Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Charter Schools Program (CSP): CSP Developer Grants for The Opening of New Charter Schools
This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations to develop and open new high-quality charter schools in states without existing Charter Schools Program grants, enhancing educational options for families and students.
The Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP) Developer Grants are administered by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. This discretionary grant program supports the development, replication, and expansion of high-quality charter schools. The program specifically targets states that do not have a current Charter Schools Program (CSP) State Entity grant. These grants aim to improve educational options for families and students and to promote innovative educational practices. Applicants can apply under two categories: one for opening new charter schools and the other for replicating or expanding high-quality charter schools. Grants are available for nonprofit developers that have applied to an authorized public chartering authority and have given adequate notice to this authority. Eligible applicants must propose charter schools located in states with statutes authorizing charter schools and that do not currently hold CSP State Entity grants. The Department has explicitly excluded applicants from 28 states where such grants are active. Applications open on May 15, 2025, and the submission deadline is June 30, 2025. There is a deadline for intergovernmental review set for September 8, 2025. A pre-application webinar will be offered for technical assistance, with information available on the Department’s CSP grant webpage. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and must comply with the common instructions for discretionary grant programs. Funding for this grant is estimated at $5,000,000, with anticipated award sizes ranging from $250,000 to $400,000 per year over a project period of up to five years. A maximum award amount of $2,000,000 may be allocated per charter school. The grant can be used for planning, personnel, training, equipment, minor renovations, transportation, and other appropriate startup costs. However, recipients may not use the funds for costs that could be covered by other sources or that duplicate previously awarded CSP grants. Evaluation criteria include the quality of project design, adequacy of resources, the applicant’s management plan, and a continuation plan to sustain the school post-grant. Applications must address all required elements, including logic models, budget narratives, educational programming, student recruitment strategies, and compliance with Title IX if applicable. Grantees must also attend annual project director meetings and participate in technical assistance sessions. The main contact for further information is Stephanie S. Jones, reachable at DeveloperCompetition@ed.gov or (202) 453–7835.
Award Range
$250,000 - $2,000,000
Total Program Funding
$5,000,000
Number of Awards
10
Matching Requirement
No
Additional Details
Grants may be used for staff, supplies, facilities improvements, transportation, and community engagement. Only one charter school per application is allowed. No subgrants permitted.
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Eligible Applicants for Grants: Developers. Under section 4310(5) of the ESEA, developer means an individual or group of individuals (including a public or private nonprofit organization), which may include teachers, administrators and other school staff, parents, or other members of the local community in which a charter school project will be carried out. Eligible applicants are developers that have(a) Applied to an authorized public chartering authority to operate a charter school; and(b) Provided adequate and timely notice to that authority. (Section 4310(6) of the ESEA). Additionally, the charter school must be located in a State with a State statute specifically authorizing the establishment of charter schools (as defined in section 4310(2) of the ESEA) and in which a State entity currently does not have a CSP State Entity grant (Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.282A) under section 4303 of the ESEA. [2] (Section 4305(a)(2) of the ESEA). As a general matter, the Secretary considers charter schools that have been in operation for more than five years to be past the initial implementation phase and, therefore, ineligible to receive CSP funds under ALN 84.282B to support the opening of a new charter school or under ALN 84.282E for the replication of a high-quality charter school; however, such schools may receive CSP funds under ALN 84.282E for the expansion of a high-quality charter school. Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
May 15, 2025
Application Closes
June 30, 2025
Grantor
U.S. Department of Education (Department of Education)
Phone
(202) 453-7835Subscribe to view contact details
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