2023 Presidential and Congressional Academies for American History and Civics Program

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for 2023 for the Presidential and Congressional Academies for American History and Civics (Academies) Program.

Donor Name: Department of Education

State: All States

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 05/30/2023

Size of the Grant: $1,000,000

Grant Duration: 60 months

Details:

Purpose

The Academies Program supports the establishment of (1) Presidential Academies for the Teaching of American History and Civics that offer workshops for both veteran and new teachers to strengthen their knowledge of American history, civics, and government education (Presidential Academies); and (2) Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics that provide high school students opportunities to enrich their understanding of these subjects (Congressional Academies).

Priorities

This notice contains two absolute priorities, two competitive preference priorities, and one invitational priority.

Absolute Priorities: For 2023 and any subsequent year in which they make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are absolute priorities.

• The Priorities are:
  • Absolute Priority 1—Presidential Academies for the Teaching of American History and Civics.
  • Under this priority, an applicant must propose to establish a Presidential Academy that offers a seminar or institute for teachers of American history and civics, which—
    • Provides intensive professional development opportunities for teachers of American history and civics to strengthen such teachers’ knowledge of the subjects of American history and civics;
    • Is led by a team of primary scholars and core teachers who are accomplished in the field of American history and civics;
    • Is conducted during the summer or other appropriate time; and
    • Is of not less than 2 weeks and not more than 6 weeks in duration.
  • Absolute Priority 2—Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics.
  • Under this priority, an applicant must propose to establish a seminar or institute for outstanding students of American history and civics, which—
    • Broadens and deepens such students’ understanding of American history and civics;
    • Is led by a team of primary scholars and core teachers who are accomplished in the field of American history and civics;
    • Is conducted during the summer or other appropriate time; and
    • Is of not less than 2 weeks and not more than 6 weeks in duration.

Competitive Preference Priorities: For 2023 and any subsequent year in which they make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference priorities.

• These priorities are:
  • Competitive Preference Priority 1— Using the Resources of the National Parks.
    • Applicants that propose to develop innovative and comprehensive programs using the resources of the National Parks, including, to the extent practicable, through coordination or alignment of activities with the National Park Service National Centennial Parks initiative.
  • Competitive Preference Priority 2— Promoting Equity in Student Access to Educational Resources and Opportunities.
  • Under this priority, and applicant must demonstrate that the applicant proposes a project designed to promote educational equity and adequacy in resources and opportunity for underserved students—
    • in one or more of the following educational settings:
      • Early learning programs.
      • Elementary school.
      • Middle school.
      • High school.
      • Career and technical education programs.
      • Out-of-school time settings.
      • Alternative schools and programs.
      • Juvenile justice system or correctional facilities.

Invitational Priority: For 2023 and any subsequent year in which they make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is an invitational priority.

• This priority is:
  • Projects that describe how they will foster critical thinking and promote student engagement in civics education through professional development and/ or student-facing projects involving media literacy, digital citizenship, or other activities designed to support students in—
    • Evaluating sources and evidence using standards of proof;
    • Understanding their own biases when reviewing information, as well as uncovering and recognizing bias in primary and secondary sources;
    • Synthesizing information into cogent communications; and
    • Understanding how inaccurate information may be used to influence individuals and developing strategies to recognize accurate and inaccurate information.

Funding Information

• Estimated Available Funds: $2,975,000
• Estimated Range of Awards: $300,000–$1,000,000 per year
• Estimated Average Size of Awards: $650,000 per year
• Maximum Award: They will not make an award exceeding $1,000,000 to any applicant per 12-month budget period.
• Period of Performance: Up to 60 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education

For more information, visit Grants.gov.