New SEED Program Grants Available; Intent to Apply Due May 5
UPDATE: The deadline to submit full applications has been extended to June 21.
The U.S. Department of Education has posted an announcement in the Federal Register opening applications for a new set of Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Program grants. The deadline to submit the intent to apply for these grants is May 5, and full applications are due June 19.
The purpose of the SEED program is to “provide funding to increase the number of highly effective educators by supporting the implementation of evidenced-based practices that prepare, develop, or enhance educators.” The funds are available to institutions of higher education or national nonprofits – don’t miss out on this opportunity for your institution!
Here are some details on the grant application process:
Eligible entities include one or more of the following:
- An institution of higher education
- A national nonprofit organization
- The Bureau of Indian Education
Funding Overview
Award Amount: $1-6 million for the first year of the project. The Department currently estimates that five to eight grants will be awarded, with an average award size of $4 million. The grant period will be for up to 36 months with the possibility of renewal.
Cost Sharing or Matching: Each grant recipient must provide, from a nonfederal source, at least 25% of the funds for the total cost for each year of activities supported by the grant. NOTE: This match does not have to be monetary; the requirement can also be fulfilled with in-kind donations, including things such as staff time, use of resources, etc. Applicants may apply for a financial hardship exemption to waive the matching requirement.
Grant Priorities
Each of the two absolute priorities constitutes its own funding category. The Department intends to award grants under each absolute priority for which applications of sufficient quality are submitted.
Absolute Priorities
- Supporting Effective Teachers – Projects that are designed to improve teacher effectiveness and increase the number of highly effective teachers in schools with high-need students.
- Supporting Effective Principals or Other School Leaders – Projects that are designed to improve principal or other school leader effectiveness and increase the number of highly effective principals or other school leaders in schools with high concentrations of high-need students.
Competitive Preference Priorities (These priorities are optional. Applicants are permitted to address both, one, or none of the competitive priorities.)
- Promoting Diversity in the Educator Workforce – Up to five additional points will be awarded to applicants who meet this priority.
- Support for Personalized Learning Environments – Up to three additional points will be awarded to applicants who meet this priority.
Invitational Priority (This priority will not provide invitational or competitive priority to an application if incorporated.)
- Support for the Use of Micro-Credentials
Contact
Richard Wilson, U.S. Department of Education
(202) 453-6709
SEED@ed.gov
Please be sure to read through the entire announcement before developing your application; there are several definitions and requirements you will be want to be certain your application addresses.
For more information, visit the SEED Program web page. You can also register for the program’s preapplication webinar, to be held May 10, 1:00-3:00 p.m. EDT.
Tags: federal issues, funding, workforce development
