The U.S. Departments of Education and Labor have launched a fresh federal grant competition in civics and history education, channeling nearly $20 million toward organizations developing innovative instruction, educator training, and learning materials ahead of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The program targets colleges, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations with the expertise to reshape how American history, government, civics, and geography are taught across the country.
About the American History and Civics National Activities Grant
Administered through an interagency partnership between the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and the U.S. Department of Labor, the FY2026 American History and Civics National Activities program builds on a broader $153 million federal investment in American History and Civics Seminar programs announced earlier in the Trump Administration. The FY2026 competition was published in the Federal Register on May 26, 2026 and managed under Opportunity Number DOL-OESE-33914 on Grants.gov.
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Funding Size
- Total available: approximately $19,800,000
- Award type: discretionary grants
- Project period: multi-year; specific duration to be confirmed in the full Notice
Who Can Apply
- Institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations
- For-profit organizations with demonstrated expertise in developing evidence-based approaches to American history, civics, government, or geography instruction
- Consortia of eligible entities may jointly submit a single application following the procedures in 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129
Geographic Eligibility
- United States only
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Innovative American history, government, civics, and geography instruction
- Evidence-based professional development for teachers, principals, and school leaders
- Instructional materials and learning strategies benefiting low-income and underserved student populations
- Programs aligned with constitutional principles and America’s founding ideals
- Support for the Semiquincentennial of America’s founding in 2026
Application Process
Applications are submitted electronically through Grants.gov under opportunity number DOL-OESE-33914. This competition contains one absolute priority and two competitive preference priorities, which must be addressed in the application. Full competition details and Application Notice Instructions are available through the published Competition Announcement Notice in the Federal Register and on Grants.gov.
Required Materials
- Completed application addressing the absolute priority and both competitive preference priorities
- Project narrative demonstrating evidence-based instructional approaches and professional development design
- Budget narrative and justification
- Supporting organizational documentation
Key Dates
- Application deadline: to be confirmed in the full ANI on Grants.gov
- Monitor Grants.gov under opportunity number DOL-OESE-33914 for the closing date
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Selection Notes
- The program includes supplemental priorities aligned with the Trump Administration’s focus on patriotic education and American founding principles
- Proposals demonstrating measurable outcomes for low-income and underserved students carry additional weight
- Peer reviewers with backgrounds in American history, civics education, and program evaluation are being recruited at AmericanHistoryandCivics@ED.gov