Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Charter Schools Program (CSP): CSP Developer Grants for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools
This grant provides funding to individuals and organizations looking to establish or expand high-quality charter schools in states without an active Charter Schools Program State Entity grant.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education is inviting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 cycle of the Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)—Developer Grants. This initiative is designed to support charter school developers aiming to either open new charter schools or replicate and expand high-quality charter schools in states that do not currently have a CSP State Entity grant under Section 4303 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). This competitive grant is backed by an estimated $5 million in funding, with anticipated awards ranging between $250,000 and $400,000 annually. Eligible applicants for this program include individuals or groups (including nonprofit organizations) who have applied to an authorized public chartering authority and provided appropriate notice of their intent to establish a charter school. The charter school must be located in a state with legislation authorizing charter schools and without an active CSP State Entity grant. Ineligible states are explicitly listed and include Arizona, California, Florida, New York, and several others. Charter schools that have been operational for over five years are generally ineligible for funding to open or replicate but may qualify for expansion funding. Applications opened on May 15, 2025, and are due by June 30, 2025. The Department will host a pre-application webinar, with details available on the official CSP Developer Grant website. Award notices will be issued post-deadline, with intergovernmental reviews concluding by September 8, 2025. Projects may span up to five years, including a planning period not exceeding 18 months. Funding must be used strictly for activities such as staffing, professional development, minor renovations, student transportation setup, community engagement, and other preparatory tasks aligned with launching or expanding charter schools. Administrative and indirect costs must be reasonable and adhere to federal guidelines. Applicants must submit a comprehensive application addressing various criteria, including project design, financial sustainability, management plan, community engagement, educational program details, and strategies for enrolling and supporting disadvantaged students. Applications must also provide a logic model, budget narrative, audit reports, and performance metrics aligned with the program’s goals. Contact for this opportunity is Stephanie S. Jones at DeveloperCompetition@ed.gov or via phone at 202-453-7835. Additional details, including application forms and program requirements, are available on Grants.gov and the Department’s charter school programs webpage.
Award Range
Not specified - $2,000,000
Total Program Funding
$5,000,000
Number of Awards
10
Matching Requirement
No
Additional Details
Estimated range of awards is $250,000 to $400,000 per year. Grant period is up to five years with a planning/design period of up to 18 months. Funds can be used for planning, staffing, training, materials, minor renovations, and initial transportation costs.
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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