Florida · State Grant

Florida CAPE: Digital Tools Industry Certifications

Florida's Career and Professional Education (CAPE) program provides supplemental funding to high schools when students earn industry certifications in digital tools, coding, and technology fields.

Funding

$1,000–$3,500 per certification earned

Eligibility

Florida public high schools

Grade Focus

9-12

Subject

Career and Technical Education / CS

Deadline

Ongoing (funding tied to certification outcomes)

Type

State Grant

About This Grant

Florida's CAPE program is unique: rather than providing upfront grants, it pays schools a per-student bonus when students earn qualifying industry certifications in high-demand fields. Digital tools and CS-related certifications — including coding, IT support, and data science credentials — are among the highest-value CAPE certifications, generating significant supplemental revenue for high schools.

For technology teachers, CAPE creates a compelling incentive structure. Schools that invest in coding and CS instruction can recoup that investment many times over as students earn certifications. Several Florida high schools have built self-sustaining CS programs funded almost entirely through CAPE certification bonuses.

Forward Education's CS curriculum prepares students for several CAPE-qualifying certifications. Our materials cover foundational coding, computational thinking, and hardware skills that map to entry-level IT and CS credentials. Teachers report that students who engage with hands-on kits build the practical skills that translate directly to certification success.

View Florida CAPE: Digital Tools Industry Certifications →

Eligibility

Florida public high schools enrolled in state education funding formulas
Students must earn a qualifying industry certification from the CAPE-approved list
Certifications must be in recognized high-demand, high-wage fields (CS, IT, digital tools qualify)
Schools must be enrolled in CAPE and report certification outcomes through district CTE systems

Allowable Uses

Physical computing hardware (coding kits, micro:bits, robotics)
CS and AI literacy curriculum
Teacher professional development
Industry certification exam fees and preparation materials

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

Review the CAPE industry certification list annually — qualifying credentials and bonus amounts change each legislative session.
The highest CAPE bonuses go to certifications in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and advanced coding — plan your curriculum backward from these targets.
Use CAPE revenue to fund hardware purchases for the following year, creating a sustainable CS program funding cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a school receive CAPE funding?

Schools receive per-student supplemental FTE funding when students earn qualifying certifications. The bonus is embedded in Florida's school finance formula, not a separate grant application.

Which certifications qualify for CAPE digital tools bonuses?

CompTIA IT Fundamentals, AWS Cloud Practitioner, coding credentials, and other CAPE-approved digital tools certifications qualify. The full list is updated each year by the Florida DOE.

Can middle schools participate in CAPE?

CAPE is primarily designed for high school programs, but some middle school acceleration programs may qualify. Check with your district's CTE coordinator.

Can we use CAPE bonuses to purchase more hardware?

Yes. CAPE revenue is unrestricted supplemental school funding. Many schools reinvest it in new kits, lab expansion, or teacher professional development.

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.