Advanced Placement Teacher Institutes Grant Program

The Advanced Placement Teacher Institutes grant program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Education through its Office of Assessment and Standards and is funded by the South Carolina General Assembly under the Education Improvement Act of 1984. The program is designed to support professional development for educators by providing funding to institutions that deliver Advanced Placement training courses. These institutes are a key mechanism for ensuring that teachers meet state regulatory requirements for AP course instruction and are equipped with the necessary content knowledge and pedagogical strategies. The primary purpose of the program is to enable South Carolina public school teachers to obtain the required Advanced Placement endorsement to teach AP courses, as mandated by state regulation. The institutes must provide initial training for newly assigned AP teachers and must align with College Board requirements. The program emphasizes rigorous content instruction, alignment with AP curriculum standards, and the use of effective teaching strategies that prepare students for AP coursework and examinations. Funding for the program totals approximately 190000 dollars, with an anticipated ten awards. Award amounts are not fixed and are determined based on the quality of submitted applications and the total funding requested. Funds may be used for allowable costs such as instructional salaries, supplies, and non-participant travel, but restrictions apply. For example, funds cannot be used for participant travel, room and board, or equipment exceeding specified thresholds. Additionally, indirect costs are not permitted, and all expenditures must align strictly with approved budgets and authorized activities. Eligible applicants include South Carolina public or private institutions of higher education and school districts, provided that districts partner with an institution of higher education through a formal agreement. Applicants must secure College Board endorsement for their proposed institutes prior to submission, ensuring that courses meet national AP standards. Faculty delivering instruction must meet specific qualifications, including experience as College Board consultants or AP educators, and institutes must meet minimum instructional hour requirements. The application process requires submission through an online system and includes multiple components such as a project narrative, institute-specific narratives, budget documentation, evaluation plans, and supporting attachments. Applications must be complete and adhere to strict formatting and submission guidelines. The review process involves evaluation by independent reviewers who assess applications based on project quality, organizational capacity, and alignment with program goals, using a structured scoring rubric. The application deadline for this funding cycle is January 23, 2026, with awards expected to be announced in March 2026. The project period runs from March 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, and final reporting is due by August 17, 2026. A pre-application technical assistance session was held on December 17, 2025, and applicants may request access to the recording. Program contacts are available for both content and administrative inquiries, providing support throughout the application and implementation process. Overall, the Advanced Placement Teacher Institutes program represents a targeted investment in educator capacity, ensuring that teachers are properly trained to deliver rigorous AP instruction and ultimately improving student readiness for college-level coursework. The structured requirements, evaluation processes, and alignment with College Board standards ensure consistency, quality, and accountability across funded institutes.

Ensure full alignment with College Board standards; provide detailed and justified budget; submit complete application with all required attachments; meet formatting and submission rules strictly