SPRING 2026 INSTRUCTIONAL GRANT WINDOW NOW OPEN!
APPLY FROM JANUARY 5 - APRIL 17
The intent of the Instructional Grants is to assist with educational needs that directly impact the education of Dare County students, but are not normally part of the school budget.
Please note that requests should not include items such as salaries or furniture that are normally provided by DCS. Expenses that are tangential to, or unrelated to, educational goals, such as transportation, meals, or entertainment, are also discouraged.
If there are several teachers applying for this grant, one lead applicant should fill out the form for the whole group. If the grant is funded, the check will be delivered to the school of the lead applicant, who will then be responsible for distributing the funds appropriately.
All technology requests, whether software or hardware, must be approved by Holly King, Director of Technology, at DCS. If approval is not obtained before application, DEF will contact Ms. King and will decline any application that DCS does not approve.
We appreciate the opportunity to consider contributing to your very important job as a Dare County educator.
YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GRANT WRITING
We’ve got the scoop on how to craft the perfect grant application. Let’s dive right in:
STEP 1: Brainstorm Brilliant Ideas
Before you start typing away on your application, take a moment to let those creative juices flow. Scan your curriculum, think outside the box, and brainstorm project ideas that could make a real difference in student learning. Please note that projects should focus on areas other than meals, entertainment, salaries, furniture, or transportation.
STEP 2: Collaborate or Go Solo?
Feeling inspired? Now, it's time to chat with your fellow educators. Collaborating can strengthen your application, so team up if you find kindred spirits in the staff room.
STEP 3: Connect with your principal
Next stop: your school administrator's office. Share your enthusiasm and project vision. Ask if there's funding available from your school, PTO, or Booster Club. It's all about covering your bases and exploring every avenue of support.
STEP 5: Compare with the Rubric
Our Programs Committee will use a rubric to assess your application, just like the ones you use to assess your students. Compare your application with this rubric to ensure you're hitting all the right notes. It's like having a cheat sheet to ace the game!
STEP 4: CRAFT YOUR application
Click the Apply Now button below to start drafting your application. Remember to upload essential documents and request a letter of support from your school or district administrator.
FEELING STUCK?
We're here to help you turn your classroom dreams into reality. Remember, we're just a click away if you need guidance or support during your grant writing process.
