Military-Connected Schools Construction, Modernization and Facilities Maintenance Program

The Military-Connected Schools Construction, Modernization and Facilities Maintenance Program Grant is administered by the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) to support infrastructure improvements in schools serving military-connected students. Authorized under 10 U.S.C. 2008, this program enables federal investment in local educational facilities by funding construction, renovation, repair, and modernization projects. The initiative is designed to address critical facility needs that directly impact the educational environment for students whose families are affiliated with military service or federal employment on military installations. The primary purpose of the grant is to strengthen learning conditions by improving the physical infrastructure of schools attended by military-connected students. Projects funded under this opportunity must align with objectives such as enhancing health and safety, improving accessibility, upgrading environmental quality, and supporting modern instructional needs. Eligible activities include structural repairs, system upgrades such as HVAC or electrical improvements, construction of new educational spaces, and modernization of classrooms and specialized learning environments. All funded activities must fall under the federal definition of construction, including planning, building, renovation, inspection, and associated debt service. Funding for this program totals 100 million dollars, with individual awards ranging from 250,000 dollars to a maximum of 25 million dollars. The period of performance for awarded grants may extend up to five years. Cost sharing is not required; however, any voluntary contribution becomes a binding condition of the award. Funds must be used exclusively for educational facilities, and recipients must comply with federal regulations including 2 CFR Part 200, Build America Buy America requirements, and Davis-Bacon Act wage standards for construction projects exceeding 2,000 dollars. Eligibility is limited to Local Education Agencies, including charter schools recognized as LEAs, that qualify for Impact Aid Basic Support Payments under Section 7003(b). Applicants must demonstrate that they serve at least 400 federally connected students or that such students represent at least 3 percent of enrollment. Additionally, the target school must have a minimum of 15 percent military-connected student enrollment. Certain previously funded schools listed in the 2018 Department of Defense prioritized list are excluded, though LEAs may apply for other eligible schools. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and include required federal forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424C, along with a comprehensive project narrative. The narrative must detail the project scope, need, budget, timeline, sustainability, management plan, and expected outcomes. Priority consideration is given to projects addressing emergency facility conditions or those demonstrating strong alignment between infrastructure improvements and academic outcomes. Applications are evaluated through a merit-based review process considering alignment with priorities, demonstrated need, construction readiness, and cost reasonableness. The application deadline is May 22, 2026, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Proposals are reviewed for completeness and eligibility before scoring, and final award decisions are expected by late September 2026. Applicants must ensure compliance with all submission requirements, including registration in SAM and Grants.gov, and provide all required documentation at the time of submission. Contact for inquiries includes the DoWEA Grant Program Office via email at DoDEA.Grants@dodea.edu and the Grants Officer ShaHannah Brown. Overall, this grant represents a significant federal effort to improve educational infrastructure for military-connected communities, ensuring that facilities meet modern standards for safety, functionality, and academic support. The program emphasizes readiness, compliance, and measurable impact, with a structured evaluation process and strict adherence to federal funding guidelines.

Ensure strong alignment with Priority 1 or 2 criteria, provide detailed facility condition evidence, and demonstrate construction readiness with permits and timelines