Lottery for Education Afterschool Programs (LEAPs)
Eligibility
Tennessee public schools and nonprofits serving students at high-need schools. Programs must provide afterschool or extended learning with academic enrichment, STEM, and family engagement components.
Program Goals
Tennessee's LEAPs program uses state lottery funds to support afterschool and extended learning programs at schools where students need the most support. Programs provide homework help, STEM enrichment, arts, and family engagement. LEAPs is Tennessee's primary state-funded afterschool grant program.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
TDOE releases a Request for Applications (RFA) through the ePlan grants portal. The FY2026 RFA closed April 10, 2026. Monitor the TDOE extended learning page for the next RFA announcement.
Cycle Notes
Annual competitive cycle. The FY2026 RFA closed April 10, 2026. Next cycle expected spring 2027. Monitor tn.gov/education for updates.
Grant Award Amount
Multi-year program grants. Award amounts are set in each RFA based on available lottery funds and program scope. Previous awards have supported sites serving hundreds of students per year.
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 to design solutions to real-world challenges
- 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
Who is eligible for Tennessee LEAPs grants?
Tennessee public schools and nonprofits serving students at high-need schools are eligible. Programs must provide afterschool enrichment with academic and STEM components.
How much funding is available through LEAPs?
Award amounts are set per RFA and vary by cycle. Previous grants have supported multi-year programs at individual school sites.
Can LEAPs funds be used for STEM and coding tools?
Yes. LEAPs funds can support STEM materials, physical computing kits, and coding curriculum that align to program goals. Document alignment to afterschool enrichment objectives.
How do Tennessee schools apply for LEAPs?
Monitor the TDOE extended learning page at tn.gov/education for the next RFA. Applications are submitted through the ePlan grants portal.
How can Forward Education help with LEAPs applications?
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, pricing letters, and letters of support for Tennessee schools. Our kits support the enrichment outcomes LEAPs funds.
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 — Tennessee 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
