Insight Grants

Featured Grant Opportunity: NYSED Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention Program

The New York State Education Department has announced a new grant competition, the NYSED Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention Program. The program’s primary purpose is “to provide support to students through extended school day activities and/or school safety programs which promote violence prevention.”

Extended School Day (ESD) programs must serve students in grades PreK-12, and a total of at least 50 students must be served. ESD programming may take place before or after school, Saturdays, Sundays, and/or during the summer. ESD programs must operate at least 3 days per week for at least 2 hours per day. The RFP states ESD programs must, “Provide extracurricular enrichment activities including but not limited to athletics, academic enrichment, art, music, drama, academic tutoring, mentoring, community services and related programs that will increase student achievement and contribute to school violence prevention.”

The RFP indicates, “School safety activities include goods and services to provide safe corridors, diversity programs, collaboration with law enforcement agencies or community-based organizations, metal detectors, intercom systems and other intra-school communication devices, devices to increase the security and safety of program personnel and students. School safety activities may also include comprehensive school-based intervention models that reduce violence and improve school safety.”

Additional Details:

  • Applications are due January 8th, 2016.
  • Public school districts and not-for-profit organizations working in collaboration with a public school district(s) are eligible to apply.
  • Maximum annual request is $350,000.00 per year.  There is a per-student cap on Extended School Day activities that could reduce the individual applicant’s maximum request amount. There is no per-student cap on violence prevention activities.
  • The grant period is 5 years – from July 1st, 2016 to June 30th, 2021.
  • A total of $24.3 Million is available per year.
  • Funds will be allocated to geographic areas across NYS at: 55% to NYC, 15% to Buffalo/Rochester/Syracuse/Yonkers, and 30% to the rest of the state.
  • Applications must be submitted electronically through the new FluidReview portal at https://nysed-esdsvp.fluidreview.com/and hardcopies must also be submitted.

For complete details and grant documents visit the NYSED Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention Program page.

Grant Opportunity: Learning Technology Grant (NYS)

The New York State Education Department is offering funding through the 2015-2018 Learning Technology Grant Program.

“The Purpose of this grant is to help transform learning environments through the integrated use of instructional technology in classrooms and school libraries, and to provide sustained professional development to increase the skills of teachers and school librarians in the use of instructional technology in coordination and implementation of the Learning Standards of New York State ( http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/standards.html), and the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards, ( http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/common_core_standards/). The goals of this grant are to integrate instructional technology in classrooms and school libraries to help students attain higher levels of performance in the State Learning Standards of NY and NYS Common Core Learning Standards to ensure that all New York students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.”

Examples of Learning Technology programs given include: Professional development for the integration of instructional technology purchase through the Smart Schools Bond Act, One-to-one computing programs, closing the digital divide, flipped classrooms, online and blended learning initiatives including creation or completion of course models for use in online or blended learning environments, increased broadband access, computer-based testing readiness, online learning as accommodations for students with disabilities, and school librarians as educational technology leaders.

Who Can Apply? Public school districts and BOCES. Big Five Applicants – New York City, and Big 4 – Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers –must include a primary focus on at least one school identified as “Priority” in the application to be considered for funding. Rest of State (ROS) applicants must include primary focus on at least one school identified as “Priority” or “Focus” in the application to be considered for funding. Applicants must give nonpublic schools within their boundaries the opportunity to participate. In NYC, the districts/applicants are the Community School Districts (CSD) within NYC DOE.

Awards: Maximum amount is $50,000 per project year. The grant period runs December 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018.

Deadline: Friday, September 18, 2015

To get complete information and to access the application, visit the Learning Technology grant page at NYSED.gov.

Grant Opportunity: New York State Pathways in Technology (NYS P-Tech)

NYSED has released information on the New York State Pathways in Technology (P-Tech) program through it’s Pre-Collegiate Preparation program.

“The New York State Pathways in Technology (NYS P-Tech) program is a public-private partnership that will prepare thousands of New York students for high-skills jobs of the future in technology, manufacturing, healthcare and finance.”

Project Scope: The project seeks to fund regional partnerships in economic development regions of the State that are currently under-served by the P-TECH model and that demonstrate the greatest need for enhanced access to post-secondary opportunity. Each partnership will include K-12, higher education, and business/employer partners.

There are five critical benefits to students from the NYS P-TECH model:

1.) A rigorous, relevant, and cost-free grades 9 to 14 education focused on the knowledge and skills students for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers;

2.) Workplace learning that includes ongoing mentoring by professionals in the chosen career sector, worksite visits, speakers and internships;

3.) Intensive, individualized academic support by K-12 and college faculty within an extended academic year or school day that enables students to progress through the program at their own pace;

4.) An Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS), or the two-year degree that is the industry standard for the targeted jobs, in a high-tech field; and

5.) The commitment to be first in line for a job with the participating business/employer partners following completion of the program.

Deadline for Applications: July 15th, 2015.

Award Information: Grants will be for seven years, from September 1, 2015 to June 30, 2022. Up to a total of 7 awards will be made to eligible partnerships. Awards will be eligible to receive up to $3 million for their approved program over the full seven years.

Who Can Apply: A New York State public school district must serve as the fiscal agent/applicant for each application. A BOCES, community college, or other member of the consortium may serve as lead implementing partner.

For complete information and to access the RFP visit nysed.gov

Grant Opportunity: Opportunities for Students With Disabilities (NY)

NYSED is offering a grant program for New York Schools to assist students with disabilities. The Program Development Grant to Prepare Students with Disabilities to Exit School with Work Readiness Skills is now open.

“The Program Development Grant program is a competitive grant program to provide funding for schools to enhance their instructional programs to increase students with disabilities’ access to and participation in career and technical education (CTE) coursework, instruction in the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) learning standards, and work-based learning opportunities to fulfill requirements for the award of the NYS CDOS Commencement Credential.”

Who Can Apply: NYS School Districts, approved private schools, special art school districts, state supported schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) are eligible to apply.

Award Information: Estimated funds available are $10 million annually. The anticipated project period is 9/1/15 to 6/30/18. Maximum annual award amounts: NYC $500,000 –  Syracuse, Rochester, Boston, Yonkers $400,000 – rest of state $300,000 – a consortium of eligible applications $300,000.

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by May 29th, 2015.

For complete information and to access the RFP, visit the NYSED website.

NYSED STLE 4/D Awards Announced, Insight Client Alden Central School District (NY) Awarded $217,000.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently posted a list of preliminary awardees for the Strengthening Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Dissemination Grant: Principal Leadership Competitive Grants Program  (STLE 4/D):  Congratulations to all of the winners, including Insight Client Alden Central School District, NY. The Insight team worked with Alden in writing their grant which is scheduled to be funded in the amount of $217,000!

To learn more about the program view the New York State Education Department press release here.

 

Featured Grant Opportunity: National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant NY

Many of the grant opportunities we feature on the blog have a national or regional presence. This opportunity is specifically for schools located in New York State.

The New York State Education Department is offering New York schools an opportunity for food service equipment through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities. The equipment being funded through the grant will allow schools to supplement existing equipment with additional resources to serve healthier meals that meet the updated meal patterns, improve the overall quality of meals, improve efficiency of production and service, and expand participation in the program.

Grant applications are due December 1st, 2014. Awards are a minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $20,000 per school. Priority will be given to schools with 50 percent or more students eligible for free/reduced price lunch. Each piece  of requested equipment requires its own application.

Often times schools are struggling to replace or enhance their current food service equipment and are prohibited from giving students the healthiest and best possible service. With almost $2,000,000 available in total funding, this is an opportunity that most New York State schools are eligible for and consider.  Please note the following eligibility allowances and restrictions, “All schools under a School Food Authority (SFA) in the NSLP are eligible – public school districts, non-profit nonpublic schools, charter schools and residential child care institutions in the NSLP in New York State except schools that received the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Food Service Equipment Grant in 2009-2010 or the FY 2010 Equipment Assistance Grant in 2010-2011.” To see full information on the program, including the list of ineligible schools and the grant application, visit the NYSED website.

NYSED Teacher and School Leader Effectiveness Grant Awards Announced

The New York State Education Department recently announced grant awards for the Strengthening Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Program (STLE 3), and we were pleased to learn that Insight client Alexander Central School District was awarded funding! We worked with Alexander’s administration to write a very strong grant proposal that is now scheduled to receive $96,050 in STLE 3 funding. Alexander’s project is focused on creating career ladders for both teachers and principals that include opportunities for each to be rewarded for high-quality job performance and acceptance of additional duties. The ladders will allow opportunities for teachers and principals to be educators and leaders for their peers in order to create an stronger learning environment for students that facilitates increased achievement of Common Core Learning Standards.

The STLE grants and activities are supported, in whole or in part, by New York State’s Race to to the Top federal funds. STLE 3 grants are targeted to support school districts and charter schools utilizing a comprehensive approach to recruitment, development, support, retention and equitable distribution of effective teachers and school leaders as part of their implementation of an Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) plan.

To see more about the program, including some of the STLE 3 initiatives included in awardees’ plans, access the press release regarding STLE 3. To date, Insight has worked with four school districts on STLE grant proposals, and we are pleased to report that all of the districts have received STLE funding. To see a list of grants won by the Insight Team, visit our awarded grants page.

Winners Announced for Community Learning Schools Grant Initiative 2013 (NYSED)

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently posted a list of awardees for the Community Schools Grant Initiative (CSGI) for 2013. Congratulations to all of the winners on the award list including Insight Client Wellsville Central School District who is scheduled to receive funding of $120,000 as a 2013-2014 award and a cumulative award total of $500,000 over the period of 2013 – 2016.

Community Schools grants support “plans that target school buildings as ‘community  hubs to deliver co-located or school-linked academic, health, mental health,  nutrition, counseling, legal and/or other services to students and their  families in a manner that will lead to improved educational and other  outcomes.’”

The grant funds support almost any kind of service that support students and their families to help students be more successful in school. Wellsville chose to focus on:

  • Hiring social workers to increase school-based counseling services, establish case-management-like services, and support community linkages for families.
  • Providing school-based dental health services for students.
  • Providing nutrition education for students and their families in partnership with Jones Memorial Hospital.

To see the rules and requirements of the 2013 program as well as a complete list of winners visit the Community Schools Grant Initiative page on NYSED’s website.

Winners Announced for NYSED Strengthening Teacher and Leader Effectiveness 2: Teacher and Principal Leadership

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently posted a list of preliminary awardees for the Strengthening Teacher and Leader Effectiveness (STLE) Round 2: Teacher and Principal Leadership Grant. Congratulations to all of the winners, including the following two Insight clients who were on the awardee list:

•          Pembroke Central School District, NY $119,161
•          Medina Central School District, NY $221,365

The purpose of the program is to encourage and support eligible districts and public charter schools to develop, implement and/or enhance a career ladder as part of a comprehensive systems approach to recruitment, development, retention and equitable distribution of effective teachers and school leaders as part of their implementation of the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) system required by Education Law §3012-c.

On 10/23/2013, NYSED also released the RFP for STLE Round 3. A list of eligible applicants can be found at the Eligibility List on NYSED’s website.  If you are eligible to apply and would like assistance with your application, please contact us ASAP. Applications are due 12/2/2013.

Insight Grants