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2025-26 Start-Up Subgrant – Planning, Implementation, Replication, and Expansion

Grantor:
CA Department of Education
Departmental Grant ID:
6545
Portal ID:
151026
Status:
Active
Opportunity Type:
  • Grant
Last Updated:
 | 
Categories:

Details

Purpose:

States that are awarded these federal funds distribute them in subgrants to charter school developers, known as Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP) Start-Up Subgrants in the state of California, to assist in the development and initial operations of newly established or conversion charter schools as well as to assist in the expansion and replication of high-quality charter schools.

Description:

PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants identify funding levels and terms into four subgrant types: Planning, Implementation, Replication, and Expansion. The actual number and type of subgrants awarded during each Request for Application (RFA) competition may vary based on demand. If all authorized awards are not approved for funding, the CDE may open additional RFA competition events for new applicants until all of the allocated funds have been awarded.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

  • Nonprofit
  • Public Agency

A newly established or conversion classroom-based charter school may be eligible for a Planning, Replication or Implementation subgrant, provided that the school did not begin serving students prior to July 1, 2024. An established charter school may be eligible for an Expansion subgrant, provided that the school is significantly increasing enrollment or adding one or more grades. 

Eligible Geographies:

Supplemental funding has been structured to encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods pursuant to state law, provide parents/guardians and students with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system pursuant to state law, and provide additional support for targeted student groups and high-cost programs.

Important Dates

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight.
The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.
February 2, 2026
The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized.
up to 36 months

Funding Details

The total projected dollar amount of the grant.
$20,235,923
A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards. Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
$300,000 – $1,900,000
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent.
No
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.
No
The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number.
  • Federal

Funding Source Notes:

The PCSGP is a subgrant program funded by the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP), authorized under Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (20 United States Code [U.S.C.] 7221–7221j.

The manner in which the grant funding will be delivered to the awardee. Funding methods include reimbursements (where the recipient spends out-of-pocket and is reimbursed by the grantor) and advances (where the recipient spends received grant funds directly).
  • Reimbursement(s)

Funding Method Notes:

Planning, Implementation, Replication, and Expansion subgrant awards have varying base award amounts. Supplemental funding may be available based on the applicant meeting specified criteria which may impact the charter school’s start-up funding needs. 

How to Apply

State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying.

Resources

For questions about this grant, contact:
PCSGP Office, 1-916-322-6029, PCSGP@cde.ca.gov

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