Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 031210 002
Apply for ED GRANTS 031210 002
- The Department of Education in the education recovery act sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Investing in Innovation Fund Validation Grants CFDA 84.396B" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 12, 2010 and posted on Mar 15, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 19, 2010 Applications Available March 12, 2010. The Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement extends, for certain prospective eligible applicants described elsewhere in this notice, the deadline date for transmittal of applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2010 under the Investing in Innovation Fund. The Assistant Deputy Secretary takes this action to allow more time for the preparation and submission of applications by prospective eligible applicants affected by the severe storms, flooding, straight line winds, and tornadoes beginning on April 30, 2010, and continuing, in Tennessee. The extension of the application deadline date for this competition is intended to help affected eligible applicants compete fairly with other eligible applicants under this competition. Extended Deadline for Transmittal of Applications 05/19/2010. Extended Deadline for Intergovernmental Review 07/19/2010.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $175,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 100 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- The extension of the application deadline date in this notice applies to eligible applicants under the Investing in Innovation Fund that are located in a Federally declared disaster area, as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (see http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters.fema), and adversely affected by the severe storms, flooding, straight line winds, and tornadoes beginning on April 30, 2010, and continuing, in Tennessee. Under section 14007(a)(1) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111 5), an eligible applicant for the Investing in Innovation Fund is (a) a local educational agency (LEA) or (b) a partnership between a nonprofit organization and (1) one or more LEAs or (2) a consortium of schools. In the case of an eligible applicant that is a partnership, the extension of the application deadline date applies if any of the entities required to be part of the partnership (i.e., a nonprofit organization, an LEA, or a consortium of schools) are located in a Federally declared disaster area, as determined by FEMA, and adversely affected by the severe storms, flooding, straight line winds, and tornadoes in Tennessee. An eligible applicant submitting an application on the Extended Deadline must provide a certification in its application that it meets the criteria for doing so and be prepared to provide appropriate supporting documentation, if requested. If such an eligible applicant is submitting its application electronically, the submission of the application serves as the eligible applicants attestation that it meets the criteria for submitting an application on the Extended Deadline.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) Validation Grants opportunity (CFDA 84.396B) is a U.S. Department of Education discretionary grant program created under section 14007 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). In plain terms, it was designed to put substantial federal resources behind education initiatives that are not just promising ideas, but approaches with credible evidence that they improve student outcomes. The core focus is scaling and strengthening innovative practices that have demonstrated impact on student achievement or student growth, with particular attention to major outcome areas like closing achievement gaps, reducing dropout rates, increasing high school graduation rates, and improving college enrollment and completion.
Eligibility centers on two main applicant types. First, a local educational agency (LEA) can apply directly. Second, a nonprofit organization can apply only if it is in a formal partnership with one or more LEAs or with a consortium of schools. The program is structured to encourage cross-sector collaboration, so these partnerships are not a side note; they are a key part of how i3 intends to move effective practices into broader use, including collaboration with private sector and philanthropic partners. The expectation is that applicants already have a track record of improving student achievement and attainment, and the grant is meant to help them expand implementation, further develop the model, and document results in ways that allow others to learn from and replicate what works.
This particular announcement is for Validation Grants, which sit within the larger i3 framework that also includes Scale-up grants (CFDA 84.396A) and Development grants (CFDA 84.396C). While the notice provided is a synopsis, it signals the overall intent: fund models with evidence of effectiveness and support the work needed to validate and strengthen the evidence base while expanding reach. The Department also emphasizes that successful projects should be able to serve as best-practice models and that grantees are expected to identify, document, and share practices that can be taken to scale based on demonstrated success.
Administratively, applications for i3 (including 84.396B) had to be submitted electronically through the Department of Education e-Application system via the e-Grants website (http://e-grants.ed.gov). Applicants were told they could not submit an application by emailing a file; instead, the application data is entered and stored directly in the online system. The opportunity was posted March 15, 2010, with applications available starting March 12, 2010. A Notice of Intent to Apply was strongly encouraged (but not required) by April 1, 2010, to help the Department plan the review process. That email was to include the applicant name and address, the type of i3 grant being pursued, the absolute priority the applicant planned to address, and any competitive preference priorities, sent to i3intent@ed.gov with "Intent to Apply" in the subject line.
The original deadline for transmittal of applications was May 11, 2010, but the closing date reflected an extension to May 19, 2010 for certain eligible applicants impacted by severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes beginning April 30, 2010, in Tennessee. This extension applied only to eligible applicants located in a federally declared disaster area (as determined by FEMA) and adversely affected by that event. For partnerships, the extension applied if any required partner entity (the nonprofit, an LEA, or a consortium of schools) was located in the declared disaster area and affected. Applicants using the extended deadline were required to certify in the application that they met the criteria and be ready to provide documentation if asked; for electronic submissions, submitting by the extended deadline functioned as the attestation. The extended deadline for intergovernmental review was July 19, 2010.
In terms of scope and funding, the notice lists an estimated total funding amount of $175,000,000 and an expectation of roughly 100 awards, with a cost-sharing or matching requirement indicated as "Yes," meaning applicants should have been prepared to contribute non-federal resources consistent with the requirements described in the official Federal Register notice. Because the synopsis points applicants back to the Federal Register for exact rules, the detailed requirements on match structure, allowable costs, evidence standards, priorities, and performance measures would be found in the official notice inviting applications.
The Department also offered pre-application technical assistance workshops intended for applicants across all three i3 grant types, held March 19, 2010 in Baltimore, March 24, 2010 in Denver, and March 30, 2010 in Atlanta. Registration and logistics were hosted on the i3 program website (http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html). For official questions or access issues, the listing includes contacts for systems and program support, including Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov system administration support) and Program Manager Margo Anderson within the Office of Innovation and Improvement at the U.S. Department of Education.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a large, competitive federal investment meant to expand education innovations that already show measurable success, strengthen validation of those results, and push proven approaches toward broader adoption through partnerships, documentation, and scaling strategies. For anyone interpreting requirements beyond this overview, the controlling source is the Federal Register application notice referenced in the announcement.
Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) Validation Grants (CFDA 84.396B) - FAQs
What is the i3 Validation Grants opportunity (CFDA 84.396B)?
The Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) Validation Grants opportunity (CFDA 84.396B) is a U.S. Department of Education discretionary grant program created under section 14007 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). It was designed to invest federal resources in education initiatives that have credible evidence showing they improve student outcomes, and to support expansion and stronger validation of those results.
What is the overall purpose of i3 Validation Grants?
The purpose is to scale and strengthen innovative education practices that have demonstrated impact on student achievement or student growth, while also supporting work that validates and strengthens the evidence base as reach expands. The Department emphasizes that funded projects should be able to serve as best-practice models and that grantees are expected to identify, document, and share practices that can be taken to scale based on demonstrated success.
What student outcome areas does this program emphasize?
The synopsis highlights major outcome areas such as closing achievement gaps, reducing dropout rates, increasing high school graduation rates, and improving college enrollment and completion.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility centers on two applicant types: (1) a local educational agency (LEA) may apply directly, and (2) a nonprofit organization may apply only if it is in a formal partnership with one or more LEAs or with a consortium of schools.
Can a nonprofit apply on its own without a school partner?
No. Based on the information provided, a nonprofit organization can apply only if it is in a formal partnership with one or more LEAs or with a consortium of schools.
How important are partnerships under i3 Validation Grants?
Partnerships are presented as a key part of the i3 design, not an optional add-on. The program is structured to encourage cross-sector collaboration, including collaboration with private sector and philanthropic partners, to move effective practices into broader use.
What kinds of projects is i3 trying to fund?
The opportunity targets education initiatives that are beyond early-stage ideas and already have credible evidence of improving student outcomes. The intent is to support expansion of implementation, further development of the model, and documentation of results so others can learn from and replicate what works.
How do Validation Grants fit into the broader i3 program?
Validation Grants (CFDA 84.396B) are one part of the larger i3 framework, which also includes Scale-up grants (CFDA 84.396A) and Development grants (CFDA 84.396C). This announcement is specifically for the Validation level within that structure.
When was this opportunity posted and when were applications available?
The opportunity was posted March 15, 2010, and applications were available starting March 12, 2010.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of Education e-Application system via the e-Grants website (http://e-grants.ed.gov). The instructions emphasized that applicants could not submit an application by emailing a file; instead, the application data needed to be entered and stored directly in the online system.
Was a Notice of Intent to Apply required?
No. A Notice of Intent to Apply was strongly encouraged, but it was not required.
What was the deadline for the Notice of Intent to Apply?
The Notice of Intent to Apply was encouraged by April 1, 2010 to help the Department plan the review process.
What information was requested in the Notice of Intent to Apply email?
The email was to include: the applicant name and address, the type of i3 grant being pursued, the absolute priority the applicant planned to address, and any competitive preference priorities.
Where was the Notice of Intent to Apply sent, and what subject line was requested?
It was to be sent to i3intent@ed.gov with "Intent to Apply" in the subject line.
What was the original application deadline?
The original deadline for transmittal of applications was May 11, 2010.
Was the application deadline extended for any applicants?
Yes. The closing date reflected an extension to May 19, 2010, but only for certain eligible applicants impacted by severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes beginning April 30, 2010, in Tennessee.
Who qualified for the May 19, 2010 extended deadline?
The extension applied only to eligible applicants located in a federally declared disaster area (as determined by FEMA) and adversely affected by that event.
How did the extension work for partnerships (nonprofits, LEAs, or consortia)?
For partnerships, the extension applied if any required partner entity (the nonprofit, an LEA, or a consortium of schools) was located in the declared disaster area and affected.
Were applicants required to prove they qualified for the extended deadline?
Applicants using the extended deadline were required to certify in the application that they met the criteria and be ready to provide documentation if asked. For electronic submissions, submitting by the extended deadline functioned as the attestation.
Was there an extended intergovernmental review deadline associated with the disaster extension?
Yes. The extended deadline for intergovernmental review was July 19, 2010.
How much funding was estimated to be available under this notice?
The notice lists an estimated total funding amount of $175,000,000.
About how many awards were expected?
The notice indicates an expectation of roughly 100 awards.
Was there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. The synopsis indicates cost-sharing or matching as "Yes," meaning applicants should have been prepared to contribute non-federal resources consistent with the requirements described in the official Federal Register notice.
Where were the detailed rules (match requirements, allowable costs, evidence standards, priorities, performance measures) defined?
The synopsis points applicants to the official Federal Register notice inviting applications for the exact requirements. That official notice is described as the controlling source for details beyond the overview.
Were there any pre-application workshops or technical assistance sessions?
Yes. The Department offered pre-application technical assistance workshops intended for applicants across all three i3 grant types.
When and where were the pre-application workshops held?
The workshops were held March 19, 2010 in Baltimore, March 24, 2010 in Denver, and March 30, 2010 in Atlanta.
Where could applicants find registration and logistics for the workshops?
Registration and logistics were hosted on the i3 program website: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html
Who were the listed contacts for official questions or support?
The listing includes contacts for systems and program support, including Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov system administration support) and Program Manager Margo Anderson within the Office of Innovation and Improvement at the U.S. Department of Education.
What is the simplest way to describe the intent of this grant?
It is a large, competitive federal investment meant to expand education innovations that already show measurable success, strengthen validation of those results, and push proven approaches toward broader adoption through partnerships, documentation, and scaling strategies.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Recovery Act
Next opportunity: Investing in Innovation Fund Development Grants CFDA 84.396C
Previous opportunity: Investing in Innovation Fund Scale Up Grants CFDA 84.396A
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for ED GRANTS 031210 002
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ED GRANTS 031210 002) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Investing in Innovation Fund Development Grants CFDA 84.396C Apply for ED GRANTS 031210 003 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 031210 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Recovery Act Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Race to the Top Fund Assessment Program High School Course Assessment Programs Grants CFDA 84.395C Apply for ED GRANTS 040910 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 040910 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Recovery Act Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Teacher Incentive Fund ARRA CFDA 84.385 Apply for ED GRANTS 052110 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 052110 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Recovery Act Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "ED GRANTS 031210 002", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.