Colorado Department of Education
Due Dates: March 15, 2026 (Paper-pencil variance) | April 15, 2026 (First window) | April 17, 2026 (Second window) | April 15, 2027 (Annual application)
Funding Amounts: Eligible screening costs and up to 0.5 FTE salary and benefits for one year, subject to appropriations
Summary: Supports Colorado administrative units with universal gifted screening and qualified gifted program leadership costs.
Key Information: The Gifted Director of Record must dedicate at least 0.5 FTE to gifted education for the AU to qualify.
Description
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE), through its Office of Gifted Education and Exceptional Student Services Unit, administers this grant for Colorado administrative units (AUs). Established through House Bill 14-1102 under the Exceptional Children’s Educational Act, the program supports two foundational elements of gifted education: universal screening and dedicated oversight by qualified personnel.
Funding offsets screening costs no later than second grade and at the middle-school level in conjunction with individual career and academic plan (ICAP) development by the end of eighth grade. It also supports the AU’s Gifted Director of Record. The program aims to expand equitable access to gifted identification, especially for underrepresented students, and strengthen rigorous learning environments, evidence-based instruction, social-emotional development, and coordinated services for gifted learners.
