Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Well-Rounded Education Programs: Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education (Javits) Program

The Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program is a federal discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Education through the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. The program is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and is designed to support national efforts to improve how elementary and secondary schools identify and serve gifted and talented students. The program places a strong emphasis on evidence-based practices and research that enhance educational outcomes, particularly for students who may be underserved or under-identified, including those from low-income or at-risk populations. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research, demonstration projects, and innovative strategies that build the capacity of schools and educational systems to effectively identify gifted students and meet their specialized educational needs. Funded activities must contribute to developing new knowledge or improving existing practices related to gifted education. Projects are expected to focus on advancing methods that accelerate learning and improve measurable student outcomes, including academic achievement and expanded access to advanced learning opportunities. Funding under this program is provided through discretionary grants with an estimated total program funding of 9,000,000 dollars. Individual awards are expected to range from 400000 to 650000 dollars, with an average award size of approximately 550000 dollars. The program anticipates making approximately 17 awards, each with a project period of up to 60 months. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for applicants, and the program allows for an unrestricted indirect cost rate, provided costs remain reasonable and necessary under federal guidelines. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as State educational agencies, local educational agencies, the Bureau of Indian Education, institutions of higher education, and other public or private organizations. Faith-based organizations are also eligible under the same conditions as other private entities. Applicants must select and address one of the program’s absolute priorities, which focus on developing new information to improve identification and service delivery for gifted students, with some distinctions based on applicant type. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes standard federal forms, a project narrative, budget details, and supporting documentation such as resumes and evidence forms. Applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to submit a notice of intent to apply prior to the full application deadline. Applications must comply with the Department of Education’s common instructions for discretionary grants, and applicants must maintain active registrations in both SAM.gov and Grants.gov systems. Applications are evaluated based on clearly defined selection criteria, including the quality of project design, management plan, adequacy of resources, and evaluation strategy. Projects must demonstrate measurable goals, sustainability, and alignment with program objectives. Additional competitive preference points may be awarded for projects that strengthen mathematics instruction or expand access to advanced coursework. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes an application availability date of April 22, 2026, a recommended notice of intent to apply by May 11, 2026, and a final application deadline of June 23, 2026. An intergovernmental review deadline follows on August 21, 2026. Applicants are expected to submit complete applications before the deadline, and awards are contingent upon funding availability and application quality.

Align proposal with evidence-based practices; clearly define measurable outcomes; demonstrate strong evaluation plan and sustainability