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The Race to the Top is a $4.35 billion competitive grant program designed to encourage and reward States that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform and implementing ambitious plans in four core education reform areas: Adopting internationally-benchmarked standards and assessments that prepare students for success in college and the workplace; Recruiting, developing, retaining, and rewarding effective teachers and principals; Building data systems that measure student success and inform teachers and principals how they can improve their practices; and Turning around lowest-performing schoolsThe overarching goals are to: Drive substantial gains in student achievement Improve high school graduation rates and prepare students for success in college and careers Close achievement gapsThe Department plans to make Race to the Top grants in two phases. States that are ready to apply may do so in Phase 1, which will open in late 2009. States that need more time may apply in Phase 2, which will open in spring 2010. States that apply in Phase 1 but are not awarded grants may reapply for funding in Phase 2, together with States that are applying for the first time in Phase 2. Phase 1 grantees may not apply for additional funding in Phase 2. We will announce specific deadlines for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 in subsequent notice(s) inviting applications for funds under this program.
Funding Opportunity Number: ED-GRANTS-072909-002. Assistance Listing: 84.395. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ED. Award Amount: $4350M total program funding.
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Or search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Eligible applicants: State governments; Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification). States. As defined by Section 14013 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Awards are made to States (as required by Section 14006(a)(2) of the ARRA). 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, based upon LEAs' relative shares of funding under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $4350M total program funding. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was May 28, 2025, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Yes — Office of Elementary & Secondary Education; Overview Information: Race to the Top Fund (ARRA) CFDA 84.395 is offered by Department of Education and this listing comes from Grants.gov, an official U.S. federal source. Federal applications generally require registrations (for example SAM.gov or an agency submission portal), so allow extra lead time.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Education and Innovation Research (EIR): Mid-Phase Grants is sponsored by U.S. Department of Education. This program supports the development, implementation, and rigorous evaluation of evidence-based practices that improve student achievement and other outcomes for students. The Mid-Phase grants are for programs with a moderate evidence base.
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Alaska Native Education (ANE) Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Education. This program supports projects designed to address the unique educational needs of Alaska Native students. While directly targeting Alaska, state education departments with relevant student populations or partnerships could potentially explore this.
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