Education Grant Programs
K-12, higher education, adult education, STEM, literacy, and workforce training programs.
Category overview. The Education category groups 93 active federal assistance programs from the SAM.gov Assistance Listings catalog. These programs run across 5 distinct federal agencies, with the heaviest concentration at U.S. Department of Education (77 programs), U.S. Department of Labor (12 programs), U.S. Department of State (2 programs). Every listing feeds into the Grants.gov announcement system, where agencies publish their Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) with specific deadlines, forms, and evaluation criteria. Categories exist to help applicants find relevant programs quickly, but each program has its own authorizing legislation and rules.
Funding scale. SAM.gov publishes funding range data for 93 of the 93 education programs. The largest listed award ceiling in this category is $100.0 million, and the median ceiling across programs with published ranges is $5.0 million. Published award ranges reflect the envelope across all awards a program may issue in a year, not the amount any single applicant should expect. Appropriations, applicant pool size, and scoring all shape the final allocation. First-time applicants are wise to read several historical award announcements in a category to calibrate realistic project budgets.
Who applies. Across the 93 education programs, the most frequently listed eligibility categories are state local gov (57 programs), educational institution (37 programs), nonprofit (18 programs). Every applicant must hold an active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity ID (UEI), regardless of entity type. Nonprofits should keep their IRS determination letter on file; state and local governments route submissions through an authorizing official; tribal organizations apply under set-aside rules; educational institutions typically work through an institutional pre-award office. The PlainGrants education listings link directly to each program's CFDA page, where you can check current eligibility, funding range, open Grants.gov opportunities, and the administering agency.
93 active education programs:
Academic Exchange Programs
Educational and cultural exchanges fostering mutual understanding between the US and other countries.
Eligible: educational institution · nonprofit
Up to $5M
Adult Education State Grants
Grants to states for adult literacy, basic skills, and English language acquisition programs.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
Advanced Placement Program
Increases access to advanced placement courses and exams for students from low-income families.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
AmeriCorps State and National Programs
Competitive and formula grants for AmeriCorps programs engaging volunteers in service to communities.
Eligible: nonprofit · state local gov
Up to $10M
Arts in Education
Supports model arts education programs and professional development for teachers in high-need schools.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit
Up to $5M
Assistive Technology Programs
Funds state programs providing access to assistive technology devices and services for people with disabilities.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
Career and Technical Education State Grants (Perkins)
Formula grants to strengthen career and technical education programs in secondary and postsecondary institutions.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $20M
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement
Formula grants to strengthen career and technical education programs at secondary and postsecondary levels.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $20M
Centers for Independent Living
Consumer-controlled nonprofit centers that provide independent living services to individuals with disabilities.
Eligible: nonprofit
Up to $1M
Charter Schools
Grants to support the creation, quality, and expansion of effective charter schools.
Eligible: state local gov · educational institution
Up to $10M
Demonstration Grants for Indian Children
Supports innovative programs meeting educational and culturally related academic needs of Indian children.
Eligible: tribal gov · educational institution
Up to $1M
Disability Employment Initiative
Grants to improve employment outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities through workforce systems.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
Early Learning Alignment and Improvement Grants
Helps states align, coordinate, and improve early learning and development programs for children birth through age 5.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $25M
Early Reading First
Transforms early childhood programs in high-poverty communities into centers of excellence for early literacy.
Eligible: state local gov · educational institution
Up to $3M
Education for Homeless Children and Youths
Ensures homeless children have equal access to free and appropriate public education.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $2M
Education Research and Development
Supports scientific research to improve student academic achievement and address educational challenges.
Eligible: educational institution · nonprofit
Up to $3M
Educational Exchange — Fulbright Program
Prestigious international educational exchange program for students, scholars, teachers, and professionals.
Eligible: educational institution · individual
Up to $100K
Employment Service
Federal grants to states for public employment offices providing job placement, career guidance, and labor market information.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $20M
English Language Acquisition State Grants
Helps English language learners attain proficiency and meet academic standards through state and local programs.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
Even Start Family Literacy
Family literacy services for low-income families to improve parent literacy and children's school readiness.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $3M
Federal Direct Student Loans
Federal student loans for undergraduate and graduate students with lower interest rates than most private loans.
Eligible: individual
Up to $21K
Federal Pell Grant Program
Need-based grant for undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor's degree at eligible colleges and universities.
Eligible: individual
Up to $7K
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
Campus-based grants for exceptional financial need; priority to Pell Grant recipients with lowest expected family contribution.
Eligible: individual
Up to $4K
Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education
Competitive grants for innovative reform projects to improve postsecondary education practice.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $2M
Fund for the Improvement of Education
Promotes innovative approaches to improving education and educational equity.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit · educational institution
Up to $3M
Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)
Competitive grants to improve postsecondary education through reforms, innovations, and new program development.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $1M
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
Grants to help low-income middle and high school students prepare for college.
Eligible: state local gov · educational institution
Up to $10M
GED Testing Services
Support for GED and high school equivalency programs for adults who did not complete high school.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $3M
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need
Fellowships to attract U.S. citizens to graduate study in fields of national need.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $3M
Grants for Early Childhood Education
Supports high-quality early childhood education programs for children from birth through age 5.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
H-1B Technical Skills Training Grants
Grants to increase the technical skills of American workers in high-growth industries.
Eligible: state local gov · educational institution · nonprofit
Up to $10M
Higher Education Facilities Loans and Insurance
Loans and loan insurance for construction and renovation of academic facilities at eligible institutions.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $20M
Higher Education Institutional Aid
Formula grants to strengthen academic quality and financial stability of eligible colleges serving underserved students.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $5M
Impact Aid
Compensates local school districts for revenues lost due to federal land ownership and federally connected students.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $10M
Improving Literacy Through School Libraries
Helps states and districts improve school library programs, collections, and technology to support student literacy.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $2M
Improving Teacher Quality State Grants
Funds teacher recruitment, training, and retention programs to improve instruction quality.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $25M
Independent Living State Grants
Supports independent living centers and services for individuals with significant disabilities.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $2M
Indian Education Discretionary Grants
Competitive grants for educational programs benefiting American Indian and Alaska Native students.
Eligible: tribal gov · educational institution
Up to $1M
Indian Education Formula Grants
Formula grants to meet the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of American Indian students.
Eligible: tribal gov · state local gov
Up to $2M
Industry and Sector Partnerships
Grants to develop sector-based workforce partnerships connecting employers and workers in high-demand industries.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit
Up to $5M
Innovative Approaches to Literacy
Funds high-quality literacy programs for children and teens in high-need schools and communities.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit
Up to $5M
Investing in Innovation Fund (i3)
Supports development, validation, and scale-up of evidence-based educational practices.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit · educational institution
Up to $50M
Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education
Supports research and development for identifying and serving gifted and talented students.
Eligible: state local gov · educational institution
Up to $3M
Magnet Schools Assistance
Competitive grants to magnet schools that promote diversity and student achievement.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $15M
Mathematics and Science Partnerships
Partnerships between higher education and K-12 schools to improve math and science teacher quality and student achievement.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement
Prepares Pell-eligible and first-generation undergraduates for doctoral study through research mentorship.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $700K
Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Program
Trains school-based mental health professionals for placement in high-need schools.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $5M
Migrant Education Basic State Formula Grants
Helps meet the educational needs of migratory children whose families move to find agricultural or fishing work.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program
Increases participation of underrepresented minorities in STEM fields through institutional development.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $500K
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Research grants to improve the lives of people with disabilities through knowledge generation and translation.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $3M
Noyce Scholarship Program
Scholarships and stipends to attract talented STEM students to careers in K-12 teaching in high-need schools.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $3M
One-Stop Career Center Grants
Grants for comprehensive American Job Center network providing employment and training services.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $10M
Race to the Top
Competitive grants for states implementing comprehensive education reform in standards, assessment, and data systems.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $50M
Race to the Top — Early Learning Challenge
Competitive grants to improve early learning and development programs for children birth through age five.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $100M
Reading First
Supports evidence-based reading instruction in kindergarten through grade 3 in high-poverty schools.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $15M
Ready to Learn Television
Supports educational technology projects using public telecommunications for learning and professional development.
Eligible: nonprofit
Up to $15M
Reentry Employment Opportunities
Grants providing employment services to formerly incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism.
Eligible: nonprofit
Up to $5M
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
Conducts research and training to improve rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $3M
Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation
Formula grants to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities seeking employment.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $20M
Rehabilitation Short-Term Training
Short-term training for rehabilitation professionals to improve knowledge and skills for serving people with disabilities.
Eligible: educational institution · nonprofit
Up to $500K
Rehabilitation Training
Training grants for rehabilitation counselors, assistive technology specialists, and other rehab professionals.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $1M
Reintegration for Ex-Offenders Adult
Competitive grants for workforce development and mentoring services helping adults with criminal records find employment.
Eligible: nonprofit
Up to $5M
Reintegration of Ex-Offenders
Competitive grants to provide workforce development services to help ex-offenders find employment.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit
Up to $3M
Research in Special Education
Funds research to improve education outcomes for children with disabilities.
Eligible: educational institution · nonprofit
Up to $2M
Rural Education Achievement Program
Assists rural school districts with special challenges through formula and competitive grants.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $1M
Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities
Programs to prevent violence and drug use in schools and communities.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
School Improvement Grants
Competitive grants to turn around persistently lowest-achieving schools through evidence-based transformation models.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $10M
School Improvement Grants
Grants to identify and turn around persistently lowest-performing schools.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $25M
School Leadership
Develops leaders who can improve instruction and raise student achievement in high-need schools.
Eligible: state local gov · educational institution
Up to $5M
Senior Community Service Employment Program
Part-time employment and training opportunities for low-income older adults to transition to private employment.
Eligible: nonprofit · state local gov
Up to $20M
Special Education Grants to States (IDEA Part B)
Formula grants to ensure free and appropriate education for children with disabilities.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $100M
Special Education Preschool Grants
Supports states in providing special education and related services to children aged 3-5 with disabilities.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $10M
Striving Readers
Develops and evaluates approaches to raising the literacy levels of middle and high school students.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $25M
Supported Employment Services for Individuals with Severe Disabilities
Grants to states for supported employment programs helping individuals with severe disabilities work competitively.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $5M
Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program
Grants for developing, implementing, and evaluating human capital management systems for teachers and leaders.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $25M
Teacher Incentive Fund
Competitive grants for performance-based teacher and principal compensation systems in high-need schools.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $50M
Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants
Competitive grants for colleges, universities, and states to reform teacher preparation programs.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $3M
Teacher Quality Partnerships
Competitive grants to partnerships between higher education and high-need schools for teacher preparation reform.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $5M
Teaching American History
Supports programs to raise student achievement in American history through professional development for teachers.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $2M
Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Formula grants to improve academic achievement of disadvantaged students in high-poverty schools.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $50M
Training Interpreters for Individuals who are Deaf
Training for interpreters serving individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $500K
Transition to Teaching
Recruits mid-career professionals and recent college graduates to teach in high-need schools as certified teachers.
Eligible: state local gov · nonprofit
Up to $5M
TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers
Counseling and informational services to adults seeking to enter or continue college education.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $500K
TRIO Programs — Veteran Upward Bound
Academic support programs to help veterans prepare for and succeed in postsecondary education.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $500K
TRIO — McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement
Prepares eligible participants for doctoral programs through research and scholarly activities.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $700K
TRIO — Student Support Services
Provides academic tutoring, counseling, and financial assistance to first-generation college students.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $600K
TRIO — Talent Search
Identifies potential college students from disadvantaged backgrounds and assists with preparation and enrollment.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $500K
TRIO — Upward Bound
Academic support for high school students from low-income families to succeed in postsecondary education.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $750K
TRIO — Veteran Upward Bound
Programs to help veterans develop academic skills and prepare for college enrollment.
Eligible: educational institution
Up to $500K
Vocational Education Basic Grants to States
Formula grants supporting secondary and postsecondary vocational and technical education programs.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $10M
WIOA Dislocated Workers
Formula grants for services to workers who have lost jobs due to plant closings, layoffs, or disasters.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $50M
WIOA Youth Activities
Formula grants for employment and education activities for in-school and out-of-school youth ages 14-24.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $20M
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult
Formula grants providing training, employment, and support services to low-income adults seeking jobs.
Eligible: state local gov
Up to $50M
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public official public datasets |