New Grant Application

2025 New, Replicating & Expanding GSC Competition

The application for the New, Replicating, and Expanding Charter Schools in Colorado is now open. This competition is open for six sub-grantees, up to $2 million each, for up to three years. The Charter School Program Grant is a federally supported grant intended to support the demand for alternatives to existing public school options in Colorado through the Great Schools Colorado project by supporting the creation of high-quality charter school seats in communities with interest in alternative models that better meet the needs of students. The program is designed with two main objectives: increase the number of high-quality charter school seats in Colorado and improve the overall quality of Colorado’s charter school sector across the state.

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Eligibility

To qualify for the CSP subgrant, applicants must meet the federal definition of a public charter school under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, Sec. 4310). Both the school and its authorizer must be public entities. Eligible applicants must also meet the federal definition of a “developer.”

Applicants must have an executed charter and be within 18 months of opening as of the subgrant award due date. Charter schools cannot have begun operations or grant-funded activities prior to applying. Planning period funds may be used for up to 18 months, and all grant activities must conclude by the end of the second year of implementation. Virtual and home-based schools are not eligible.

Applicants proposing expansion or replication must be classified as high-quality charter schools and provide documentation of academic success, financial audits, and school performance. High-quality schools must show strong academic results, including disaggregated achievement data and compliance with federal and state requirements.

A charter school may only receive one CSP subgrant within a five-year period, unless it can demonstrate at least three years of improved student outcomes and is seeking funds for new, distinct activities. The Colorado League of Charter Schools reviews all applications to ensure eligibility and alignment with federal CSP requirements. Additional details on applicant eligibility can be found in the RFA for New and High-Quality Expansion and Replication Schools.

Timeline

  • April 11, 2025: Great Schools Colorado-CSP Grant Informational Call | 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. (MDT)
  • April 11, 2025: Great Schools Colorado-CSP Grant Request for Application (RFA) and Materials Released | 9:30 a.m. (MDT)
  • April 11 - May 12, 2025: Application Process for New and High-Quality Expansion & Replication Schools | Due 5:00 p.m. (MDT)
  • April 16 - May 9, 2025 | Office Hours (by appointment) available Wednesdays & Fridays | Availability will vary
  • May 13-May 28, 2025: External Peer Review Process
  • June 2-6, 2025: Announce New and High-Quality Expansion & Replication Subgrant Awards (provisional) | 12:00 p.m. (MDT)
  • June 6-June 20, 2025: Required Changes & Budget Reconciliation Period | Final Approval Notifications will vary

Trainings

Notification Log

View a running log of all communications sent regarding this grant, including important updates and key information.

New Grant Notifications

 


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