Innovation Funding Initiative

The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) has launched the Innovation Funding Initiative: Cohort 1, aimed at empowering school districts within Orange County to implement innovative, scalable strategies that improve student outcomes and engagement. This funding opportunity is rooted in OCDE’s 5-3-1 Strategic Plan and seeks to support pioneering educational practices that are responsive to unmet needs and have the potential to produce sustainable change across diverse school environments. Innovation, as defined in this program, refers to the implementation of new or novel strategies within educational settings to address specific, evidence-informed needs. While not necessarily evidence-based, proposed innovations must be grounded in theory and designed to yield measurable, replicable outcomes. Eligible innovations might involve technology integration, revised instructional practices, new curricular approaches, or creative student support strategies. The overarching goal is to promote efficiency and equity in education, particularly for underserved student populations. Up to six projects will be awarded under this first cohort, with a maximum of $525,000 in funding per awardee for a three-year project period spanning from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029. Awards may be distributed annually or through a mutually agreed-upon disbursement schedule. Funded projects may target areas such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), early learning, expanded learning, literacy, STEM, school climate, student wellness, youth leadership, and related domains. While matching contributions are not required, applicants may identify leveraged or in-kind resources within their proposals. Eligible applicants include public school districts located in Orange County, California, serving grades TK–12. Districts may apply independently or as part of a consortium, provided that one district serves as the lead applicant and letters of commitment are submitted from all participating districts. Individual school sites cannot apply independently but may be included as implementation sites. Charter schools and non-LEA organizations are not eligible for this cycle but may be considered in future rounds. The application process includes a required narrative, budget justification, metrics table, and supporting materials, all of which must be submitted by January 30, 2026. While submission of an Intent to Apply by December 19, 2025 is optional, applicants who do so will receive direct updates. OCDE encourages applicants to attend one of the informational webinars or scheduled office hours in December and January to receive guidance and technical support. Selected awardees will participate in an orientation, quarterly professional learning communities, and technical assistance sessions led by OCDE evaluators and implementation coaches. These supports are designed to facilitate continuous improvement, ensure fidelity of implementation, and promote knowledge sharing. Additionally, all grantees will present at the OCDE Education Innovation Summit in Spring 2027 to disseminate learnings and foster county-wide collaboration among forward-thinking educators. Award notifications are anticipated by the end of February 2026.

Align proposal with OCDE’s 5-3-1 Strategic Plan; clearly define innovation grounded in evidence or theory; ensure alignment to DA indicators and student outcomes; submit complete appendix with metrics and citations.