Supporting Effective Educator Development 84.423A
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations seeking to support effective educator development and professional growth across elementary and secondary education. Eligible applicants typically include state education agencies, local education agencies (school districts), Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and charter school organizations. The program supports activities that strengthen teacher quality, professional development, mentoring, induction programs, and evidence-based educator support systems. Geographic scope is nationwide, with funding available to schools and districts serving diverse student populations. Applicants must demonstrate how proposed activities will improve educator effectiveness, student outcomes, or both.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
This grant is for organizations seeking to support effective educator development and professional growth across elementary and secondary education. Eligible applicants typically include state education agencies, local education agencies (school districts), Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and charter school organizations. The program supports activities that strengthen teacher quality, professional development, mentoring, induction programs, and evidence-based educator support systems. Geographic scope is nationwide, with funding available to schools and districts serving diverse student populations. Applicants must demonstrate how proposed activities will improve educator effectiveness, student outcomes, or both.
Program description
The Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The SEED program provides funding to increase the number of highly effective educators by supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices that prepare, develop, or enhance the skills of educators to improve student outcomes. These grants will allow eligible entities to develop, expand, and evaluate practices that can serve as models to be sustained and disseminated.Applicants can receive competitive preference points to projects or proposals endorsed by a Governor or chief State education official for purposes of implementing the project or proposal. Applicants can also receive competitive preference points for projects or proposals that are designed to responsibly advance artificial intelligence and/or prioritize and expand Registered Apprenticeships.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Charter School
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations seeking to support effective educator development and professional growth across elementary and secondary education. Eligible applicants typically include state education agencies, local education agencies (school districts), Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and charter school organizations. The program supports activities that strengthen teacher quality, professional development, mentoring, induction programs, and evidence-based educator support systems. Geographic scope is nationwide, with funding available to schools and districts serving diverse student populations. Applicants must demonstrate how proposed activities will improve educator effectiveness, student outcomes, or both.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement (required supplemental form)
- Project Narrative (addressing grant objectives, activities, and evaluation)
- Budget Narrative (detailed justification of all costs)
- Detailed Budget (SF-424A or equivalent budget form)
- Organizational capacity statement and resumes of key personnel
- Letters of commitment/support from school district and partner organizations
- Evaluation plan with measurable outcomes and timelines
- Data on current educator effectiveness and professional development needs
- Indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
- Assurances and Certifications forms
- Proof of organizational eligibility and tax-exempt status (for nonprofits)
Program contact
- 👤 Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
- 📧 orman.feres@ed.gov
- 📞 202-693-2606
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 84.423 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$16,543,805
-
$14,797,304
-
$14,252,797
-
$13,318,352
-
$11,812,741
-
$11,653,965
-
$11,414,098
-
$10,805,267
-
$10,578,813
-
$10,261,487
Top States by Funding
- CA 7 awards $52.7M
- GA 5 awards $38.8M
- NY 4 awards $27.1M
- SC 2 awards $25.4M
- VA 2 awards $24.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants typically include state departments of education, local school districts, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and charter school networks. Individual schools and private entities may apply through fiscally sponsored arrangements or as part of larger consortia.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is June 1, 2026. The application window opens April 16, 2026. Applicants should allow sufficient time for internal review and submit well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
What types of activities and programs are supported?
This grant supports educator development initiatives including professional development programs, teacher mentoring and induction, instructional coaching, leadership development, evidence-based teaching practices, and systemic improvements to educator quality and effectiveness.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a highly competitive federal grant program. Success typically requires strong alignment with agency priorities, demonstrated need data, clear evidence-based approaches, realistic budgets, and strong organizational capacity for implementation and evaluation.
What is the typical funding range?
Grant amounts vary but typically range from $500,000 to several million dollars depending on project scope and applicant type. Consult the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for specific funding limits and award amounts.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Thoroughly review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and any supplemental guidance from the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, as these documents contain critical details on priorities, allowable activities, and evaluation requirements.
- Build a strong partnership ecosystem: include school district collaborators, teachers, higher education partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Demonstrate that your team has the expertise to execute educator development work effectively.
- Use data strategically: include baseline data on current educator effectiveness, professional development gaps, and student outcomes. Show how your proposed activities will address identified needs and produce measurable improvements.
- Ground your proposal in evidence: cite peer-reviewed research supporting your professional development model, instructional approaches, or teacher support systems. Avoid unproven or anecdotal claims about educator effectiveness.
- Create a detailed evaluation plan: specify how you will measure educator quality improvements, implementation fidelity, participant satisfaction, and ultimately, impact on student learning. Ensure evaluation timelines align with grant period and reporting requirements.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications frequently fail when organizations propose generic professional development without evidence of effectiveness, lack clear metrics for measuring educator quality improvements, or underestimate the complexity of implementing systemic change in schools. Many applicants also submit weak evaluation plans that fail to connect educator development activities to student outcomes, or present partnerships that appear superficial rather than demonstrating genuine collaboration and shared commitment.
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