The U.S. Department of Education, through the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, is inviting applications for the fiscal year 2025 for the Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants to State Entities. The purpose of the CSP State Entity Grants is to support the development and expansion of high-quality charter schools in states with laws authorizing charter schools. This funding opportunity empowers State Entities to award competitive subgrants to eligible applicants for the opening, replication, and expansion of charter schools. It specifically supports those serving elementary and secondary school students and allows funding for schools serving early childhood and postsecondary students.
Applicants must be state entities, defined as State Educational Agencies, State Charter School Boards, Governors, or charter school support organizations. Eligibility is restricted to entities in states with a specific statute allowing the creation of charter schools and not currently using a State Entity grant under this program. States with ongoing grants or planning to extend them are not eligible for new funding. Approximately $107 million is available, with estimated annual awards ranging from $2 million to $20 million. The expected number of awards is between four and six.
All applications must address an Absolute Priority concerning best practices for charter school authorizers. Competitive Preference Priorities provide additional scoring opportunities for demonstrating efforts in areas such as equitable financing, supporting at-risk students, and facilities access. An Invitational Priority seeks applications promoting innovative charter school models, though this does not confer scoring advantages.
Applications must include detailed descriptions of program objectives, performance metrics, and plans for subgrant distribution and oversight. Each state entity must propose project-specific performance measures, baseline data, and performance targets. The application also requires assurances on the autonomy of subgrantees, technical assistance provision, and compliance with federal statutes. Grantees must submit annual performance reports and attend annual project director meetings. An initial pre-application webinar will be held and announced on the Department’s website. Applications are due by June 9, 2025, with intergovernmental review due by August 7, 2025. The opening date for applications is May 9, 2025.
Contact for further information is Sareeta Schmitt at the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202–5970, telephone: 202-205-0730, email: SE_Competition@ed.gov.
