Transition to Teaching Grant Program CFDA 84.350A | Apply Online

Transition to Teaching Grant Program (CFDA 84.350A) - FAQs

What is the Transition to Teaching Grant Program (CFDA 84.350A)?

The Transition to Teaching Grant Program (CFDA 84.350A) is a U.S. Department of Education discretionary grant competition focused on addressing teacher shortages and strengthening staffing in high-need schools.

What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The program has two core aims: (1) supporting the development and expansion of alternative routes that lead to full state teacher certification, and (2) recruiting and retaining highly qualified individuals who are not coming through traditional teacher preparation pipelines.

What types of teacher candidates does the program target?

The program specifically targets three pools of potential teachers: mid-career professionals transitioning into teaching, recent college graduates, and highly qualified paraprofessionals.

What is the intended outcome for candidates supported by this program?

The intended outcome is to place and keep these candidates as effective teachers in high-need schools operated by high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools when they qualify and operate as high-need LEAs.

Does this program support alternative certification pathways?

Yes. A central focus of the program is to support the development and expansion of alternative routes that lead to full state teacher certification, helping candidates move into classrooms faster than traditional routes while still reaching full certification.

Is the focus only on recruitment, or also on retention?

The program emphasizes both recruitment and retention. It is designed not only to bring qualified candidates into high-need schools, but also to keep them there.

When was this funding opportunity posted, and when were applications due?

The opportunity was posted on March 30, 2011. Applications were made available the same day, and the submission deadline was May 31, 2011.

How many awards were anticipated, and what was the estimated total funding?

The program anticipated making about 16 awards, with an estimated total funding level of $12.6 million.

Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the synopsis. This generally means applicants would not be required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of receiving an award, though recipients would still need to follow the fiscal rules and project requirements described in the official Federal Register notice.

What are the award floor and ceiling amounts?

The award floor and ceiling amounts are listed as zero in the synopsis. This usually means the specific award size parameters are defined elsewhere in the official notice rather than in the summary.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include: a state educational agency (SEA); a high-need LEA; a for-profit or nonprofit organization with a proven record of effectively recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers (if applying in partnership with a high-need LEA or an SEA); an institution of higher education (IHE) (if applying in partnership with a high-need LEA or an SEA); a regional consortium of SEAs; or a consortium of high-need LEAs.

Do nonprofits or for-profits have to apply with a partner?

Yes. A for-profit or nonprofit organization is eligible if it has a proven record of effectively recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers and applies in partnership with a high-need LEA or an SEA.

Do institutions of higher education (IHEs) have to apply with a partner?

Yes. An IHE may apply if it applies in partnership with a high-need LEA or an SEA.

What kinds of partnerships does the program encourage?

The program structure encourages formal partnerships, especially when the applicant is not itself an SEA or high-need LEA. It also places emphasis on documented effectiveness in recruitment and retention when organizations outside government apply.

Are charter schools included in the eligible target settings?

Charter schools may be included when they qualify and operate as high-need LEAs, since the program targets high-need schools operated by high-need LEAs.

How were applications required to be submitted?

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

How do applicants find the application package on Grants.gov for this opportunity?

The application package could be found by searching the CFDA number without the letter suffix (search for 84.350 rather than 84.350A).

Where can applicants get help with Grants.gov submission issues?

Support channels listed include the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 and support@grants.gov.

Who are the program contacts listed for questions about the announcement or access to materials?

The listing names Joyce Mays (Management Analyst) at 202-245-6122 and joyce.mays@ed.gov, and identifies Beatriz Ceja as the Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202, phone 202-205-5009.

What document controls the official requirements and definitions for this program?

Applicants are directed to the official Federal Register application notice, which is treated as the controlling document for complete definitions (such as what qualifies as a "high-need LEA"), selection criteria, and allowable activities.

What does it mean that this is a discretionary grant competition?

It means funding is awarded through a competitive process run by the U.S. Department of Education, rather than being provided automatically by formula.

What is the program trying to solve?

The program is intended to address teacher shortages and strengthen staffing in high-need schools by investing in alternative certification pathways and stronger recruitment and retention systems.