Key Dates: Phase 1 will open for applications late in 2009. Phase 2 will open for applications in late spring 2010. Specific deadlines for Phase 1 and 2 will be announced in future notices.

Program Information: The US Department of Education's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.

Grant Information: The Recovery Act provides $4.3 billion for the Race to the Top Fund, a competitive grant program designed to encourage and reward states that are implementing significant education reforms across four ‘‘assurance'' areas:

• implementing standards and assessments,
• improving teacher effectiveness and achieving equity in teacher distribution,
• improving collection and use of data, and
• supporting struggling schools

States that receive a Race to the Top grant must use at least 50 percent of the award to provide subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs), including public charter schools identified as LEAs under State law. LEAs that choose to participate in their State's Race to the Top proposal must agree to fully implement the State's proposed plan and to use their funding under this grant in support of that plan.

For More Information: View the full  Funding Opportunity Announcement  for program and application information.