The U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program has begun accepting applications for two grant competitions:
•	The Charter Schools Program Non-State Educational Agencies (Non-SEA)  competition  (84.282B), which provides grants directly to developers of public charter schools so they can plan, design and complete the initial implementation of high-quality charters; and
•	The Charter Schools Program Non-State Educational Agencies (Non-SEA) Dissemination competition (84.282C), which provides grants to public charter schools that allow them to: (1) help other schools adapt the charter’s program; or (2) disseminate information about the charter school.

In 2011, the Department plans to use up to $4,201,705 for these competitions and estimates making between 22 and 26 awards. The average size of the awards is estimated to be $175,000 per year for up to three years, although the Department is not bound by any estimates. 

Applications are due by August 24, 2011 at 4:30:00PM EST and must be submitted through Grants.gov.   Applicants must register at Grants.gov prior to submitting an application.   The registration process can take between three to five business days, or longer if all steps are not completed in a timely manner. So please register early!

Four pre-application webinars that allow participants to ask questions will take place at 3PM EST on the following days:
•	August 2, 2011
•	August 4, 2011
•	August 8, 2011
•	August 11, 2011

For those interested in attending, please RSVP to [log in to unmask]  More information is available at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/charternonsea/applicant.html and at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/charternonsea-dissemination/applicant.html.

For additional information, pleases contact LaShawndra Thornton at [log in to unmask] or call her at (202) 453-5617.