Digital Learning Initiative Grants

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), on behalf of the North Carolina State Board of Education (NCSBE) issues this Request for Proposals (RFP) for Digital Learning Initiative Grants. In Session Law 2016-94 (House Bill 1030), Section 8.23, the State Board of Education is charged with collaborating with the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University to continue the progress in implementing the Digital Learning Plan in North Carolina public schools.

The North Carolina Digital Learning Plan recommends the provision of grants to support the development and dissemination of local innovative digital learning models. The goal is to have effective digital learning practices spread across all North Carolina K-12 public schools. All school districts and charter schools were eligible to apply for the competitive grant program. Original grant application RFPs are included on this page as well as a list of grantees, state distribution maps and applicants.

Grants Detailed Information

Planning Grants

1-year grant to be implemented in the 2018-19 school year, based upon available funding
Up to $50,000 for traditional school districts and up to $15,000 for charter schools
Support school districts and charter schools at the beginning stages of planning for digital teaching and learning initiatives. As part of their grant program, districts or charter schools will complete the Digital Learning Progress Rubric, develop a plan for pilot implementation of digital teaching and learning, and participate in a planning review process with other grant recipients. Provide opportunities for peer support and feedback through district and charter school participation in May 2019 Convening held by DPI.
Priority will be given to districts and charter schools aligning work to the NC Digital Learning Competencies and one or more of the following: micro-credentialing, personalized learning, digital literacy skills for students, or innovative partnerships with IHEs.

Implementation Grants

2-year grant to be implemented in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years, based upon available funding
Up to $75,000 for traditional school districts each school year (total up to $150,000) and up to $25,000 for charter schools each school year (total up to $50,000)
Support school districts and charter schools piloting a well-developed plan for implementation of digital teaching and learning during year 1 of the grant, with intent to scale practices during year 2 of the grant and beyond. Provide opportunities for peer support and feedback through district and charter school participation in May 2019 Convening and May 2020 Convening help by DPI.
Districts and charter schools applying for this grant will have (1) completed a needs assessment through completion and analysis of the Digital Learning Progress Rubric and (2) developed a high-quality plan for implementation and operationalization.
Priority will be given to districts and charter schools implementing a plan aligned to the NC Digital Learning Competencies and one or more of the following: micro-credentialing, personalized learning, digital literacy skills for students, or innovative partnerships with Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs).

Innovation Academy Grants

3-year grant to be implemented in the 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 school years, based upon available funding
Up to $100,000 for traditional school districts each year (total up to $300,000) and up to $25,000 for charter schools each year
Support school districts and charter schools serving as statewide and national leaders by creating model demonstration site/s. Each grantee will elevate highly-effective practices for digital teaching and learning for educators from across the region and state and provide professional learning opportunities through an institute/program for approximately 150-200 over the course of each year and annual summer professional learning offering/s. Professional learning participants may expect to earn at least 1.0 DLC credit. Participate in statewide conferences and offer statewide leadership support as appropriate.
Provide a dedicated grant coordinator (up to 50% position) to facilitate district site visits throughout the school year for small cohorts of educators and to provide annual professional development offering/s during the summer to (1) highlight the best practices for digital teaching and learning and to (2) provide opportunities for participants to plan/apply in their own practice.
Districts and charter schools applying for this grant will have (1) documented and authoritative evidence of embedded digital teaching and learning practices for educators and students based upon the NC Digital Learning Progress Rubric (see rubric criteria for Advanced and Target) and will have (2) developed an innovative and interactive plan for providing high quality professional learning opportunities for educators across the state.
Priority will be given to districts and charter schools aligning work to the NC Digital Learning Competencies and one or more of the following: micro-credentialing, personalized learning, digital literacy skills for students, or innovative partnerships with Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs).