Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund

The Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund is administered by the Iowa Department of Education to support the expansion of high-quality computer science instruction across the state. The fund was created in response to a legislative goal that all accredited Iowa schools integrate computer science education at appropriate grade levels, including high school course offerings, middle school exploratory instruction, and foundational exposure at the elementary level. This specific endorsement funding opportunity focuses on building educator capacity by supporting teachers in obtaining formal computer science or related endorsements. The primary purpose of the endorsement grant is to reimburse Iowa educators for costs associated with obtaining computer science or 5-12 Career and Technical Education Information Technology endorsements. Eligible expenses include tuition, textbooks, and associated academic fees required for coursework leading to endorsement credentials. The funding is designed strictly as reimbursement, meaning that costs must be incurred prior to claims submission and must align with the approved budget and grant agreement. Certain expenses such as mileage, stipends, or substitute teacher costs are explicitly disallowed, reinforcing the program’s focus on direct educational advancement. Eligible applicants include all Iowa public school districts and accredited nonpublic school systems. These entities apply on behalf of educators seeking endorsement and are responsible for administering funds, tracking expenditures, and ensuring compliance with program guidelines. The program allows for structured participation across district sizes, categorized by student population, and supports both individual district applications and collaborative efforts involving multiple educational entities. Applications are submitted through the IowaGrants.gov system, which serves as the central portal for application, reporting, and reimbursement processes. Applicants must complete a series of required forms, including general information, contact details, demographic data, a narrative proposal, and a detailed budget. The narrative requires applicants to describe current computer science programming, alignment with district plans, endorsement participation details, and projected student impact. Once submitted, the application becomes the formal grant award agreement upon approval. The application window for the endorsement funding remains open until May 1, 2027, or until funds are fully expended, with awards distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants are notified on a rolling basis. The grant operates on an annual reimbursement cycle tied to state appropriations, and participants must submit periodic claims and reports. Key deadlines include reimbursement claim submissions in July and October 2027 and a final end-of-year report due October 29, 2027. Monitoring and compliance are integral components of the program. The Iowa Department of Education conducts project oversight through progress reports, financial reviews, and communication with stakeholders. Participants are also required to complete pre- and post-assessments to evaluate growth in computer science knowledge and instructional capacity. Failure to comply with grant requirements may result in sanctions, including withholding of funds or termination of the grant agreement. Overall, the program is designed to strengthen Iowa’s educational infrastructure in computer science by investing directly in teacher qualifications. By reducing financial barriers to endorsement attainment, the fund aims to expand access to high-quality instruction and ensure that students across the state benefit from robust and consistent computer science education.

Align proposal with district computer science plan; clearly quantify teacher participation and student impact; ensure budget strictly follows allowable cost rules and reimbursement structure