Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) Charter Schools Program (CSP) CSP Grants to Non State Educational Agency (Non SEA) Planning, Program, Design, and Initial Implementation Grants CFDA Number 84.282B | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a federal discretionary grant competition from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII), under the Charter Schools Program (CSP). It supports charter school planning, program design, and initial implementation for eligible applicants applying under CFDA 84.282B.

2) What activities does CFDA 84.282B fund?

Based on the notice, CFDA 84.282B is intended to fund early-stage charter school work, specifically planning, program design, and initial implementation of a charter school project.

3) Who is the federal awarding agency?

The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of Education, specifically the Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII), through the Charter Schools Program (CSP).

4) Who can apply (in general terms)?

The competition is for eligible applicants that are not State Educational Agencies (Non-SEAs) and that meet the eligibility requirements tied to being a "developer" as defined in section 5210 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as described in the notice.

5) What does it mean to be a "developer" for purposes of eligibility?

The notice explains that a developer (as defined in ESEA section 5210) can be an individual or group of individuals, including a public or private nonprofit organization. Examples mentioned include teachers, administrators, other school staff, parents, or other community members proposing to carry out a charter school project.

6) Is this competition open in every state?

No. A central feature of this competition is that Non-SEA applicants can apply directly to the U.S. Department of Education only if they are located in a state where the State Educational Agency (SEA) does not participate in CSP or does not have an approved CSP application.

7) Which states are listed as having approved SEA CSP applications (and therefore are generally not eligible for this direct Non-SEA competition)?

The notice lists the following as having approved SEA CSP applications: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin.

8) If an applicant is located in one of the listed states, what is the typical path to CSP funding?

The notice indicates that applicants in those states would typically pursue CSP funding through their SEA's separate subgrant process, rather than applying under this direct Non-SEA route.

9) What is required regarding applying to a chartering authority?

To qualify for the planning, design, and initial implementation grant, the developer must have applied to an authorized public chartering authority to operate a charter school and must have provided adequate and timely notice to that authority consistent with ESEA section 5203(d)(3), as described in the notice.

10) Is there any flexibility on the "timely notice" requirement?

Yes. The notice explains that for a pre-charter planning grant, an applicant can request a waiver from the Secretary regarding the timely notice requirement, and that the waiver request would be included in the application materials.

11) What is the difference between CFDA 84.282B and CFDA 84.282C?

The notice clarifies that applicants seeking funding for planning, program design, and initial implementation must apply under CFDA 84.282B. Applicants seeking funding specifically for dissemination activities must apply under CFDA 84.282C.

12) What are dissemination grants (CFDA 84.282C) intended to support?

Dissemination grants are aimed at charter schools that have been operating for at least three consecutive years and can demonstrate overall success, including substantial progress in improving academic achievement, high parent satisfaction, and strong management and leadership that has overcome start-up challenges and resulted in a financially viable, thriving school.

13) Can a charter school apply for dissemination funds even if it never received CSP start-up funds?

Yes. The notice highlights that a charter school may apply for dissemination funds regardless of whether it previously received CSP start-up funds.

14) Does CFDA 84.282B include dissemination activities?

The notice indicates that while dissemination is not the focus of 84.282B, the CSP overall allows certain Non-SEA grantees to carry out dissemination activities, and it emphasizes the separate dissemination competition under 84.282C.

15) What are the broader goals of the Charter Schools Program (CSP) mentioned in the notice?

The opportunity reflects broader CSP goals described in the notice, including: (1) expanding the number of high-quality charter schools, (2) strengthening national understanding of the charter school model, and (3) supporting evaluation of charter schools and their effects on students, academic outcomes, staff, and parents.

16) How were applications required to be submitted?

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

17) Were applications accepted by email?

No. The notice explicitly states that the Department does not accept applications by email.

18) How do you find the application package on Grants.gov?

The notice instructs applicants to search by the CFDA number and stresses searching for "84.282" (without including the letter suffix).

19) What were the key dates for this competition?

The posting date was April 13, 2012, and applications were available the same day. The deadline for transmittal of applications was June 6, 2012. The archive date is listed as July 6, 2012.

20) How many awards and how much funding were anticipated?

The notice anticipated approximately 9 awards with an estimated total funding amount of $1,500,000.

21) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice specifies that there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

22) Were there pre-application webinars, and when were they held?

Yes. The Department scheduled multiple pre-application webinars on April 24, April 26, May 3, and May 9, 2012 (Washington, DC time).

23) How did participants preregister for a pre-application webinar?

Interested participants were encouraged to preregister by emailing Charterschools@ed.gov with identifying information and the preferred webinar session, using the subject line "NON SEA PRE APPLICATION MEETING".

24) Who is the primary program contact for questions about the grant and webinars?

The primary program contact listed is LaShawndra Thornton at the U.S. Department of Education. Phone: 202-453-5617. Email: lashawndra.thornton@ed.gov.

25) Who is listed as a technical contact for accessing the announcement or navigating electronic applications?

For technical issues, the notice provides a Grants.gov systems contact: Julius Cotton. Phone: 202-245-6140. Email: julius.cotton@ed.gov.

26) What is the overall purpose of this Non-SEA competition?

The notice frames this as a direct federal start-up funding pathway for charter school developers who cannot access CSP funds through their state because the SEA is not running an approved CSP program. The focus is on early-stage work needed to launch a charter school responsibly (planning, program design, and initial implementation).

27) Where does the notice say applicants should look for the controlling requirements and details?

The notice repeatedly points applicants to the official Federal Register application notice as the controlling source for precise requirements, priorities, and application details.