TEA: 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Cycle 13)
Eligibility
Public school districts, nonprofit organizations, and other eligible entities that partner with high-need schools can apply. The program prioritizes schools meeting Title I eligibility criteria. Applications are competitive and reviewed by TEA based on program quality, need, and sustainability plans.
- Eligible: Public school districts and nonprofit organizations partnering with high-need schools
- Priority: Title I-eligible schools with demonstrated need for after-school programming
- Multi-year grants (typically 3-5 years) are available
- Applications submitted during Cycle 13 RFA window on tea.texas.gov
Program Goals
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program provides funding for before-school, after-school, and summer enrichment programs at schools in high-need communities. In Texas, TEA administers this program using federal Title IV funds. Cycle 13 covers the 2026-2027 school year and beyond.
Programs must provide academic enrichment activities that help students meet state academic standards. STEM enrichment, coding, and physical computing projects are explicitly mentioned as eligible programming in TEA's guidelines.
Application Timeline
Check tea.texas.gov for the Cycle 13 application window and RFA documents. The RFA outlines specific requirements, scoring criteria, and submission procedures. Applications are competitive - review prior funded applications if available to understand what TEA expects.
Funding and Eligible Uses
Awards typically range from $100,000 to $400,000 per site per year, with multi-year grants available. Eligible uses are broad and include staffing, instructional materials, technology, and programming. Robotics kits, STEM kits, and coding curriculum are explicitly mentioned as eligible in TEA guidelines.
Allowable Purchases
21st CCLC funds can support staffing, curriculum, materials, and technology for after-school and summer programs. STEM kits and coding tools that keep students engaged outside of regular school hours qualify.
Forward Education Tools That Qualify
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micro:bit Classroom Kits
Hands-on physical computing tools ideal for after-school and summer programs. Students build real projects in a low-pressure, engaging environment. Perfect for keeping students coming back each week. -
MicroChat AI Literacy Kit
AI literacy tools accessible to students of all backgrounds. After-school programs benefit from curriculum that sparks curiosity and discussion - MicroChat delivers both. -
Coding for Climate Kit
Environmental coding projects with strong community connections. Engages students in real problems that matter to their neighborhoods and communities.
Keep in Mind
21st CCLC programs operate outside regular school hours. Your proposal must show how your programming is specifically designed for the after-school or summer context - engaging, enriching, and different from what students do during the school day.
TEA evaluates programs on whether students actually show up and stay in the program. Show how your STEM activities will generate consistent student attendance. Hands-on, project-based activities have strong attendance track records.
Programs must show connection to academic standards and student achievement. Link your physical computing activities to specific Texas TEKS standards and include a plan to track student academic progress.
TEA wants to know what happens to the program after grant funding ends. Include a clear plan for how you will sustain the program using school budget, other grants, or community partners.
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 - TEKS and state 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.
Get the Grant Guide
