Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Charter Schools Program (CSP): Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools Assistance Listing Number 84.282M

The Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program—Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (CMO Grants) is administered by the U.S. Department of Education, specifically the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. This program is designed to support nonprofit charter management organizations (CMOs) that operate or manage networks of charter schools. These networks are characterized by centralized operations and oversight and aim to replicate or expand high-quality charter schools across the United States. The primary objective of the CMO Grants is to improve educational opportunities by supporting the creation or growth of charter schools that demonstrate strong academic outcomes. The funding can be used to increase student enrollment, add new grades, or establish new campuses that follow the successful educational model of existing high-performing charter schools. Funds are also applicable for various startup and expansion-related activities including personnel, supplies, community engagement, minor renovations, and more. The grant supports activities over a period of up to 60 months, with an optional planning phase of up to 18 months. Eligible applicants include nonprofit CMOs that currently manage more than one charter school and intend to replicate or expand high-quality schools. These schools must provide elementary or secondary education and may also serve early childhood or postsecondary students. Applications must include detailed information about educational objectives, project design, community involvement, compliance history, and a logic model outlining goals and expected outcomes. The program also encourages innovative educational models and supports reopening underperforming public schools as charter schools through a competitive preference priority. Applications are due by June 18, 2025, and a pre-application webinar is available to assist applicants. The webinar details are provided on the Department of Education’s website. Applicants must submit their proposals via Grants.gov and follow the outlined instructions, including addressing all application requirements and selection criteria. Evaluation is based on the quality of the applicant, project design and resources, and the management plan. Awards are discretionary and depend on the quality of submissions and available funding. Contact for further information is Stephanie S. Jones at the U.S. Department of Education, reachable via email at CMOCompetition@ed.gov or phone at (202) 453–7835. The program anticipates distributing 15 to 20 awards with a total estimated funding of $72 million. Individual awards range from $300,000 to $20 million per year, with an average expected size of $2.5 million annually.