Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) Preschool Development Grants Expansion Grants CFDA Number 84.419B | Apply Online

Preschool Development Grants Expansion Grants (CFDA 84.419B) - FAQs

1) What is the Preschool Development Grants (PDG) Expansion Grants opportunity (CFDA 84.419B)?

It is a discretionary federal grant program designed to help eligible states build on existing early childhood systems to implement, improve, and expand high-quality preschool programs. The opportunity is jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

2) What is the main purpose of the Expansion Grants competition?

The core purpose is to increase access to voluntary, high-quality preschool by reaching additional "Eligible Children," with expansion concentrated in at least two "High Need Communities." Funding can also support infrastructure and quality improvements needed to deliver and sustain high-quality preschool at scale.

3) Who administers this grant program?

The program is jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

4) What outcomes is the program trying to support for children?

The program emphasizes helping more children from low- and moderate-income families arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed academically and socially. The program is grounded in research associating high-quality early learning with outcomes such as stronger school readiness, reduced grade retention and special education placement, higher high school graduation rates, less involvement with the justice system, and greater college participation and completion.

5) What makes this an "Expansion Grant" rather than a different type of PDG grant?

This competition focuses on "Expansion Grants," intended for states that already have a relatively strong preschool foundation. The broader PDG program also includes a separate "Development Grant" track for states with small or no state preschool program, but CFDA 84.419B is specifically tied to the Expansion Grants competition.

6) Which states and jurisdictions are eligible to apply for the Expansion Grants?

Eligibility is limited to the states and jurisdictions identified in the notice as meeting the competition's criteria. Eligible applicants are: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

7) What general criteria describe the types of states targeted for Expansion Grants?

In general terms, the expansion track is designed for states that either serve at least 10 percent of four-year-old children through a state preschool program or have previously won a Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) award.

8) What is meant by expanding access for "Eligible Children"?

The notice explains that Expansion Grant funding is meant to increase access to voluntary, high-quality preschool by reaching additional "Eligible Children." (The provided summary does not define "Eligible Children"; applicants were directed to the official Federal Register notice for complete definitions and requirements.)

9) What are "High Need Communities" and how many must be included?

Expansion is intended to be concentrated in "High Need Communities." A technical correction clarified that the relevant selection language should reflect service expansion in "two or more High Need Communities," not "one or more." (The provided summary does not define "High Need Communities"; applicants were directed to the official notice for full details.)

10) Can funds be used for things other than adding preschool seats?

Yes. In addition to expanding seats and services, states may devote a portion of their award to infrastructure and quality improvements necessary to deliver and sustain high-quality preschool at scale. The summary notes these improvements typically include strengthening systems, standards, oversight, workforce supports, and other quality drivers.

11) How is the grant expected to be implemented at the state and local level?

The grant structure emphasizes state-level leadership paired with local delivery. States are expected to expand access by working through subgrants and partnerships with early learning providers in targeted communities, while also putting systems in place to maintain quality over time.

12) What is the technical correction mentioned in the notice?

The notice includes a technical correction clarifying that, to align with the program's priorities and criteria, selection language should reflect service expansion in "two or more High Need Communities," reinforcing that the expansion effort should not be isolated to a single location.

13) When was this competition posted?

The competition was posted on August 18, 2014.

14) What was the estimated total funding amount and number of awards?

The estimated total funding level was $160,000,000, with an expectation of about 7 awards.

15) Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity in the provided information.

16) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the downloadable application package.

17) How do applicants locate the application package on Grants.gov?

Applicants were instructed to search by CFDA number 84.419 (without the "B" suffix when searching) to find the downloadable application package.

18) What was the application deadline and was it extended?

The original application deadline was October 14, 2014. It was extended because Grants.gov was scheduled to be unavailable during October 11-12, 2014. The final deadline for transmittal of applications became October 21, 2014.

19) Was a notice of intent to apply required?

No. The Departments strongly encouraged (but did not require) a notice of intent to apply by September 11, 2014.

20) What information was included in the notice of intent to apply, and how was it submitted?

The notice of intent to apply was submitted by email and included basic state and contact information to support planning for the federal review process.

21) Was technical assistance offered to applicants?

Yes. The Departments planned technical assistance, including a live planning webinar hosted online, with recordings and additional FAQs to be posted afterward.

22) Is the synopsis enough to apply, or do applicants need the Federal Register notice?

Applicants were explicitly advised that the synopsis is not a substitute for the Federal Register notice. They were directed to rely on the official published notice for the complete set of requirements, priorities, selection criteria, performance measures, and submission instructions.

23) Who should applicants contact for help?

The notice provided contacts for Grants.gov technical issues and a program contact at the Department of Education for competition-related questions.

24) What is the legal authority for this grant program?

The legal authority is tied to sections 14005 and 14006 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), as amended and funded through subsequent appropriations acts referenced in the notice.