21st Century Community Learning Centers (Tennessee)
Eligibility
Tennessee public schools, districts, nonprofits, and community organizations serving students at high-need, high-poverty schools. Programs must provide afterschool or summer enrichment.
Program Goals
Tennessee's 21st Century Community Learning Centers program uses federal Title IV-B funds to support afterschool and summer programs at schools where students need extended learning time. Programs provide academic enrichment, STEM activities, arts, and family engagement over multi-year grant periods.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
TDOE releases competitive Requests for Applications on a multi-year cycle. Applications require a community needs assessment, program plan, evaluation design, and budget. Monitor the TDOE extended learning page for new competition announcements.
Cycle Notes
Multi-year competitive cycles. TDOE announces competitions as federal funds become available. Monitor tn.gov/education for the next 21st CCLC competition announcement.
Grant Award Amount
Five-year program grants. Award amounts are set in each RFA based on program size and community need. Multi-site organizations may receive funding for multiple locations.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- Coding for Good Kit — an all-in-one coding, robotics, and AI literacy toolkit using micro:bit to design solutions to real-world challenges
- Forward Education Learning Platform — curriculum-aligned STEM lessons, coding tutorials, career profiles, and PD courses
- CHARGE Battery Pack for micro:bit — a compact rechargeable power solution that makes micro:bit projects fully portable
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for 21st CCLC in Tennessee?
Public schools, districts, nonprofits, and community organizations serving high-need Tennessee students. Programs must provide afterschool or summer enrichment at high-poverty campuses.
How much funding is available through Tennessee 21st CCLC?
Five-year program grants with amounts set per RFA. Previous cycles have funded programs at hundreds of thousands of dollars per site per year.
Can 21st CCLC funds be used for STEM and coding tools?
Yes. 21st CCLC funds can support STEM materials, physical computing kits, and coding curriculum that align to program goals.
How do Tennessee schools apply for 21st CCLC?
Monitor the TDOE extended learning page at tn.gov/education for new competition announcements. Applications require a needs assessment, program plan, and budget.
How can Forward Education help with 21st CCLC funding?
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, pricing letters, and letters of support for Tennessee schools.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents — Tennessee standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines
Download the Forward Education Grant Guide
Our grant guide helps educators find the right funding sources and build strong applications for STEM and coding programs.
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