Computer Science Teacher Credential Grant

The Computer Science Teacher Credential Grant is administered by the Georgia Department of Education through its Office of Teaching and Learning. The program supports Georgia's implementation of O.C.G.A. 20-2-149.3, which requires middle schools to offer computer science instruction and high schools to offer a computer science course. The grant is intended to broaden participation in K-12 computer science education and strengthen the capacity of Georgia school systems to provide students with access and opportunities to participate in computer science experiences. GaDOE states that it is working to eliminate barriers and build capacity for computer science education throughout the state. A maximum of $150,000 is available for the program, and the maximum award is $15,000 per district. Each system is eligible for only one discretionary grant. Districts and schools may combine their grant funds to create a more comprehensive approach to enhancing teacher capacity. Grant funds must be used exclusively for computer science teacher certification, computer science teacher endorsement programs, or professional development that enhances teachers' capacity to provide computer science instruction. One hundred percent of grant expenditures must focus on building teacher capacity through teacher professional development and training, certifications, and/or endorsements. The RFA does not state a required cost share or matching contribution. Eligible applicants include Local Education Agencies, consortia of LEAs, local charter schools, state charter schools, and partnerships between an LEA and a high-quality professional learning provider. Priority will be given to systems that have a Computer Science Implementation Plan and have identified teachers for training. Federally identified schools and systems serving highly impoverished and/or rural communities will also receive priority. Districts receiving awards must make trained teachers available to train other teachers within the LEA following implementation of grant activities and must submit a final report after services are completed. Applications must be submitted online using the CSTC Grant Application Link identified in the RFA. Faxed, emailed, and paper proposals are not accepted. Only one submission may be made per school system. A complete submission consists of the Grant Application Form and the Signature Form uploaded within the application form. Supplemental or revised proposal formats, attachments, or information from the applicant or other sources will not be accepted. Applicants with accessibility needs may contact Lavita Williams at lavita.williams@doe.k12.ga.us for accommodations and assistance. Applications are reviewed and scored by GaDOE-approved and trained reviewers using a scoring rubric based on eligibility, completeness, responsiveness to the RFA, merit, federal indicators of need, and special considerations such as satisfactory completion of previous grants, including spending and reporting. Reviewers assign numerical scores and comments, and the grant review team meets to determine consensus. Awards are made to applicants with the highest scores. Award recipients must participate in an orientation meeting concerning program goals, objectives, implementation procedures, progress, and programmatic success and effectiveness. Budget expenditures must be limited to items approved in the Consolidated Application budget, and GaDOE approval is required before budget amendments. Travel, including meals and lodging, is reimbursed according to applicable state rates and per diem. The application was released August 3, 2026. The RFA overview and the Timeline of Activities state that applications close October 2, 2026 at 5 p.m.; however, the Applicant Guidance section on page 7 states October 3, 2026 at 5 p.m. Because October 2 is stated in both the overview and formal timeline, that date is used for structured entry while the conflicting October 3 date should be verified with GaDOE before relying on the deadline. Grant selection is scheduled for October 16, 2026, and State Board of Education approval of award allocations is scheduled for November 4-5, 2026. Grantees are expected to receive Grant Award Notifications and gain access to funds through ConApp in November 2026. Awards are not final until SBOE approval and issuance of the official GAN, and grantees may not obligate funds before receiving it. The grant period of performance begins in November 2026 and ends in October 2027, although all funds must be invoiced by June 30, 2027. Funds expire June 30, 2027, and the grant close-out in ConApp is due July 30, 2027. Grantees must submit required completion and detailed expenditure reports through Grants Accounting Online Reporting with supporting documentation for received goods and services. Fiscal monitoring includes tracking grant budget accounting codes in GAORS and completing budget approvals and drawdowns through the district's Consolidated Application and GAORS. Impact monitoring requires the grant application to identify project goals and specify how success will be measured. The RFA does not state that this opportunity recurs annually or on another regular cycle. The named program contact is Lavita Williams, Lead Computer Science Program Specialist, at lavita.williams@doe.k12.ga.us.

Submit early to allow for technical delays; use only the provided CSTC Grant Application process because supplemental or revised materials are not accepted; systems with a Computer Science Implementation Plan and identified teachers for training receive priority; federally identified schools and systems serving highly impoverished and/or rural communities receive priority; ensure eligibility, completeness, responsiveness, merit, indicators of need, and satisfactory prior grant spending and reporting are clearly addressed.