2025–26 After School Education and Safety grant program (Round 2)
🏛 CA Department of Education (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Nov 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California entities implementing tire-derived aggregate (TDA) projects. Eligible applicants include local governments, special districts, public school districts, state agencies, UC/CSU/community colleges, for-profit businesses with California operations, nonprofits (501(c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(6), (c)(10)), and Qualifying Tribal Entities. Projects must fall into one of five categories: mechanically stabilized retaining walls, low-impact stormwater development, lightweight fill and slope stabilization, rail vibration mitigation, or landfill applications. Applications are limited to California-based entities or those with operational presence in the state.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program is the result of the 2002 voter-approved initiative, Proposition 49. These programs are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment and safe, constructive alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth grade. Funding is designed to: (1) maintain existing before and after school program funding; and (2) provide eligibility to all elementary and middle schools that submit quality applications throughout California. This is round 2 of the 2025-26 ASES Request for Applications.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Completed application form
- Project description and TDA category classification
- Budget and itemized cost breakdown
- Site plans or engineering drawings
- Organizational eligibility documentation
- Proof of California operational presence (if applicable)
Program contact
- 📧 ExpandedLearning@cde.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-319-0923
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 58 | 36 | 62% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
California local governments, state agencies, public schools, nonprofits, for-profit businesses with California operations, and Qualifying Tribal Entities. Private K-12 schools and nonprofits without 501(c) status are not eligible.
What projects are funded?
Projects using tire-derived aggregate for retaining walls, stormwater management, slope stabilization, rail vibration mitigation, or landfill applications. The TDA must serve a functional purpose in civil engineering or environmental work.
When is the deadline?
Applications are due July 17, 2025. This is a single, firm deadline with no rolling acceptance periods.
What is the typical award amount?
Individual awards up to $375,000 are available. Total program funding is $750,000, supporting multiple projects.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing or matching funds are required. This is a 100% grant program.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly describe how your project uses TDA and which category it falls into. Vague or misaligned projects score poorly.
- Get explicit authorization from your organization's leadership before applying. Government entities need board approval.
- Budget accurately and realistically. Overstated costs or padding raises red flags during review.
- Explain environmental or community benefits alongside the engineering function. CalRecycle prioritizes sustainability outcomes.
- Provide detailed specifications and site plans showing exactly where TDA will be used and why it's superior to alternatives.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Misclassifying projects into wrong TDA categories or proposing work where TDA serves no clear functional role. Submitting incomplete or vague descriptions of how TDA will be incorporated into the project. Failing to demonstrate applicant eligibility or California operational presence for for-profit entities.
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