Delaware · State Formula Grant

Opportunity Funding (Delaware Weighted Student Funding)

Funding

~$55M statewide/yr (formula)

Grade Focus

K-12

Application Due

Formula — annual allocation

Level of Gov't

State — Delaware Department of Education

Eligibility

All Delaware public school districts. Funds are distributed by formula based on student enrollment and weighted factors including low-income students, English learners, and students with disabilities. No competitive application required.

Program Goals

Delaware Opportunity Funding provides weighted per-pupil formula dollars to districts to improve educational outcomes for all students, with additional weight for higher-need populations. Districts have broad discretion in how they invest these funds, including STEM curriculum, technology, and teacher development.

Read the Grant

Application and Distribution

No competitive application. Funds are allocated automatically to all 19 Delaware school districts based on the weighted student formula. Districts determine how to spend funds within allowable uses.

Cycle Notes

Annual formula allocation. Districts receive allocations at the start of each fiscal year.

Grant Award Amount

Approximately $55M distributed statewide annually. Individual district allocations vary based on enrollment and student demographics. Contact your district business office for your district's specific Opportunity Funding allocation.

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 for real-world challenges
Climate Action Kit — a beginner-friendly STEM kit combining micro:bit sensors to code solutions for climate change and sustainability
Smart Solar Energy Kit — build and program a working solar panel to measure real-time power generation and explore renewable energy
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
CodeCTRL controller with display for micro:bit — a handheld game-style controller for interactive games and physical computing

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my district need to apply for Opportunity Funding?

No — it is a formula grant. All 19 Delaware districts receive automatic allocations based on enrollment and student need weights.

Can Opportunity Funding purchase STEM kits?

Yes — districts have discretion to invest in curriculum, technology, and instructional materials. STEM kits and coding tools are allowable uses when aligned to learning goals.

How much does my district receive?

Varies by enrollment and student demographics. Contact your district business office for your specific allocation.

Is this the same as Title I?

No — Opportunity Funding is a Delaware state formula grant, separate from federal Title I Part A. Districts may receive both.

How can Forward Education help?

We can help your district connect our STEM tools to the learning outcomes Opportunity Funding is designed to support, including curriculum documentation for procurement.

Grant Support