Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, Cohort 22, is a federally funded initiative administered by the New Jersey Department of Education to support the development and expansion of out-of-school time programs. These programs are designed to provide academic enrichment opportunities for students, particularly those attending low-performing schools or identified as at risk of academic failure, disengagement, or involvement in delinquent activities. The program is funded under Title IV, Part B of the Every Student Succeeds Act and represents a strategic effort to strengthen educational outcomes through structured before-school, after-school, and summer programming. The primary purpose of this grant is to establish or enhance community learning centers that deliver a combination of academic support and enrichment activities. These include tutoring services aligned with state academic standards, as well as broader programming such as youth development, arts, physical fitness, STEM education, career readiness, financial literacy, and environmental education. A key component of the program is also to engage families by offering opportunities for literacy development and meaningful participation in their children’s education, thereby reinforcing the connection between school, family, and community. The program is structured as a multi-year grant opportunity with an initial one-year funding period from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, and the possibility of continuation funding for up to five years based on performance, compliance, and availability of federal funds. Awards are issued annually, and grantees must submit continuation applications each year. Funding decisions are contingent upon program performance, including adherence to reporting requirements, effective use of funds, and demonstrated impact through evaluation metrics and monitoring processes. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as local education agencies, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, institutions of higher education, charter schools, government agencies, faith-based organizations, for-profit entities, and tribal organizations. Applicants may also apply as part of a consortium. However, eligibility is limited to organizations serving students in grades three through twelve, particularly those attending schools identified for targeted or comprehensive support or with a significant population of economically disadvantaged students. The application process requires submission through the New Jersey Department of Education’s Electronic Web-Enabled Grant system. Applicants must complete a comprehensive application that includes narrative sections addressing program need, design, goals, evaluation strategies, and organizational capacity, as well as a detailed budget and required supporting documentation. Applications are reviewed through a two-tiered process involving external evaluators and program office staff, with scoring based on defined criteria such as need, project design, capacity, and budget alignment. The total funding available for this cohort is approximately $3,000,000, with an anticipated eight awards. Individual award amounts vary based on the number of students served, with maximum annual funding ranging up to $600,000. There is no matching requirement for this program. The application deadline is July 8, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances. Evaluation of applications includes a scoring system out of 100 points, with a minimum threshold of 70 points required for funding consideration. Additional priority points may be awarded for specific criteria such as serving underserved populations or geographic equity. Successful applicants are expected to implement high-quality programming aligned with state standards, maintain partnerships with schools and community organizations, and demonstrate continuous improvement through data-driven evaluation and reporting.

Ensure alignment between project design and state goals; provide strong data-driven need justification; submit complete documentation to avoid disqualification