Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 082611 001
Apply for ED GRANTS 082611 001
- The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge CFDA Number 84.412" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.412 Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 26, 2011 and posted on Aug 26, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 19, 2011 Applications Available August 26, 2011. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications October 19, 2011.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $500,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligible Applicants States that meet the following requirements (a) The Lead Agency must have executed with each Participating State Agency an MOU or other binding agreement that the State must attach to its application, describing the Participating State Agencys level of participation in the grant. (See Appendix C of this notice.)
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Opportunity Summary:
Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge (RTT ELC), CFDA 84.412, is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Education that was designed to help States strengthen early learning and development systems and, in particular, reduce early achievement gaps for children with high needs. The central aim is to raise the quality of early learning and development opportunities and make sure more children who are low income or otherwise disadvantaged are able to access programs that meet high standards. In practice, the competition pushes States to do two big things at once: expand access for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to high-quality early learning and development programs, and build or improve an integrated statewide system that coordinates programs and services rather than leaving them fragmented across agencies and funding streams.
The program emphasizes measurable improvements in both availability and quality. States are expected to increase the number and percentage of vulnerable children in each age group (infants, toddlers, preschoolers) who are enrolled in high-quality early learning and development programs. At the same time, the competition focuses on designing and implementing an integrated system of high-quality early learning and development programs and services, meaning a more coherent statewide approach that aligns expectations, improves coordination among programs, and supports consistent quality across settings where young children learn and receive services.
Eligibility is limited to States that can demonstrate formal coordination among key State agencies. Specifically, the State Lead Agency must have an executed memorandum of understanding (MOU) or other binding agreement with each participating State agency, and the State must attach those agreements to its application. These MOUs are meant to show that the agencies responsible for early childhood services are genuinely committed, that roles and responsibilities are clear, and that participation in the grant is not just informal or aspirational. The notice points applicants to Appendix C of the Federal Register application notice for the MOU details.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity offered an estimated total of $500,000,000 in available funding, with an award ceiling of $50,000,000 per grant. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement stated in the synopsis, which is significant because it means States did not need to commit a specific non-federal match as a condition of applying, although they still would be expected to show sustainability and a credible plan for carrying work forward.
The timeline for this competition reflects a single application cycle in 2011. Applications became available on August 26, 2011, and the deadline for transmittal of applications was October 19, 2011. The posting date and creation date were both August 26, 2011, and the archive date was November 18, 2011, indicating the opportunity is closed and maintained for recordkeeping and reference.
The application submission method is also spelled out in the synopsis and is somewhat unusual by today’s standards: applications had to be submitted in electronic format on a CD or DVD and then sent by mail or hand delivery. Applicants were directed to consult section IV(7), Other Submission Requirements, in the official Federal Register notice for the exact instructions, including acceptable delivery methods and timing details. The synopsis also provides the Grants.gov Helpdesk phone number (1-800-518-4726) and email (support@grants.gov), which suggests applicants might still use Grants.gov for support even though the final submission involved physical media and delivery.
For official guidance and the full requirements, the synopsis repeatedly notes that the authoritative version is the Federal Register application notice, with free public access through the Government Publishing Office site referenced in the announcement. The listing also includes agency contact points for help obtaining or accessing the full announcement and for program questions: Joyce Mays (Management Analyst, 202-245-6122, joyce.mays@ed.gov) and Program Manager Meredith Farace (U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave SW, room 7E208, Washington, DC 20202, 202-453-6400).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC)?
Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC), CFDA 84.412, is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Education. It was designed to help States strengthen early learning and development systems and reduce early achievement gaps for children with high needs.
2) What is the main goal of RTT-ELC?
The central aim is to raise the quality of early learning and development opportunities and ensure more children who are low income or otherwise disadvantaged can access programs that meet high standards.
3) What does the competition expect States to do?
The competition pushes States to do two major things at the same time:
- Expand access for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to high-quality early learning and development programs.
- Build or improve an integrated statewide system that coordinates programs and services, rather than leaving them fragmented across agencies and funding streams.
4) Which age groups are specifically included in the program focus?
The program specifically focuses on infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
5) Who are the intended beneficiaries or priority populations?
The opportunity emphasizes children with high needs, including children who are low income or otherwise disadvantaged, with a focus on reducing early achievement gaps.
6) What kinds of improvements are States expected to demonstrate?
The program emphasizes measurable improvements in both availability and quality. States are expected to increase the number and percentage of vulnerable children in each age group (infants, toddlers, preschoolers) who are enrolled in high-quality early learning and development programs.
7) What does an “integrated statewide system†mean in this context?
It refers to designing and implementing an integrated system of high-quality early learning and development programs and services. The goal is a more coherent statewide approach that aligns expectations, improves coordination among programs, and supports consistent quality across settings where young children learn and receive services.
8) Who is eligible to apply for RTT-ELC?
Eligibility is limited to States that can demonstrate formal coordination among key State agencies.
9) What is required to demonstrate formal coordination among State agencies?
The State Lead Agency must have an executed memorandum of understanding (MOU) or other binding agreement with each participating State agency, and the State must attach those agreements to its application.
10) What is the purpose of the required MOUs or binding agreements?
The MOUs are intended to show that agencies responsible for early childhood services are genuinely committed, that roles and responsibilities are clear, and that participation in the grant is not just informal or aspirational.
11) Where are the MOU details found?
The notice points applicants to Appendix C of the Federal Register application notice for the MOU details.
12) How much funding was available under this opportunity?
The estimated total amount of funding available was $500,000,000.
13) What was the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling was $50,000,000 per grant.
14) Was cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement was stated in the synopsis.
15) If there was no match requirement, did applicants still need a sustainability plan?
Even though a specific non-federal match was not required as a condition of applying (based on the synopsis), States would still be expected to show sustainability and a credible plan for carrying the work forward.
16) When were applications made available?
Applications became available on August 26, 2011.
17) What was the deadline to submit an application?
The deadline for transmittal of applications was October 19, 2011.
18) Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. The timeline reflects a single application cycle in 2011, and the archive date was November 18, 2011, indicating the opportunity is closed and maintained for recordkeeping and reference.
19) What were the posting date and creation date for the announcement?
The posting date and creation date were both August 26, 2011.
20) What was the required method of application submission?
Applications had to be submitted in electronic format on a CD or DVD and then sent by mail or hand delivery.
21) Where can applicants find the exact submission instructions and requirements?
Applicants were directed to consult section IV(7), Other Submission Requirements, in the official Federal Register notice for exact instructions, including acceptable delivery methods and timing details.
22) What is the authoritative source for the full requirements and official guidance?
The authoritative version is the Federal Register application notice, which the synopsis notes is available for free public access through the Government Publishing Office site referenced in the announcement.
23) Is Grants.gov mentioned, and what support information is provided?
Yes. The synopsis provides the Grants.gov Helpdesk phone number (1-800-518-4726) and email (support@grants.gov). This suggests applicants might use Grants.gov for support even though the final submission involved physical media and delivery.
24) Who can be contacted for help obtaining or accessing the full announcement?
The listing includes contact points, including Joyce Mays (Management Analyst) at 202-245-6122 or joyce.mays@ed.gov.
25) Who can be contacted for program questions?
The listing includes Program Manager Meredith Farace at the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave SW, room 7E208, Washington, DC 20202, phone 202-453-6400.
26) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 84.412.
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