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- FY 2025 CSP MDD Competition
- Applicant Information and Eligibility
- Funding and Legislation
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What's New
Call for Peer Reviewers
The CSP Division seeks individuals from various educational backgrounds, professions and regions to serve as peer reviewers to assess fiscal year (FY) 2025 grant applications. Specifically, we are seeking peer reviewers for grants for the Model Development and Dissemination (MDD) Grant Program Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.282G. The peer review process is designed to identify and fund the highest-quality applications and create opportunities for the general public to participate in government and gain insight into the federal funding process.
For more information, please review the Call for Peer Reviewers.
FY 2025 MDD Grants Competition
On May 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education's Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program — Model Development and Dissemination Grants (MDD Grants) published a Notice Inviting Applications in the Federal Register. This is a new CSP dissemination program.
The Department plans to award an estimated $4,000,000 for new MDD Grants this fiscal year. The deadline for submission of a grant application is 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Time on July 14, 2025.
For more information about the FY 2025 CSP MDD Grants competition, please visit the FY 2025 CSP MDD Competition tab.
Program Description
The new Charter Schools Program (CSP) Model Development and Dissemination (MDD) grant program offers competitive grants to eligible organizations to develop and broadly disseminate information about innovative and effective practices of high-quality charter school models. The Department is establishing this program under the authority to disseminate best practices regarding charter schools in section 4305(a)(3)(B) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (20 U.S.C. 7221-7221j). By spreading awareness of key strategies of high-performing, innovative charter school models and promoting their collaborative adoption in school communities, the CSP MDD program supports the Department’s efforts to expand access to high-quality education options for our Nation’s students and families, ultimately leading to better student outcomes.
Aligned with the Trump Administration’s focus on educational excellence and opportunity, the Charter Schools Program (CSP) expands education choice by providing more schooling options to students, particularly those that reside in failing districts. The six grant programs available through the CSP increase the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the Nation and empower parents to select the schooling option that best fits their child’s unique needs. This program supports excellence, accountability, and transparency in the operational performance of all authorized public chartering agencies.
Charter schools are uniquely positioned to advance innovative school models. Through the CSP MDD program, the Department is particularly interested in information about strategies and practices of high-quality charter schools that use innovative education models designed to meet the needs of students and provide parents and families with high-quality options for their children. Unique and innovative school models include charter schools that focus on one or more of the following: classical and civics education; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, including computer science; career and technical education; or other innovative educational practices with evidence of success; or serving students with unique needs, such as students with disabilities or receiving special education or related services, military-connected students, students living in rural areas, or Native American students.
CSP MDD projects must focus on at least one stage of the lifecycle of a charter school, which typically involves design and planning, securing authorization, preparing to open (including obtaining a facility), enrollment and operations, achieving and sustaining student success, and potentially replication or expansion. Projects must also address key implementation challenges, including how these challenges were overcome.
This program ensures that children in our Nation receive an education that best fits their unique needs, enabling them to learn, grow, and thrive, regardless of income or zip code.
Applicant Information
The Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP) — Model Development and Dissemination Grants (MDD Grants) was published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2025. The deadline for submission of a grant application under this competition is 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on July 14, 2025.
FY 2025 CSP MDD Grants Notice Inviting Applications
Posted in the Federal Register on May 16, 2025 (HTML | PDF)
FY 2025 Competition Timeline
- Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 14, 2025
- Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 12, 2025
FY 2025 Competition Information
Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinars:
- FY 2025 CSP MDD Grant Competition Overview: This webinar was held on June 4, 2025, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET. During the webinar the U.S. Department of Education (Department) reviewed the competition eligibility requirements, priorities, selection criteria, and application requirements. The Department also included time to answer participants' questions.
- FY 2025 Pre-Application Webinar – Submitting Your CSP Grant Application: This pre-recorded webinar is designed to provide potential applicants with an overview of how to submit your application on Grants.gov.
- FY 2025 Pre-Application Webinar – Logic Models and SMART Performance Measures: This pre-recorded webinar is designed to help potential applicants create a logic model and develop SMART performance measures.
Application Package and Submission:
- CSP MDD Application Package Instructions: Please note this is an electronic copy for you to download and use as a guide only.
- Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov system at http://www.grants.gov/.
- Please do not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to U.S. Department of Education staff.
Hard Copy Applications:
For hard copy application packages, contact:
Charter Schools Program
Model Development and Dissemination Grant Program
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
Email: MDDCompetition@ed.gov
Required Application Forms:
Note: The forms listed below are in the electronic application package in Grants.gov. The following is a list of the required forms that must be completed, examples of which can be found here.
- Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) — mandatory
- Dept. of Education Supplemental Information for SF-424 — mandatory
- ED GEPA427 Form — mandatory
- ED 524 BUDGET INFORMATION NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS — mandatory
- Grants.gov Lobbying Form (ED-80-0013) — mandatory
- ED Abstract Form — mandatory
- Project Narrative Attachment Form — mandatory
- Budget Narrative Attachment Form — mandatory
- Project Objectives and Performance Measures Form — mandatory
- Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) — optional
- Other Attachments — optional
Registering on Grants.gov and SAM.gov:
- REGISTER EARLY — Grants.gov registration involves many steps, including registration on SAM (SAM.gov) which usually takes approximately 7-10 business days for approval but can take longer depending on the completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by an applicant.
- You may begin working on your application while completing the registration process, but you cannot submit an application until all of the registration steps are complete.
- Please note that once your SAM registration is active, it will take 24-48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov thus allowing you to submit an application through Grants.gov.
- For detailed information on the registration steps, please go here. Please note that your organization will need to update its SAM registration annually.
- To register in SAM.gov, click on the "Get Started" link in the "Register Your Entity…" sidebar on the right in SAM.gov.
- Grantees and other entities seeking to do business with the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., entities applying for a grant), that are not already registered in SAM.gov must complete the "Register Entity" registration option and NOT the "Get a Unique Entity ID" option. The "Get a Unique Entity ID" option, which is not a full registration, is only available to entities for reporting purposes. Failing to complete the "Register Entity" option may result in loss of funding, loss of applicant eligibility, and/or delays in receiving a grant award.
- Information about SAM is available at SAM.gov. To further assist you with registering in SAM or updating your existing SAM registration, see the Guidance for Federal Assistance Applicants and the Entity Registration Video here.
FY 2025 CSP MDD Grant Eligibility Information
Eligible entities include: Charter schools (as defined in the NIA); charter management organizations (as defined in the NIA); State educational agencies (SEAs); State charter school boards; State Governors; charter school support organizations (as defined in the NIA); authorized public chartering agencies (as defined in the NIA); and other public and private nonprofit organizations that operate, manage, or support charter schools.
Entities that apply for this competition may apply as a partnership or consortium and if so applying, must comply with the requirements for group applications set forth in 34 CFR 75.127-129.
Applicant Information
The Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program — Model Development and Dissemination Grants (MDD Grants) was published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2025, and can be accessed here. The deadline for submission of a grant application under this competition is 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 14, 2025.
Additional information about this grant competition can be found on the FY 2025 CSP MDD Competition tab.
Eligibility
Eligible entities for the CSP MDD Grants program include:
- Charter schools;
- Charter management organizations;
- State educational agencies;
- State charter school boards;
- State Governors;
- Charter school support organizations;
- Authorized public chartering agencies; and
- Other public and private nonprofit organizations that operate, manage, or support charter schools.
Entities that apply may apply as a partnership or consortium, and if so applying, must comply with the requirements for group applications set forth in 34 CFR 75.127-129.
The chart below provides the amount of CSP MDD funding per fiscal year (FY) since 2025.
| Fiscal Year (FY) | Funding for New Awards* | Funding for Continuation Awards* |
| FY 2025 | TBD | N/A |
*New Awards and Continuation Awards include supplemental and forward funding when applicable.
LEGISLATION
- Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 4301 - 4311 (20 U.S.C. 7221-7221j). PDF (485 KB)
- Charter School Program Assurances Grants to State Entities MS Word (31KB)
REGULATIONS
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR)
- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200)
- Uniform Guidance Technical Assistance for Grantees (Uniform Guidance TA)
GUIDANCE
Nonregulatory Guidance
- ESSA Flexibility Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (December 2017) PDF (190 KB)
- School Climate and Discipline Resources
- ESSA Flexibility Webinar Slides
- Dear Colleague Letter — ESSA flexibilities for CSP Grantees (November 2017) PDF (196 KB)
- Dear Colleague Letter — Guidance Regarding the Oversight of Charter Schools Program and Regulatory Requirements, Including the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (August 2016) PDF (226 KB)
- Dear Colleague Letter - Guidance and Federal Resources on Appropriate and Effective Oversight of Public Charter Schools. (September 2015) PDF (317 KB)
- Charter Schools Program Nonregulatory Guidance (updated January 2014) PDF (376 KB)
- CSP Guidance On the Use of Funds to Support Preschool Education (December 2014) PDF (211KB)
- Guidance Letter on Lottery Exemptions and Awards to Multiple Charter Schools Operating under a Single Charter (February 2008) PDF (1.4 MB)
Application Guidance
Notices Inviting Applications (NIAs) – CSP MDD Grants
For the most up-to-date information on this grant program and any future or current notices, please continue to check our website and search for current opportunities, and/or register for alerts for Grants.gov (search ALN 84.282).
The chart below contains information regarding the new grant awards made each for fiscal year (FY) since FY 2025.
| Fiscal Year (FY) | Number of new awards |
| FY 2025 | TBD |
Below is information regarding grantees under this program.
Awards Table Instructions: Please use the scroll bar at the bottom of the Awards tab to view the entire Awards table.
| Year Awarded | Grantee | Project Title | Duration (Years) | Amount available for Year 1 activities | Total Funding (for Year 1 and 2 Activities) | Total Expected Funding | City | State | Score | Abstract | Application | Reviewers' Comments |
| Funded FY 2025 Applications | ||||||||||||
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | |||
What's New
Call for Peer Reviewers
The CSP Division seeks individuals from various educational backgrounds, professions and regions to serve as peer reviewers to assess fiscal year (FY) 2025 grant applications. Specifically, we are seeking peer reviewers for grants for the Model Development and Dissemination (MDD) Grant Program Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.282G. The peer review process is designed to identify and fund the highest-quality applications and create opportunities for the general public to participate in government and gain insight into the federal funding process.
For more information, please review the Call for Peer Reviewers.
FY 2025 MDD Grants Competition
On May 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education's Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program — Model Development and Dissemination Grants (MDD Grants) published a Notice Inviting Applications in the Federal Register. This is a new CSP dissemination program.
The Department plans to award an estimated $4,000,000 for new MDD Grants this fiscal year. The deadline for submission of a grant application is 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Time on July 14, 2025.
For more information about the FY 2025 CSP MDD Grants competition, please visit the FY 2025 CSP MDD Competition tab.
Program Description
The new Charter Schools Program (CSP) Model Development and Dissemination (MDD) grant program offers competitive grants to eligible organizations to develop and broadly disseminate information about innovative and effective practices of high-quality charter school models. The Department is establishing this program under the authority to disseminate best practices regarding charter schools in section 4305(a)(3)(B) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (20 U.S.C. 7221-7221j). By spreading awareness of key strategies of high-performing, innovative charter school models and promoting their collaborative adoption in school communities, the CSP MDD program supports the Department’s efforts to expand access to high-quality education options for our Nation’s students and families, ultimately leading to better student outcomes.
Aligned with the Trump Administration’s focus on educational excellence and opportunity, the Charter Schools Program (CSP) expands education choice by providing more schooling options to students, particularly those that reside in failing districts. The six grant programs available through the CSP increase the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the Nation and empower parents to select the schooling option that best fits their child’s unique needs. This program supports excellence, accountability, and transparency in the operational performance of all authorized public chartering agencies.
Charter schools are uniquely positioned to advance innovative school models. Through the CSP MDD program, the Department is particularly interested in information about strategies and practices of high-quality charter schools that use innovative education models designed to meet the needs of students and provide parents and families with high-quality options for their children. Unique and innovative school models include charter schools that focus on one or more of the following: classical and civics education; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, including computer science; career and technical education; or other innovative educational practices with evidence of success; or serving students with unique needs, such as students with disabilities or receiving special education or related services, military-connected students, students living in rural areas, or Native American students.
CSP MDD projects must focus on at least one stage of the lifecycle of a charter school, which typically involves design and planning, securing authorization, preparing to open (including obtaining a facility), enrollment and operations, achieving and sustaining student success, and potentially replication or expansion. Projects must also address key implementation challenges, including how these challenges were overcome.
This program ensures that children in our Nation receive an education that best fits their unique needs, enabling them to learn, grow, and thrive, regardless of income or zip code.
Applicant Information
The Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP) — Model Development and Dissemination Grants (MDD Grants) was published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2025. The deadline for submission of a grant application under this competition is 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on July 14, 2025.
FY 2025 CSP MDD Grants Notice Inviting Applications
Posted in the Federal Register on May 16, 2025 (HTML | PDF)
FY 2025 Competition Timeline
- Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 14, 2025
- Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 12, 2025
FY 2025 Competition Information
Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinars:
- FY 2025 CSP MDD Grant Competition Overview: This webinar was held on June 4, 2025, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET. During the webinar the U.S. Department of Education (Department) reviewed the competition eligibility requirements, priorities, selection criteria, and application requirements. The Department also included time to answer participants' questions.
- FY 2025 Pre-Application Webinar – Submitting Your CSP Grant Application: This pre-recorded webinar is designed to provide potential applicants with an overview of how to submit your application on Grants.gov.
- FY 2025 Pre-Application Webinar – Logic Models and SMART Performance Measures: This pre-recorded webinar is designed to help potential applicants create a logic model and develop SMART performance measures.
Application Package and Submission:
- CSP MDD Application Package Instructions: Please note this is an electronic copy for you to download and use as a guide only.
- Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov system at http://www.grants.gov/.
- Please do not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to U.S. Department of Education staff.
Hard Copy Applications:
For hard copy application packages, contact:
Charter Schools Program
Model Development and Dissemination Grant Program
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
Email: MDDCompetition@ed.gov
Required Application Forms:
Note: The forms listed below are in the electronic application package in Grants.gov. The following is a list of the required forms that must be completed, examples of which can be found here.
- Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) — mandatory
- Dept. of Education Supplemental Information for SF-424 — mandatory
- ED GEPA427 Form — mandatory
- ED 524 BUDGET INFORMATION NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS — mandatory
- Grants.gov Lobbying Form (ED-80-0013) — mandatory
- ED Abstract Form — mandatory
- Project Narrative Attachment Form — mandatory
- Budget Narrative Attachment Form — mandatory
- Project Objectives and Performance Measures Form — mandatory
- Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) — optional
- Other Attachments — optional
Registering on Grants.gov and SAM.gov:
- REGISTER EARLY — Grants.gov registration involves many steps, including registration on SAM (SAM.gov) which usually takes approximately 7-10 business days for approval but can take longer depending on the completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by an applicant.
- You may begin working on your application while completing the registration process, but you cannot submit an application until all of the registration steps are complete.
- Please note that once your SAM registration is active, it will take 24-48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov thus allowing you to submit an application through Grants.gov.
- For detailed information on the registration steps, please go here. Please note that your organization will need to update its SAM registration annually.
- To register in SAM.gov, click on the "Get Started" link in the "Register Your Entity…" sidebar on the right in SAM.gov.
- Grantees and other entities seeking to do business with the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., entities applying for a grant), that are not already registered in SAM.gov must complete the "Register Entity" registration option and NOT the "Get a Unique Entity ID" option. The "Get a Unique Entity ID" option, which is not a full registration, is only available to entities for reporting purposes. Failing to complete the "Register Entity" option may result in loss of funding, loss of applicant eligibility, and/or delays in receiving a grant award.
- Information about SAM is available at SAM.gov. To further assist you with registering in SAM or updating your existing SAM registration, see the Guidance for Federal Assistance Applicants and the Entity Registration Video here.
FY 2025 CSP MDD Grant Eligibility Information
Eligible entities include: Charter schools (as defined in the NIA); charter management organizations (as defined in the NIA); State educational agencies (SEAs); State charter school boards; State Governors; charter school support organizations (as defined in the NIA); authorized public chartering agencies (as defined in the NIA); and other public and private nonprofit organizations that operate, manage, or support charter schools.
Entities that apply for this competition may apply as a partnership or consortium and if so applying, must comply with the requirements for group applications set forth in 34 CFR 75.127-129.
Applicant Information
The Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program — Model Development and Dissemination Grants (MDD Grants) was published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2025, and can be accessed here. The deadline for submission of a grant application under this competition is 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 14, 2025.
Additional information about this grant competition can be found on the FY 2025 CSP MDD Competition tab.
Eligibility
Eligible entities for the CSP MDD Grants program include:
- Charter schools;
- Charter management organizations;
- State educational agencies;
- State charter school boards;
- State Governors;
- Charter school support organizations;
- Authorized public chartering agencies; and
- Other public and private nonprofit organizations that operate, manage, or support charter schools.
Entities that apply may apply as a partnership or consortium, and if so applying, must comply with the requirements for group applications set forth in 34 CFR 75.127-129.
The chart below provides the amount of CSP MDD funding per fiscal year (FY) since 2025.
| Fiscal Year (FY) | Funding for New Awards* | Funding for Continuation Awards* |
| FY 2025 | TBD | N/A |
*New Awards and Continuation Awards include supplemental and forward funding when applicable.
LEGISLATION
- Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 4301 - 4311 (20 U.S.C. 7221-7221j). PDF (485 KB)
- Charter School Program Assurances Grants to State Entities MS Word (31KB)
REGULATIONS
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR)
- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200)
- Uniform Guidance Technical Assistance for Grantees (Uniform Guidance TA)
GUIDANCE
Nonregulatory Guidance
- ESSA Flexibility Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (December 2017) PDF (190 KB)
- School Climate and Discipline Resources
- ESSA Flexibility Webinar Slides
- Dear Colleague Letter — ESSA flexibilities for CSP Grantees (November 2017) PDF (196 KB)
- Dear Colleague Letter — Guidance Regarding the Oversight of Charter Schools Program and Regulatory Requirements, Including the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (August 2016) PDF (226 KB)
- Dear Colleague Letter - Guidance and Federal Resources on Appropriate and Effective Oversight of Public Charter Schools. (September 2015) PDF (317 KB)
- Charter Schools Program Nonregulatory Guidance (updated January 2014) PDF (376 KB)
- CSP Guidance On the Use of Funds to Support Preschool Education (December 2014) PDF (211KB)
- Guidance Letter on Lottery Exemptions and Awards to Multiple Charter Schools Operating under a Single Charter (February 2008) PDF (1.4 MB)
Application Guidance
Notices Inviting Applications (NIAs) – CSP MDD Grants
For the most up-to-date information on this grant program and any future or current notices, please continue to check our website and search for current opportunities, and/or register for alerts for Grants.gov (search ALN 84.282).
The chart below contains information regarding the new grant awards made each for fiscal year (FY) since FY 2025.
| Fiscal Year (FY) | Number of new awards |
| FY 2025 | TBD |
Below is information regarding grantees under this program.
Awards Table Instructions: Please use the scroll bar at the bottom of the Awards tab to view the entire Awards table.
| Year Awarded | Grantee | Project Title | Duration (Years) | Amount available for Year 1 activities | Total Funding (for Year 1 and 2 Activities) | Total Expected Funding | City | State | Score | Abstract | Application | Reviewers' Comments |
| Funded FY 2025 Applications | ||||||||||||
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | |||