Digital Learning Grants
Since 2017, the competitive Digital Learning Initiative Grants have supported public school units as they address challenges, harness opportunities, and leverage resources for digital-age teaching and learning. By creating hubs of innovation across the state that model digital leadership and support NC educators in their professional growth, students’ access to highly qualified educators and meaningful learning opportunities increases.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), on behalf of the North Carolina State Board of Education, has announced the opening of the Digital Learning Initiative Instructional Innovation Grant for the 2026-2027 school year. These competitive grants are designed to support public school units in implementing innovative digital teaching and learning practices. This year, the grant includes two pathways: Professional Learning and Innovative Technologies. Funding is available for up to 10 grants, with traditional public school districts eligible for up to $50,000 and charter, regional, and lab schools eligible for up to $20,000 for the one-year grant period.
The Digital Learning Initiative Instructional Innovation Grant focuses on strengthening digital teaching and learning through:
- Professional Learning
- Innovative Technologies
- Educator capacity building
- Student agency and engagement
- Critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity
- Instructionally grounded innovation aligned to the NC Digital Learning Plan and ISTE-aligned Digital Learning Competencies
The full Request for Proposals and related materials can be found here:
Request for Proposals (RFP)
DLI Rubric
Application Template (forced copy)
Submission Form
DLI Grants Website
Grant support sessions will be offered throughout the application window to assist PSUs with planning and submitting strong proposals. Each webinar includes information about the grant or best practices in grant writing, followed by time for questions and answers. Webinar recordings will be available on the DLI Grants website. For requests for 1:1 meetings or face-to-face support, please email Lindsey.Sipe@dpi.nc.gov.
| Grant Overview and Support Sessions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Topic | Registration Link |
April 13, 2026 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Overview of the Digital Learning Initiative Instructional Innovation Grant | Register Here |
April 23, 2026 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Grant Guru: Learn the art of grant storytelling while building a clear, funder-ready proposal. This session covers structuring your narrative with purpose, communicating project goals clearly, and creating a transparent, well-justified budget aligned with deliverables and funding requirements. | Register Here |
April 29, 2026 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Overview of the Digital Learning Initiative Instructional Innovation Grant | Register Here |
May 5, 2026 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. | Grant Guru: Learn the art of grant storytelling while building a clear, funder-ready proposal. This session covers structuring your narrative with purpose, communicating project goals clearly, and creating a transparent, well-justified budget aligned with deliverables and funding requirements. | Register Here |
May 12, 2026 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Overview of the Digital Learning Initiative Instructional Innovation Grant | Register Here |
April/May Office Hours April 17 - May 29, 2026 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Overview of the Digital Learning Initiative Instructional Innovation Grant
| Register Here |
June Office Hours June 4 - June 25, 2026 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Lunch with Lindsey: June Office Hours (Every Thursday) Bring your lunch and join me to ask questions, talk through your grant, and connect with others. You can also listen in, share ideas, and learn from what others are doing. | Register Here |
For questions about the grant or to request face-to-face support or a 1:1 virtual meeting, please contact Lindsey.Sipe@dpi.nc.gov.
The Office of Digital Learning and School Connectivity is working toward ensuring all resources on this webpage meet accessibility standards. If there is a document or material on this page that is not accessible, please email Lindsey.Sipe@dpi.nc.gov to request a more accessible version.
For more information about the DLI Grants, contact:
Lindsey Sipe- Lindsey.Sipe@dpi.nc.gov
Dr. Ashley McBride- Ashley.McBride@dpi.nc.gov