21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) ND
Eligibility
North Dakota public schools in high-need areas. Programs must serve students during non-school hours — afterschool, weekends, and summers. Title I school preference. Rural ND communities are particularly well positioned for these funds.
Program Goals
21st CCLC funds afterschool and summer enrichment programs that complement regular school learning. CS, coding, robotics, and STEM activities are a strong fit. Programs must demonstrate measurable outcomes for student learning and family engagement.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
Competitive grants administered by NDDPI. Applications submitted through the NDDPI grants portal. Awards are multi-year — typically 3-5 years of sustained funding. Watch nd.gov/dpi for the annual RFP announcement.
Cycle Notes
Annual RFP cycle. NDDPI posts the RFP in spring. Check nd.gov/dpi for the current timeline. This program has recurring funding but each cycle is competitive.
Grant Award Amount
Multi-year grants from the ~$3.5M statewide pool. Annual awards vary by program size and student enrollment. ND grants typically range from $50,000 to $200,000 per year depending on program scope and location.
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
- CodeCTRL controller with display for micro:bit — a handheld game-style controller for interactive games and physical computing
- Climate Action Kit — a beginner-friendly STEM kit combining micro:bit sensors to code solutions for climate change and sustainability
- Forward Education Learning Platform — curriculum-aligned STEM lessons, coding tutorials, career profiles, and PD courses
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of programs does 21st CCLC fund?
Afterschool, weekend, and summer enrichment programs. CS, coding, and STEM activities are strong fits for ND applications.
How long are 21st CCLC grants?
Multi-year awards — typically 3-5 years. This provides sustained funding for ongoing programs rather than one-time purchases.
Does my school need to be Title I?
Title I schools are prioritized. Check current NDDPI guidelines for eligibility requirements.
When does NDDPI post the RFP?
Typically spring. Monitor nd.gov/dpi for announcements. The program has recurring cycles but each is competitive.
How can Forward Education help?
We help design afterschool STEM program outlines that align to 21st CCLC requirements and ND learning standards.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals.
- Curriculum alignment documents — North Dakota standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing
- Letters of support
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence
