Florida · Federal Grant

Florida 21st CCLC: After-School STEM

Florida's 21st Century Community Learning Centers program funds after-school and summer STEM enrichment programs at high-need schools, administered by the Florida DOE using federal Title IV-B dollars.

Funding

$50,000–$150,000/year

Eligibility

Florida public schools (Title I priority)

Grade Focus

K-12

Subject

STEM / CS After-School

Deadline

Annual (summer RFP from Florida DOE)

Type

Federal Grant

About This Grant

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program is one of the most impactful after-school funding streams in Florida. Administered through the Florida DOE with federal Title IV-B dollars, it funds programs that provide academic enrichment, STEM activities, and family engagement for students in high-need schools.

Florida distributes these funds competitively to schools and community-based organizations. Successful programs typically run for three to five years, providing sustained after-school and summer learning opportunities. CS and coding activities are a growing component of funded programs, as Florida pushes to close technology access gaps across its diverse student population.

After-school programs using Forward Education kits can easily document engagement, skill progression, and student interest in CS careers — all metrics that strengthen 21st CCLC reporting and renewal applications. Our kits come with teacher guides designed for informal learning environments.

View Florida 21st CCLC: After-School STEM →

Eligibility

Florida public schools, districts, and community-based organizations partnering with high-need schools
Priority for Title I schools or schools with 40%+ students qualifying for free/reduced lunch
Must provide services outside the regular school day (after school, weekends, summers)
Required: family engagement component and evaluation plan measuring academic outcomes

Allowable Uses

Physical computing hardware (coding kits, micro:bits, robotics)
CS and AI literacy curriculum
Teacher professional development
Snacks, transportation, and family literacy or 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

Partner with a community-based organization to strengthen your application — partnerships are scored favorably.
Document a clear theory of change connecting after-school CS activities to improved academic performance.
Plan for sustainability from day one; reviewers want to see how the program continues if grant funding ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as federal 21st CCLC funding?

Yes. Florida receives federal Title IV-B dollars and distributes them through a state-run competitive grant process. The Florida DOE manages the application, while federal rules govern allowable uses.

Can after-school STEM clubs apply directly?

Individual clubs cannot apply directly. A school, district, or qualifying nonprofit must be the applicant. After-school STEM activities can be a component of a broader program.

How long are grant periods?

Typical awards cover three to five years, subject to annual performance reviews and continuation funding. Strong programs with good data are routinely renewed.

Can we buy coding kits with 21st CCLC funds?

Yes. Hardware, curriculum, and supplies used directly in student programming are allowable. Items must be justified in the budget narrative and tied to student outcomes.

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.