2026-2027
Arkansas Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant
Application
GRANT INFORMATION
The Arkansas
Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
(ADE-DESE) is pleased to announce the release of a Request for Application
(RFP) for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)
competitive grant program.
Pending federal
funding availability, the 2026-27 Cohort will be awarded a 3-year grant
to support the creation or expansion of community learning centers that provide
academic enrichment during non-school hours for students, particularly students
who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. Funded program supports
students to meet state and local academic standards in core subject areas,
including reading, literacy, mathematics, and science; provides a broad array
of enrichment activities that can complement the regular academic program; and
offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating
students.
Approved applications
will be awarded $200,000 for the first year. Additional information regarding
award amounts, program expectations, and reporting requirements is available in
the Grant Guidance. Pending federal funding
availability, programs remaining in good standing will be provided funding for
the full 3-year grant period (Summer 2026 - Spring 2029).
REQUIREMENTS
Interested applicants
must complete the Intent-to-Apply form. Applicants are
required to submit their Intent-to-Apply between February 20, 2026, and March
6, 2026.
(Note:
A Gmail account is required to submit the Intent-to-Apply and the application.)
ADE-DESE will notify
applicants of approval or denial of the Intent- to-Apply. Applicants with an
approved Intent-to-Apply will receive a link to access the application.
Applicants must create a copy of the application to complete. Upon completion,
the application link and other required documents must be submitted using the
unique form provided in the approval email.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Grant Applications
must be submitted through the online platform no later than April 13,
2026, to be considered for eligibility. All sections of the grant must
be completed and achieve an overall grant rating of “Meets Standard” to be
considered for funding.
Applicants are
encouraged to review the Grant Guidance and other resources listed
below while completing the application. The ADE-DESE 21st CCLC Program Office
will provide virtual technical assistance (TA) meetings to support potential
applicants in understanding program guidance and expectations. The virtual TA
sessions will be held on the following dates:.
February 23, 2026 -
Zoom Link - Grant Overview Focus
February 27, 2026 -
Zoom Link - Application Focus
March 6, 2026 - Zoom
Link - Application Focus
March 13, 2026 - Zoom
Link - Application Submission Focus
Application
Timeline
February 20, 2026 - Intent to Apply and
Application Released
March 6, 2026 - Final Date to submit an Intent
to Apply
April
13, 2026 - 21st CCLC Applications are Due by 11:59 PM CST
April 15, 2026 - Applications Dispersed to
Reviewers
May 1, 2026 - Application Scores and Comments
Due
May 8, 2026 - Awarded Grantees Notified
Resources for
Application Completion:
All applications
receiving an overall rating of “Meets Standard” (click here for the
rubric) will
advance to the priority review phase. Priority points will be awarded based on
the criteria below. Detailed information is provided within the application.
|
Priority Points (awarded by ADE-DESE)
|
Possible Points
|
|
This application is for a
program that has never received 21st CCLC funding
|
10 points
|
|
This application is for a
program located in a county with no 21st CCLC programs. (MAP)
|
10 Points
|
|
This application is for a
program that has no other 21st CCLC program within a 30-mile radius (MAP)
|
10 points
|
|
This application is a Joint
Application between an LEA and Community Based Organization
|
5 points
|
|
This application is for a
program for a School-Wide Title-1 School
|
5 points
|
|
This application describes how
evidence-based practices will be used to increase student attendance and
intellectual engagement with a focus on literacy improvement.
|
5 Points
|
|
This application provides
programming for the summer (a minimum of 64 hours)
|
5 Points
|
|
Possible Priority Points
Available
|
50
points
|
|
|
|
|
Negative Priority Points (awarded by ADE-DESE)
|
Possible Points
|
|
This application is for a
previously awarded site that did not meet the monthly and yearly required
fiscal, programmatic, and program data requirements on time and in an
accurate manner.
(Negative points will be applied
to the applicant who meets this criterion)
|
-
15 Points
|
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
All applicants
must provide documentation of a Public Notice issued to the community for the
targeted school site.
All awarded
applicants are required to have a representative attend both of the following
in-person events:
- New 21st CCLC Programs 2-Day Training
May 26-27, 2026 - Little Rock, AR
- Summer 21st CCLC 2-Day Institute
June 10-11, 2026 - Hot Springs, AR.
Funded programs must
begin services no later than October 1, 2026. Grant Funds may be
expended beginning May 10, 2026.
Attachments:
Intent-to-Apply Form
Grant Guidance
Application Submission Link
Application Rubric