The Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) invites applications from rural educators for the 2024–25 Grants in Place Fellows Program. This initiative is administered in partnership with RSC’s 17 Regional Hubs and aims to support place-based educational projects that enrich learning experiences for students and foster deeper connections between schools and their communities. Since its inception in 2015, the program has awarded over $700,000 to rural teachers across the U.S. for innovative classroom-based initiatives.
Eligibility for this grant is limited to rural classroom teachers working in school districts within RSC’s designated Regional Hub areas. These include states and regions such as Alabama, the Appalachian regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, and extend across much of the rural United States, from Arizona to Vermont. Teachers must be employed in non-urban, non-metro areas, or in districts classified by the National Center for Educational Statistics under locale codes 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43. Importantly, educators who were awarded Grants in Place funding in the 2023–24 cycle are not eligible for this round.
Each selected Fellow will receive up to $2,500 in funding to implement a Place-Based Education project during the current academic year. The initiative culminates in a required virtual Celebration of Learning on June 6, 2025, where all Fellows will present their project outcomes to the broader RSC community. This component is integral to the program, offering visibility and recognition for the innovative work carried out by Fellows.
The program seeks to amplify the voices of teachers from underrepresented backgrounds and encourages such individuals to apply. Teachers with questions about their eligibility are encouraged to contact the RSC directly for clarification. While the specific deadline for applications is not listed, announcements were made in early September 2024, suggesting a fall deadline, with projects expected to be implemented during the 2024–25 academic year.
This grant program supports educators who are deeply embedded in their communities and who can use local context as a cornerstone for learning. It not only empowers teachers to deliver meaningful, place-based education but also helps strengthen rural schools by fostering innovation and community engagement.
Ensure your school’s eligibility using the NCES locale code criteria; participation in the June 6 virtual Celebration of Learning is mandatory.
