Small, Rural School Achievement Grant Program

Leslie Poynter
202.401.0039
reap@ed.gov

The Small, Rural School Achievement Grant Program provides funding for small, rural Local Education Agencies (LEAs) for initiatives aimed at improving student academic achievement.

Funded activities may fall under any of the following federal programs:

• Title I-A: Improving basic programs operated by LEAs
• Title II-A: Supporting effective instruction
• Title III: Language instruction for English learners and immigrant students
• Title IV- Part A and Part B: Student support, academic enrichment, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. The legislation includes funding for:
  • Drug prevention
  • Violence prevention
  • School-based mental health services
  • Trauma-informed classroom management practices
  • Nutrition education and physical activity programs
  • Programs that address chronic disease management
  • Bullying and harassment prevention
  • Suicide prevention
  • Other activities to support safe and healthy students

Eligible applicants are limited to local education agencies (LEAs).

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria for small, rural schools:

• The total number of students in average daily attendance at all of the schools served by the LEA is fewer than 600
• Each county in which a school served by the LEA is located has a total population density of fewer than 10 persons per square mile
• All of the schools served by the LEA are designated with a school locale code of 41, 42, or 43 by the National Center for Education Statistics
• The Secretary has determined, based on a demonstration by the LEA and concurrence of the State educational agency, that the LEA is located in an area defined as rural by a governmental agency of the State

Awards are made based on a formula depending on the number of eligible LEAs that apply and the amount appropriated by Congress for the program.

Estimated award ceiling: $60,000
Project period: 1 year
Estimated number of awards: 4,260
Estimated total program funding: $96,420,000

Eligible school districts will receive an email on February 9, 2022 with a unique application link and customized instructions for completing the electronic application, with a deadline of April 15, 2022.

Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov.