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Innovative programs invited to apply for $150 million in federal grants 

This round of ‘i3’ grants targeted to school districts and other smaller agencies

The U.S. Department of Education is now accepting applications for 2012 Investing in Innovation grants to local educational agencies, nonprofit organizations or groups of schools with proven programs for improving student achievement and increasing graduation rates or college-going rates.

To help streamline the application process, the U.S.DOE is requesting a brief “pre-application” form, due by April 16, although eligible entities may submit applications without prescreening through May 29.

“All interested entities, including small organizations and school districts, can participate in the i3 competition without having to expend the resources necessary to prepare a full application unless they are among the highest scoring in the pre-application review,” explains the Investing in Innovation Fund’s Web page. 

“To be eligible for an award, an eligible applicant must demonstrate that it has established one or more partnerships with an entity or organization in the private sector, which may include philanthropic organizations, and that the entity or organization in the private sector will provide matching funds in order to help bring project results to scale.”

Most of the $150 million available for i3 grants this year will go to agencies that are scaling up effective programs, which will receive grants of up to $25 million each. “Validation” grants of up to $15 million will go to programs that have shown promise but need further study before being widely implemented, and highly promising but untested programs will receive “development” grants of about $3 million. 

The U.S. DOE has modified the priorities it seeks to fund in this latest round of i3 to include promoting science, technology, engineering and math education; improving school, family and community engagement and school safety; turning around persistently low-performing schools; or improving rural graduation rates.

Awards will be announced by Dec. 31. For additional details and the eight-question Intent to Apply form, visit the i3 website or email i3@ed.gov.