Grants Available to Improve Education for English Learners

You might care about this because the Department of Education and the Department of Labor have announced a new grant opportunity. This is for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Professional Development (NPD) program. The program aims to provide funding to organizations that can help improve education for English learners. These grants will support professional training for teachers and other staff who work with English learners. The main goal is to help these educators meet high professional standards. To be eligible, applicants must be institutions of higher education or other experienced public or private groups. They need to partner with state or local education agencies. The maximum award for these grants is $1,000,000 per year. The competition has specific priorities. The absolute priority is providing professional development to improve instruction for English learners. Other priorities include promoting evidence-based literacy and focusing on returning education decisions to the states. There is also an invitational priority for developing collaborative ways to measure teacher practices that enhance student outcomes. Applications are due by July 14, 2026, and can be found on Grants.gov, ED's website, and DOL's website. This notice outlines all the necessary details for applying for these funds. What is particularly interesting about this notice is the joint effort by two major federal departments: Education and Labor. This cooperation shows a coordinated approach to an important educational need, which is improving outcomes for English learners. The strong focus on professional development is also noteworthy. It acknowledges that providing educators with better skills directly helps students learn more effectively. The inclusion of specific priorities, such as promoting evidence-based literacy and giving states more control over education, highlights current policy directions. The grant structure allows for a substantial annual award of up to $1,000,000. This amount could fund significant and impactful programs. The requirement for partnerships between different types of organizations, like universities and local school districts, encourages a broad and collaborative approach to solving educational challenges. This notice serves as a direct invitation for organizations to participate in national education improvement. It clearly indicates where federal resources are being directed for language education initiatives. Anyone involved in education, especially those focused on language instruction, would find this document highly relevant. This includes universities and colleges that train teachers and provide professional development programs. It also includes public and private groups that specialize in educational programs or teacher training for diverse student populations. State and local educational agencies, such as school districts and regional education service centers, are direct targets for forming partnerships. Teachers and administrators who work with English learners daily will certainly want to know about these potential resources to enhance their skills and programs. Education policy researchers might be interested in the priorities listed, as they reflect current federal goals for improving literacy and giving states more say in education. Non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting diverse student populations could also find significant opportunities here. In short, any entity or individual invested in improving the academic success and educational experience of English learners should review this notice carefully for potential funding and collaboration.