New Application Information

 Grant Application, Guidance & Mandatory Forms 

Please note:  The NEW  FY26 - Cycle 21 Grant Application, Guidance & Mandatory Forms will be updated and published here on Dec. 31, 2024.  

The grant application and required forms below from the FY25 - Cycle 20 21st CCLC Grant Application process are for reference only.

1. 21st CCLC Grant Application (Word Doc) - This document will assist in completing the application online in GME.
2. FY25 - Cycle 20, Year 1 – NEW Grant Application Guidance
3. Form A - Affirmation of Consultation Form 

For Consortium Applicants ONLY:  Read the resource below to determine the pathway for the Consortium Model Application. 

21st CCLC Standard Partnership VS Consortium Model PDF

For Consortium Applicants ONLY:  Submit the additional Mandatory Forms as part of the Consortium Application.  Consortium Applicants can obtain the additional mandatory downloadable forms by emailing [email protected] to request the Consortium Forms.

 Grant Resources 

1. 21st CCLC Measures of Effectiveness (PDF) 
2. 21st CCLC Budget Narrative & Overview Worksheet GME
3. 21st CCLC Creating and Applying Digital Signatures (PowerPoint PDF version)
4. 21st CCLC Tools – Partnership Planning (PDF)
5. 21st CCLC Guidance Handbook Fiscal Year 2024 Edition. This most recent 21st CCLC Guidance Handbook 2023-24.
6. FY25 - Cycle 20 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Page - Questions may be submitted to the [email protected] beginning January 21st, 2025. Answers will be published on the New 21st CCLC Grant Application FAQs page so that all applicants have access to the same information.  The last day FY26 - Cycle 21 Application FAQs will be posted is Monday, March 3rd, 2025 by 5:00 pm.   The 21st CCLC application closes in GME at 11:59 pm on March 3, 2025.

Grant Application Informational Training Videos

FY26 21st CCLC Bidder's Conference

The purpose of the Bidder’s Conference is to clarify any questions regarding the application proposal, provide equal understanding, and communicate the same information to the public about this funding opportunity.

FY26 21st CCLC Bidder’s Conference - January 10th, 2025  - Details TBA.

Recording will be available on this page following the webinar.

FY25 - Cycle 20 Unpacking the Application Training

Click here to view The Unpacking the FY25 - Cycle 20 Application Training Video

 Purpose of the Grant 

The 21st CCLC programs must provide safe environments for students during non-school hours. Each grant program must serve students from one school site, where at least 40% of the students attending that school are economically disadvantaged; however, services may be offered at the school and at other locations. All centers must provide a range of high-quality services to support student learning and development.

Authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act, Title IV, Part B administered by the Arizona Department of Education; the specific purposes of the law are to:

(1) Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students, particularly students who attend low-performing schools, to meet the challenging State academic standards;

(2) Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as youth development activities, service learning, nutrition and health education, drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, art, music, physical fitness and wellness programs, technology education programs, financial literacy programs, environmental literacy programs, mathematics, science, career and technical programs, internship or apprenticeship programs, and other ties to an in-demand industry sector or occupation for high school students that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students; and

(3) Offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related education development.

(4) Grants funded by the 21st CCLC program may supplement, NOT supplant, existing out-of-school funding or programs

* Funding is based on the receipt of federal funds to ADE. If funding is decreased, a proportional decrease will be made to all awardees. All funding is contingent upon receipt of federal funds.

 Timeline for FY26 - Cycle 21 New Grant Application Competition 

Please note:  This Grant has mandatory Federal & State Reporting Requirements please see the Required Reporting Section for more information.

Eligible Applicant(s)

Absolute Priority 

Applications proposing services to schools with less than 40 percent economically disadvantaged students will not be considered.

Eligible Entity

The term “eligible entity” means a local education agency (LEA), community-based organization, Indian tribe or tribal organization (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act), another public or private entity, or consortium of 2 or more such agencies, organizations or entities.

Each 21st CCLC Application may serve only the students of one qualifying school (Site), and each 21st CCLC Original award under that Application is Site-specific.  Applications for 21st CCLC funding must be made under the District (Lead Fiscal Agent) with the school (Site) operates under.

If an “eligible entity” (per the paragraph above) is not the school site’s District, then the entity must apply under a District (Lead Fiscal Agent) for 21st CCLC funding for a specific Site or Sites within the District as a Participating Member Eligible Entity.

There are two pathways for “eligible entities” to receive 21st CCLC program funds in partnership with the District and its school Sites, as detailed below:

1. Standard Partnership Model

The “eligible entity” may simply provide some contracted services for the 21st CCLC program run by the District for the Site(s). In this case, the contracted Program Service Provider would not be named in the original 21st CCLC Yr 1 – NEW application but would instead be included in the budget of the application as a subcontractor when and where appropriate.

2. Consortium Model
   1. Alternatively, the “eligible entity” may serve as the 21st CCLC Program Service Provider and School Site Program Coordinator under a Consortium with the District and School administration.
   2. If the “eligible entity” will be the exclusive 21st CCLC Program Service Provider for the school Site, the school Site, and its District must agree to serve as the Lead Fiscal Agent and to complete such other parts of the grant requirements that the “eligible entity” is unable to complete due to FERPA and other constraints.
   3. This model of 21st CCLC consortium application is completed utilizing the same application process as all 21st CCLC Yr 1 – NEW applicants. The consortium application must also include completed mandatory forms, with the required signatures, uploaded into the Related Documents section of the Grants Management System. The Consortium Forms are available by contacting the 21st CCLC Inbox at [email protected].

Arizona’s 21st CCLC Grants are awarded for 5 years.  The first 3 years are 100% funded. Two additional continuation years are possible. Applicants are only eligible for the continuation years if they have demonstrated Substantial Compliance in the preceding year.  Continuation years are funded at 75%.

 Total Funding Amount 

Applicants must apply for a minimum of $50,000 or up to a maximum of $120,000 in the first year.

21st CCLC Funds are not allowed to be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.  The 21st CCLC grant is on a July 1 - June 30 fiscal year.

In the event that anticipated federal funding is decreased, a proportional decrease may be made to all awardees. All funding is contingent upon receipt of federal funds.

Please note, that geographic equity may be considered when awarding 21st CCLC sites.

 Technical Assistance 

For assistance or more information about the 21st CCLC Grant application, please refer to the other tabs on the Application Information website and the FAQs. For any questions remaining after viewing the other tabs and FAQs, contact the ADE 21st CCLC Staff via email at [email protected].

 Peer Review 

FY 25 Cycle 20 Application is closed.

If you are interested in applying to be a Peer Reviewer in the future, please check back in January 2025 for information on the next competition peer review timeline.

The application for the Arizona 21st CCLC Peer Reviewers will open on Jan. 27, 2025.

Last year's timeline is below for reference purposes only.

Peer Reviewers will independently evaluate applications online during a two-week window. You must have a computer and internet access and commit the time to read each of the grant applications carefully, make objective and constructive comments, and score fairly.

Peer Review Applicants will be selected based upon:

• experience and expertise with out-of-school or extended day programs or knowledge of research or practice on this topic;
• experience and expertise with or knowledge of research and practice in designing effective academic, enrichment, youth development, and related services to children; implementing, or evaluating interventions for at-risk students from high-poverty schools;
• experience and expertise working with communities to forge meaningful partnerships that foster commitment to improving the lives of youth and their families;
• relevant experience and expertise in an education-related field;
• experience and expertise conducting evaluations of education programs or community programs for at-risk youth;
• experience as a grant reviewer (preferably in education)

The Arizona Department of Education is committed to ensuring a fair, equitable, and transparent grant review process.

Compensation: Each reviewer will receive $150 per scored application. An additional $150 training bonus will be offered to reviewers that complete the full Peer Review Scoring and Close-Out process. We anticipate reviewers to review approximately 5-12 applications.

** Pursuant to Title IV, Part B of the ESSA, peer reviewers may not include any applicant, or representative of an applicant, that has or will be submitting a proposal in response to the current competition.