21st Century California School Leadership Academy, Cohort 3

The 21st Century California School Leadership Academy Cohort 3 Regional Academy grant is administered by the California Department of Education through its Professional Learning Support Division. This initiative originates from California Education Code 44690 and is funded through Title II, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The program is designed to strengthen leadership capacity across California’s public education system by supporting institutions of higher education, nonprofit educational service providers, and local educational agencies that demonstrate expertise in professional learning, coaching, and mentoring for school leaders. The program is implemented in partnership with the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence and the State Board of Education, with oversight and coordination through a statewide system of support. The purpose of this grant is to expand and improve the quality of professional learning opportunities available to principals and other school leaders, including teacher leaders, particularly those involved in school improvement efforts. The Regional Academies funded through this opportunity are expected to deliver sustained, job-embedded professional learning aligned with the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders and the California Quality Professional Learning Standards. The initiative focuses on improving instructional leadership, supporting underserved student populations, and fostering continuous improvement practices across schools and districts. The program also emphasizes responsiveness to emerging educational needs and alignment with statewide initiatives such as Universal Design for Learning and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. Funding for this opportunity is structured as a three-year grant cycle, with each selected Regional Academy receiving a minimum of one million dollars per year. The total potential funding per awardee may reach up to three million dollars over the full grant period, subject to state and federal funding availability and regional needs. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis and must be used for allowable activities such as professional learning development, coaching, materials production, and collaborative meetings. Restrictions prohibit expenditures on items such as food, furniture, promotional materials, and unrelated travel. All costs must directly support the goals of the program and comply with federal Title II guidelines. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit educational service providers, and local educational agencies with demonstrated expertise in leadership development. Applicants must apply to serve a single geographic region and demonstrate the capacity to deliver services across that region. The application process requires submission of an online Intent to Submit form as a prerequisite, followed by a comprehensive application that includes narrative responses, budget forms, staffing plans, and supporting documentation such as resumes and partnership agreements. Applications are evaluated through a competitive review process using a detailed scoring rubric that assesses capacity, program design, outcomes, partnerships, staffing, participant engagement, and budget effectiveness. The submission process includes multiple required components and strict deadlines. Applicants must first submit an Intent to Submit an Application form, which requires authorized signatures and serves as a gating requirement for eligibility. The full application must then be submitted electronically through the designated portal. Applications must be complete and compliant with all requirements to be considered. The review process includes screening for eligibility, scoring by knowledgeable reviewers, and potential interviews. Final award decisions are subject to approval by the Executive Director of the State Board of Education, and an appeals process is available under limited conditions. Key dates for this funding opportunity include the Intent to Submit deadline of May 27, 2026, and the final application deadline of June 24, 2026. Award notifications are expected in early September 2026, with a project start date of October 1, 2026. The grant period runs annually and may be renewed for up to three years, ending September 30, 2029. Applicants are expected to meet ongoing reporting and performance requirements, including quarterly data submissions and adherence to program metrics. Failure to meet these requirements may impact eligibility for future funding cycles. For additional information, applicants may contact the California Department of Education via the program email address or phone number provided in the solicitation. The program emphasizes collaboration, data-driven improvement, and alignment with statewide educational priorities, making it a significant opportunity for organizations committed to advancing school leadership and student outcomes across California.

Ensure full compliance with all required components; align proposal with CPSEL and QPLS standards; demonstrate regional capacity and measurable outcomes; avoid non-allowable costs