Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (CMO Grants), Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.282M | ED GRANTS 050324 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 050324 003

The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) is offering a discretionary grant competition called the Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools, also referred to as the CMO Grants. This opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.282M and is run by the U.S. Department of Education. The program is grounded in federal law under Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as updated by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA), with statutory authority cited at 20 U.S.C. 7221-7221j. The main idea is to use competitive federal funding to help proven charter school operators grow what is already working, either by expanding existing high-quality schools or by replicating them in new locations using an established educational model.

At its core, the grant is designed for charter management organizations (CMOs) that can demonstrate they operate high-quality charter schools and have a credible plan to increase access for more students. Funds can support several types of growth. A CMO can use the grant to significantly increase enrollment at an existing high-quality charter school, add one or more grade levels to that school, open entirely new charter schools that follow the design of an already successful school, or open new campuses of a high-quality charter school. The schools supported through this funding provide elementary education, secondary education, or both. The notice also makes clear that, if allowed under the terms of a school charter, these schools may serve students in early childhood programs or even postsecondary students, so long as that fits within the charter’s scope.

Eligibility is limited to CMOs, and applicants can apply on their own or as part of a group or consortium. Because CMOs are typically nonprofit entities in this program context, the notice points applicants to the federal regulation at 34 CFR 75.51, which explains how an applicant can document nonprofit status. Acceptable proof includes an IRS determination showing current recognition as a 501(c)(3) organization (with tax-deductible contributions), a certification from a state taxing authority or state attorney general confirming nonprofit status and that no net earnings benefit private individuals, or a certified incorporation document that clearly establishes nonprofit status. It also allows an applicant to rely on documentation from a state or national parent organization, as long as the parent organization provides a statement confirming the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

Administratively, this opportunity is a competitive discretionary grant program (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) in the education category. The opportunity number is ED GRANTS 050324 003. The posting indicates an expected 20 awards, with an application deadline (original closing date) of June 27, 2024. An award ceiling is referenced in the listing, but the specific maximum amount is not provided in the text you shared, which is why the Department emphasizes that the Federal Register notice is the controlling source for full details.

Finally, the description repeatedly stresses that this summary is only a synopsis and that applicants should rely on the official Federal Register application notice for the complete requirements. That official notice is where a prospective applicant will find the precise eligibility definitions, how the Department defines a high-quality charter school for this competition, required pre-application and application components, submission instructions, performance measures, competition priorities, and program contact information. It also directs applicants to use the Department’s Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 7, 2022) for the standard federal submission and formatting rules, including the addresses and methods for obtaining and submitting an application.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (CMO Grants), Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.282M" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.282.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for ED GRANTS 050324 003

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