Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett today announced the open application period for schools seeking to apply for Innovation Fund grants. Schools, districts, charters, non-profits and other entities are invited to apply for a portion of $2.5 million to help improve students’ academic performance through creative, effective and sustainable programs. The state legislature created the fund in the 2011- 2013 biennial state budget.
“If Indiana is serious about educating children in the 21st century, we must support and encourage innovation in our schools,” Bennett said. “This competitive grant program accomplishes that goal by providing financial awards to our most forward thinking schools and other entities to help them implement or expand successful programs for students.”
An applicant must propose a program that addresses educator effectiveness, college and career readiness, and/or overall school improvement. Applications are not limited to new programs and may include established programs that are expanding or diversifying.
Grant recipients will be selected based on the proposed program’s alignment to the grant priorities and its ability to create transformational change in a crucial area of need. The amount granted to winning schools and entities will depend on several factors, including the number of winning applicants, the size of proposed innovations and application quality.
Each application will be scored by multiple trained reviewers, including Indiana Department of Education staff and outside experts. Each grant will be awarded for the period of one year, and funds will be available in early 2013. Individual grant amounts will not exceed $500,000.
Complete applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. EDT on December 31, 2012. Innovation Fund recipients will be selected and notified in early spring 2013.
To learn more or apply for an Innovation Fund grant, visit http://www.doe.in.gov/news/schools-organizations-invited-apply-2013-innovation-fund-grants.