Florida · Federal Grant

21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B) (Florida)

The federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (Title IV-B of ESEA) provides sustained funding for after-school and summer learning programs at high-need schools across Florida, including STEM enrichment and academic support.

Funding

$50,000–$200,000/year

Eligibility

Florida public schools and nonprofits serving Title I communities

Grade Focus

K-12

Subject

After-school / STEM / Academic enrichment

Deadline

Florida DOE RFP (annual, summer cycle)

Type

Federal Grant

Ready to apply?View Official Grant Page →

About This Grant

Title IV-B of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) established the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program as a major federal investment in after-school and summer learning. States receive formula funding from the federal government and distribute it competitively to schools and community organizations. Florida's allocation supports hundreds of after-school programs serving tens of thousands of students.

21st CCLC programs are required to provide academic enrichment, with STEM activities increasingly emphasized in Florida's program guidelines. After-school coding clubs, robotics teams, and technology enrichment sessions are all fundable components of a 21st CCLC program. The program also supports family engagement, connecting parents and caregivers to school learning.

This program is one of the most reliable long-term funding streams for after-school STEM in Florida. Awards typically run for three to five years, providing sustained resources to build quality programs. Schools with established after-school STEM programs that have demonstrated student impact are most competitive in the Florida application cycle.

View 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B) (Florida) →

Eligibility

Florida public schools and school districts with Title I designation or high percentage of low-income students
Community-based organizations partnering with high-need Florida schools
Programs must operate outside the regular school day (after school, weekends, summers)
Required: student academic support component, family engagement, and outcome measurement plan

Allowable Uses

Physical computing hardware (coding kits, micro:bits, robotics)
CS and AI literacy curriculum
Teacher professional development
Staff salaries, transportation, nutrition, and family engagement activities

Forward Education Products for This Grant

Forward Education offers classroom-ready kits that align with Florida CS standards and fit cleanly into grant budgets. All kits include teacher guides and curriculum.

micro:bit Starter Kit — Entry-level physical computing, perfect for introducing coding and computational thinking.
MicroChat AI Literacy Kit — Hands-on AI literacy curriculum covering machine learning concepts for K-12 classrooms.
Coding for Good Kit — Project-based learning kit connecting coding skills to real-world community challenges.
micro:bit Robotics Kit — Advanced robotics and engineering challenges for deeper CS exploration.

Keep in Mind

Academic connection is essential — show how your after-school STEM program directly supports core academic skills and school-day learning.
Family engagement is scored in Florida 21st CCLC applications; build a meaningful parent component, not just a token event.
Reference Florida's HB 7017 CS mandate to position after-school CS as supporting state education policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as the Florida 21st CCLC program?

Yes, the Florida 21st CCLC program is funded by federal Title IV-B dollars. The state administers the grant competition and sets additional Florida-specific requirements.

How many years does the grant run?

Florida 21st CCLC grants typically cover three to five years. Performance is reviewed annually and programs can be continued if they meet outcome targets.

Can a standalone STEM program qualify as a 21st CCLC program?

STEM enrichment can be a major component, but 21st CCLC programs must also include academic support. Pure enrichment-only programs need to add an academic support element.

Are there per-student cost limits?

Florida does not set strict per-student cost caps, but budgets must be reasonable and justified. Reviewers will scrutinize cost-effectiveness.

How can Forward Education help?

We provide curriculum alignment documents mapped to Florida CS standards, pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for qualifying applications. Reach out before you apply.