The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is seeking applications for its Interdistrict Cooperative Grant Program.
Donor Name: Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE)
State: Connecticut
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/23/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The purpose of the Interdistrict Cooperative Grant Program to maintain a competitive grant program for the assisting local and regional boards of education, regional educational service centers and nonsectarian, nonprofit organizations with the establishment of interdistrict cooperative programs that increase student achievement and reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation.
The CSDE is seeking applicants to establish interdistrict cooperative grant programs. In determining whether an application will be approved and funds awarded, the CSDE shall consider the following factors as well as other factors as set forth in this request for applications:
- Whether the Program is Likely to Reduce Racial, Ethnic and Economic Isolation – activities and programs that are significant, meaningful, well-articulated and based on sound research that will reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation;
- Whether the Program is Likely to Increase Academic Achievement– programs that are aligned with current Connecticut Standards and frameworks in K-12 English Language Arts, Science and Mathematics, with academically sound enrichment activities as a significant component. Programs and activities must be designed to lead to observable and measurable improvement in student learning and academic achievement;
- The Specific Objectives and Description of the Program – a clearly defined description of the elements of the proposed interdistrict cooperative grant program including clearly defined objectives;
- The Cost of the Program – provide a budget breakdown that supports the overall cost of the program (up to $100,000);
- Interdistrict Opportunities through Numbers of School Districts and Students that Will Benefit – interdistrict opportunities for students to engage with students from other towns, cultures and backgrounds. The Commissioner shall not award a grant for a program, other than a lighthouse school, in which more than 80 percent of the students are from one school district; and
- Relative wealth of the participating school districts – Percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Funding Information
This is a competitive grant program. One application shall be allowed per applicant with an award request up to $100,000.
Project Period
The CSDE shall award grants annually. The award for the grant period in this application shall begin on July 1, 2026, and conclude on June 30, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
The CSDE shall base its grant awards on the strength of the project proposal in meeting the six critical factors detailed under “Purpose and Background.” The CSDE also reserves the right not to award all grants, to negotiate specific grant amounts, and to select certain grantees, regardless of points awarded, as part of the evaluation process to meet the Connecticut State Board of Education’s (CSBE) priorities. The IDCG provides state funding to local and regional school districts, RESCs, and nonsectarian, nonprofit organizations approved by the Commissioner of Education. Based on the statutory requirements, the IDCG requires one of the following to be funded under the grant:
- the participation of two or more local or regional school districts;
- a RESC solely or pursuant to a cooperative arrangement with one or more local or regional boards of education; or
- a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization approved by the Commissioner of Education serving two or more local or regional school districts, that together provide a program to a diverse student body, or in the case of a lighthouse school, by a local or regional board of education or RESC
Such programs, for local and regional boards of education and RESCs, may include programs funded pursuant to C.G.S. Section 10-266bb and interdistrict magnet school programs that meet the following criteria:
- must be conducted at the magnet school;
- must serve primarily children who are not enrolled in the magnet school; and
- cannot be programs for which a local or regional board of education or a RESC receives funds pursuant to Sections
For more information, visit CSDE.
