The U.S. Department of Education announced today that it issued a Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for a new American History and Civics (AHC) Seminars discretionary grant program in honor of America’s 250th celebration. Applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 program are now open.
“As our nation’s 250th birthday approaches, the Department of Education is providing grantees with an opportunity to celebrate the roots of our constitutional republic and teach students about America’s Founding principles and the responsibilities of citizenship. This new program will fund seminars that equip educators and students with the knowledge and civic values needed to uphold the freedoms we enjoy,” said Hayley Sanon, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Background:
- The Department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) intends to conduct informational webinars to provide technical assistance to interested applicants for grants under the AHC-Seminars program.
- Applicants must design and implement evidence-based approaches to seminars for educators or students specifically focused on American history and civics that directly commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Founding of the United States.
- Seminars must study the American political tradition (ideas, traditions, institutions, and texts essential to American constitutional government and American history) with a focus on the first principles of the Founding, their inclusion in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
- Priority will be given to applicants from institutions of higher education that have established independent academic units dedicated to civic thought, constitutional studies, American history, political leadership, and free market economics.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit an Intent to Apply by July 2, 2025.
- For new potential grantees unfamiliar with grantmaking at the Department, please consult the Federal Register Notice for more information.
- Questions regarding this grant opportunity can be directed to AmericanHistoryandCivics@ED.gov.