What's New
On May 15, 2026, the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Labor (DOL) announced the Fiscal Year 2026 competition for the National Professional Development (NPD) program. ED and DOL plan to award approximately $49 million to eligible applicants to implement pre-service and in-service professional development activities intended to improve instruction for English learners (ELs) and assist education personnel working with ELs to meet high professional standards. For more information about these awards, visit the Awards tab.
Program Description
The National Professional Development program (NPD) program provides grants to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education (IHEs) and public and private entities with relevant experience and capacity, in consortia with State educational agencies (SEAs) and/or local educational agencies (LEAs) to implement pre-service and in-service professional development activities intended to improve instruction for English learners (ELs) and assist education personnel working with ELs to meet high professional standards. Grants from this program may be used to support professional development opportunities designed to enhance classroom instruction for ELs and help educational staff working with these students meet high professional standards, including requirements for certification and licensure for teachers in language instruction programs or those serving ELs. Funding can also be directed toward effective pre-service or in-service training programs that improve the qualifications and skills of educational personnel involved in educating ELs, including uncertified staff and educational paraprofessionals, as well as other initiatives aimed at boosting the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders in addressing the needs of ELs.
Funding
Included in the chart below is the amount of funding per fiscal year for new awards under the National Professional Development program (NPD) in recent years.
| Funding Year | Appropriation for New Awards |
| FY 2026 | $49,000,000 |
| FY 2024 | $59,374,147 |
| FY 2023 | $53,096,587 |
| FY 2022 | $51,687,543 |
| FY 2021 | $51,575,845 |
| FY 2020 | $50,925,095 |
| FY 2019 | $47,691,345 |
| FY 2018 | $45,691,345 |
| FY 2017 | $46,121,345 |
| FY 2016 | $45,148,489 |
Legislation
The National Professional Development (NPD) program was authorized by sections 3111(c)(1)(C) and 3131 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), the Department awards grants to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education (IHEs) and public and private entities with relevant experience and capacity, in consortia with State educational agencies (SEAs) and/or local educational agencies (LEAs) to implement pre-service and in-service professional development activities intended to improve instruction for English learners (ELs) and assist education personnel working with ELs to meet high professional standards. To download and read NPD's Authorizing legislation please visit Title III, Part A, Subpart 3 of the ESSA Law.
Eligibility
- Institutions of higher education (IHEs)
- Public or private entities with relevant experience and capacity, in consortia with State educational agencies (SEAs) or local educational agencies (LEAs).
Applicant Information
FY 2026 NPD Application Notice and Instructions
FY 2026 NPD Competition Timeline
- NPD Application Publish Date: May 15, 2026
- Intent to Apply: May 29, 2026 (Email Intents to Apply to NPD@ed.gov. Subject: Intent to Apply NPD FY26)
- Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 14, 2026 (11:59:59 PM EDT)
- Estimated Award Announcement: By September 30, 2026
Pre-Application Information Webinar
On Friday, May 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education held a pre-application webinar for the FY 2026 NPD competition. The presentation slides and video recording of the event are now available.
FY 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
Consult the Frequently Asked Questions for additional guidance. If you have further questions, please email NPD@ed.gov.
Electronic Applicant Submission
Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov system.
- Applicants are encouraged to download the NPD Application Notice and Instructions document and review it in its entirety. It contains information and instructions that will be helpful to you as you prepare to submit your NPD application.
- Use the following link to download and review the NPD Application Notice and Instructions.
Required Application Forms
The following ED-required forms are included in the electronic application package in Grants.gov. Below is a list of the required forms that must be completed and submitted at the time of application.
- ED Form 524 — Application for Federal Education Assistance (Form and Instructions)
- ED Grant Application Form for Project Objectives and Performance Measures Information — (Project Objective Form and Instructions)
- Standard Form LLL — Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
- Required Response to Section 427 of GEPA
- EED Budget Narrative Template (see Application Instructions)
Included below is information regardign new NPD grants made in recent years.
| Fiscal Year (FY) | Number of New Awards |
| FY 2024 | 13 |
| FY 2022 | 44 |
| FY 2021 | 50 |
| FY 2017 | 42 |
| FY 2016 | 9 |
View Full List of Grantees and Award Information by Fiscal Year Awarded
What's New
On May 15, 2026, the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Labor (DOL) announced the Fiscal Year 2026 competition for the National Professional Development (NPD) program. ED and DOL plan to award approximately $49 million to eligible applicants to implement pre-service and in-service professional development activities intended to improve instruction for English learners (ELs) and assist education personnel working with ELs to meet high professional standards. For more information about these awards, visit the Awards tab.
Program Description
The National Professional Development program (NPD) program provides grants to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education (IHEs) and public and private entities with relevant experience and capacity, in consortia with State educational agencies (SEAs) and/or local educational agencies (LEAs) to implement pre-service and in-service professional development activities intended to improve instruction for English learners (ELs) and assist education personnel working with ELs to meet high professional standards. Grants from this program may be used to support professional development opportunities designed to enhance classroom instruction for ELs and help educational staff working with these students meet high professional standards, including requirements for certification and licensure for teachers in language instruction programs or those serving ELs. Funding can also be directed toward effective pre-service or in-service training programs that improve the qualifications and skills of educational personnel involved in educating ELs, including uncertified staff and educational paraprofessionals, as well as other initiatives aimed at boosting the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders in addressing the needs of ELs.
Funding
Included in the chart below is the amount of funding per fiscal year for new awards under the National Professional Development program (NPD) in recent years.
| Funding Year | Appropriation for New Awards |
| FY 2026 | $49,000,000 |
| FY 2024 | $59,374,147 |
| FY 2023 | $53,096,587 |
| FY 2022 | $51,687,543 |
| FY 2021 | $51,575,845 |
| FY 2020 | $50,925,095 |
| FY 2019 | $47,691,345 |
| FY 2018 | $45,691,345 |
| FY 2017 | $46,121,345 |
| FY 2016 | $45,148,489 |
Legislation
The National Professional Development (NPD) program was authorized by sections 3111(c)(1)(C) and 3131 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), the Department awards grants to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education (IHEs) and public and private entities with relevant experience and capacity, in consortia with State educational agencies (SEAs) and/or local educational agencies (LEAs) to implement pre-service and in-service professional development activities intended to improve instruction for English learners (ELs) and assist education personnel working with ELs to meet high professional standards. To download and read NPD's Authorizing legislation please visit Title III, Part A, Subpart 3 of the ESSA Law.
Eligibility
- Institutions of higher education (IHEs)
- Public or private entities with relevant experience and capacity, in consortia with State educational agencies (SEAs) or local educational agencies (LEAs).
Applicant Information
FY 2026 NPD Application Notice and Instructions
FY 2026 NPD Competition Timeline
- NPD Application Publish Date: May 15, 2026
- Intent to Apply: May 29, 2026 (Email Intents to Apply to NPD@ed.gov. Subject: Intent to Apply NPD FY26)
- Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 14, 2026 (11:59:59 PM EDT)
- Estimated Award Announcement: By September 30, 2026
Pre-Application Information Webinar
On Friday, May 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education held a pre-application webinar for the FY 2026 NPD competition. The presentation slides and video recording of the event are now available.
FY 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
Consult the Frequently Asked Questions for additional guidance. If you have further questions, please email NPD@ed.gov.
Electronic Applicant Submission
Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov system.
- Applicants are encouraged to download the NPD Application Notice and Instructions document and review it in its entirety. It contains information and instructions that will be helpful to you as you prepare to submit your NPD application.
- Use the following link to download and review the NPD Application Notice and Instructions.
Required Application Forms
The following ED-required forms are included in the electronic application package in Grants.gov. Below is a list of the required forms that must be completed and submitted at the time of application.
- ED Form 524 — Application for Federal Education Assistance (Form and Instructions)
- ED Grant Application Form for Project Objectives and Performance Measures Information — (Project Objective Form and Instructions)
- Standard Form LLL — Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
- Required Response to Section 427 of GEPA
- EED Budget Narrative Template (see Application Instructions)
Included below is information regardign new NPD grants made in recent years.
| Fiscal Year (FY) | Number of New Awards |
| FY 2024 | 13 |
| FY 2022 | 44 |
| FY 2021 | 50 |
| FY 2017 | 42 |
| FY 2016 | 9 |
View Full List of Grantees and Award Information by Fiscal Year Awarded