Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program

The Texas Education Agency administers the Texas ACE program, which operates under the federal Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act. This program is funded through the U.S. Department of Education and implemented at the state level to provide subgrants to eligible organizations across Texas. The agency serves as a pass-through entity, awarding funds to school districts, charter schools, education service centers, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other qualified entities to deliver out-of-school-time programming. The purpose of this grant program is to establish or expand community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours, particularly for students attending high-poverty and low-performing schools. These centers are designed to improve student achievement in core subjects such as reading and mathematics while also offering a wide array of enrichment activities, including STEM, arts, health and wellness, career readiness, and youth development programming. The program also emphasizes family engagement by providing literacy and educational services to the families of participating students. Funding for this opportunity is projected at approximately fifty-two million dollars in total program funding, with individual awards anticipated to range from one hundred fifty thousand dollars to two million dollars per year. The grant operates on a five-year cycle, with continuation funding contingent upon annual performance, compliance, and federal appropriations. Funds must be used to supplement, not supplant, existing services, and administrative costs are limited, with strict caps on direct and indirect expenditures. Allowable uses include staffing, instructional materials, transportation, program supplies, and contracted services that support program delivery, while unallowable costs include grant writing, program income generation, and activities unrelated to program objectives. Eligible applicants include a broad range of public and private entities such as local educational agencies, charter schools, education service centers, nonprofit and community-based organizations, tribal organizations, and institutions of higher education. Applicants may also apply as part of a consortium or partnership. However, eligibility is restricted for entities that have failed to complete prior grant cycles or were deemed ineligible in earlier program years. Applications must propose services for campuses with at least forty percent economically disadvantaged students and must meet specific eligibility criteria related to Title I designation and program participation history. The application process is conducted through the TEA eGrants system and requires submission of a comprehensive narrative addressing program design, needs assessment, SMART goals, evaluation strategies, and budget planning. Required components include program plans, assurances, narrative responses, and multiple attachments such as strategic plans, per-pupil allocation tables, and documentation of nonprofit status if applicable. Applications are reviewed through a competitive process involving peer review scoring, priority point consideration, and geographic distribution to ensure equitable funding across regions. The timeline for this grant includes an application opening in November, a notice of intent to apply due in December, and a final application deadline of February 17, 2026. The review process extends through July, with anticipated award announcements around July 1, 2026, and project implementation beginning September 1, 2026. Programs must begin delivering services by early October and continue through the grant period ending August 31, 2027 for the first year. This grant is part of a recurring federal program with future cycles expected, contingent on continued federal funding and appropriations.

Focus on strong needs assessment data alignment with school day programming measurable SMART goals and clear partnership structures to improve scoring