K-12 School Funding (to share with K-12 colleagues)

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has released the Request for Applications (RFA) for Oregon’s 21st Century Technology-Rich Learning and Teaching ARRA Title IID Subgrants. Click here for the application.

The Accelerate Oregon Foundation (AO) is offering districts and schools across Oregon the opportunity to submit an application to receive a grant for Classroom Presentation Systems to be placed in 8th grade classrooms. Click here for the application.

The Oregon Department of Education and the Accelerate Oregon Foundation are coordinating these two grant opportunities in partnership to maximize school district planning for, and integration of, education technology and 21st century education. Both ODE and AO place a high priority on public private partnerships to increase school access to 21st century education resources.

National Planning Grants and Indian Tribes Planning Grants

The purpose of planning grants is to support the development of AmeriCorps programs so applicants are better prepared to compete for a multi-state AmeriCorps grant in the following grant cycle. These grants are awarded for 12 months.

Amount: $250,000

Due: October 19, 2009

For more information, click here.

Paraprofessional Preservice Program Improvement Grants

U.S. Department of Education announces the availability of funding to help address the need for highly qualified personnel in special education, related services, early intervention, and regular education to work with infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. Improving paraprofessional preservice programs will help ensure that paraprofessionals are adequately trained to meet IDEA requirements and the needs of children.

Amount: $150,000/year for 4 years

Date due: November 3, 2009

Purpose of the program is to improve paraprofessional preservice programs in one of two focus areas. Focus Area A is for EI, ECSE or ECE paraprofessional to serve children ages birth through five. Focus Area B is for K - 12 general education and/or special education.

For more information, click here.

Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program (Teacher Education focus)

This program supports overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area stuidies for groups of teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor. Projects are short-term and include seminars, curriculum development, or group research or study.

Amount: $$90,000 for 12 months

Due: October 6, 2009

Projects must focus on one or more of the following geographic regions of the world: Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the Western Hemisphere (Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), East Central Europe and Eurasia, and the Near East.

There are two competitive preferences and one invitational priority. Competitive Preference 1 is for projects focusing on any of the 78 languages deemed critical on the U.S. Department of Education's list of Less Commonly Taught Languages (list within RFP). Competitive Preference 2 is for projects that develop and improve foreign language and/or area studies at elementary and secondary schools. Invitational Priority is for collaborative efforts between colleges and/or departments that provide pre-service traning for K-12 teachers in foreign languages and international area studies in teacher education programs.

For more information, click here.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) -- includes Education

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation including education. REU Sites must have a well-defined common focus that enables a cohort experience for students. These projects may be based in a single discipline or academic department, or on interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme.

Amount: Varies

Due: October 22, 2009

REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. This solicitation features two mechanisms for support of student research: (1) REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research. REU Sites may be based in a single discipline or academic department, or on interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme. Proposals with an international dimension are welcome. A partnership with the Department of Defense supports REU Sites in DoD-relevant research areas.

For more information, click here.

Supporting Universities to Partner Across the Pacific

The United States Agency for International Development Mission to Indonesia is seeking applications from U.S. institutions of higher education that support USAID/Indonesia's development strategy through partnership activities between institutions of higher education in Indonesia and the United States.

Amount: $650,000

Due: September 8, 2009 (concept paper)

Priorities include improving the quality of teacher training institutions, improving economic research and analysis, improving public health services, supporting effective governance through policy making, public management and advocacy, and improving agricultural productivity.

For more information, click here.

Teacher Quality Partnership Grants (Round 2)

The U.S. Department of Education announces Round 2 of the Teacher Quality Partnership grants program. The purpose of the TQP grants are to improve student achievement, improve the quality of new teachers, hold teacher prep programs accountable, and to expand the teacher candidate pool.

Amount: $2m/year for 5 years

Due: October 6, 2009

The primary difference between Round 1 and Round 2 funding is the extension of the MAT residency to 18 months and the allowance of fifth-year teacher preparation programs.

For more information, click here.