National Professional Development Program
🏛 Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (DOL-OESE)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 14, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations that provide professional development and training to educators in elementary and secondary schools. Applicants typically include state education agencies, school districts, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and regional educational service centers. The program supports activities that improve teacher quality, leadership development, and evidence-based instructional practices across the country. Geographic scope is nationwide, and funding supports the design, development, and delivery of professional development programs that align with state and local education standards and priorities.
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Program description
The NPD program provides grants to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education (IHEs) and public and private entities with relevant experience and capacity, in consortia with State educational agencies (SEAs) and/or local educational agencies (LEAs) to implement pre-service and in-service professional development activities.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Statement of Need (describing the professional development program and target audience)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity Statement (staff qualifications, experience)
- Letters of Commitment/Partnership from schools, districts, or collaborating organizations
- Evaluation Plan (methodology for measuring outcomes and effectiveness)
- Timeline and work plan
- Evidence of nonprofit status (501(c)(3) determination letter, if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
- 📧 cynthia.hunter@ed.gov
- 📞 202-693-2606
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 84.365 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$161,156,417
-
$158,425,581
-
$152,386,811
-
$140,563,951
-
$140,174,779
-
$138,907,842
-
$126,693,344
-
$125,949,559
-
$65,939,522
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$65,687,554
Top States by Funding
- TX 5 awards $672.3M
- CA 3 awards $472.0M
- NY 6 awards $366.0M
- FL 3 awards $171.8M
- IL 6 awards $167.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 84.365). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $681,021,655 | |
| 2019 | $681,021,655 | |
| 2020 | $727,537,905 | |
| 2021 | $736,841,155 | |
| 2022 | $768,472,205 | |
| 2023 | $822,989,250 | |
| 2024 est. | $822,989,250 | |
| 2025 est. | $855,476,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Typically state education agencies, school districts, colleges and universities, nonprofit educational organizations, and regional educational service providers can apply. Check the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed eligibility requirements.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is July 14, 2026. Applications open on May 15, 2026. Submit all materials through Grants.gov before the deadline.
What activities and programs are supported?
The program funds professional development activities including teacher training, leadership development, instructional coaching, curriculum implementation, and evidence-based teaching practices that improve student outcomes.
How competitive is this funding?
Federal education grants are typically moderately to highly competitive. Success depends on strong evidence of need, clear outcomes, alignment with state priorities, and demonstrated capacity to implement programs effectively.
What is the typical funding range?
Award amounts vary by program and application type, but typically range from $100,000 to $500,000 or more annually, depending on the scope of the project and number of schools/teachers served.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your professional development program with state education standards, assessments, and strategic priorities to strengthen competitiveness and demonstrate relevance.
- Include strong partnerships with schools, districts, and institutions of higher education to show broad buy-in and improve implementation capacity.
- Use data to demonstrate current gaps in teacher quality, instructional practices, or student outcomes that your program will address.
- Include measurable outcomes, evaluation plans, and clear metrics for assessing improvements in teaching and student achievement.
- Budget realistically and include personnel costs (trainers, coaches), materials, technology, and sustainability planning beyond the grant period.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail due to weak evidence that the professional development program is based on research and will actually improve student outcomes. Another common issue is failing to secure meaningful buy-in and partnerships with schools and districts, making implementation unrealistic. Finally, many applicants underestimate the time and cost required for quality professional development delivery and follow-up support, resulting in budget and timeline credibility problems.
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