New Application Information

 Grant Application, Guidance & Mandatory Forms 

The 21st CCLC Competitive Grant application for Fiscal Year 2026 Opens January 21st and Closes March 3, 2025

The grant application and required forms below from the FY26 - Cycle 21 21st CCLC Grant Application process are for reference only.

1. FY26 - Cycle 21, Year 1: 21st CCLC Grant Application (Word Doc) - This document will assist in completing the application online.
2. FY26 - Cycle 21, Year 1 – NEW Grant Application Guidance
3. Form A - Affirmation of Consultation Form 
4. Other Eligible Entity (OEE) Application 

 Grant Resources 

1. 21st CCLC Measures of Effectiveness (PDF) 
2. 21st CCLC Budget Narrative & Overview Worksheet (Required for OEE Sites)
3. 21st CCLC Creating and Applying Digital Signatures (PowerPoint PDF version)
4. 21st CCLC Tools – Partnership Planning (PDF)
5. 21st CCLC Guidance Handbook Fiscal Year 2025 Edition. This most recent 21st CCLC Guidance Handbook 2024-25.
6. FY26 - Cycle 21 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Page - Questions may be submitted to the [email protected] beginning January 21st, 2025. 

Grant Application Informational Training Videos

FY26 21st CCLC Bidder's Conference

The purpose of the Bidder’s Conference is to clarify any questions regarding the application proposal, provide equal understanding, and communicate the same information to the public about this funding opportunity.

FY26 21st Century Community Learning Center's Bidder’s Conference Video

Please choose "21st Century Community Learning Centers" under the All Categories dropdown to find the event.

Recording will be available on this page following the webinar.

 Purpose of the Grant 

The 21st CCLC programs must provide safe environments for students during non-school hours. Each grant program must serve students from one school site, where at least 40% of the students attending that school are economically disadvantaged; however, services may be offered at the school and other locations. All centers must provide a range of high-quality services to support student learning and development.

Authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act, Title IV, Part B administered by the Arizona Department of Education; the specific purposes of the law are to:

(1) Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students, particularly students who attend low-performing schools, to meet the challenging State academic standards;

(2) Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as youth development activities, service learning, nutrition and health education, drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, art, music, physical fitness and wellness programs, technology education programs, financial literacy programs, environmental literacy programs, mathematics, science, career and technical programs, internship or apprenticeship programs, and other ties to an in-demand industry sector or occupation for high school students that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students; and

(3) Offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related education development.

(4) Grants funded by the 21st CCLC program may supplement, NOT supplant, existing out-of-school funding or programs

* Funding is based on the receipt of federal funds to ADE. If funding is decreased, a proportional decrease will be made to all awardees. All funding is contingent upon receipt of federal funds.

 Timeline for FY26 - Cycle 21 New Grant Application Competition 

Please note:  This Grant has mandatory Federal & State Reporting Requirements please see the Required Reporting Section for more information.

Eligible Applicant(s)

Absolute Priority 

Applications proposing services to schools with less than 40 percent economically disadvantaged students will not be considered.

Eligible Entity

The term “eligible entity” means a local education agency (LEA), community-based organization, Indian tribe or tribal organization (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act), another public or private entity, or consortium of 2 or more such agencies, organizations or entities.

Each 21st CCLC Application may serve only the students of one qualifying school (Site), and each 21st CCLC Original award under that Application is Site-specific.  

If an “eligible entity” (per the paragraph above) is not the school site’s District, then the entity must apply in collaboration with a District for 21st CCLC funding for a specific Site or Sites within the District as an Eligible Entity. 

There are three partnerships for "eligible entity" to receive 21st CCLC program funds, as detailed below:

1.  Standard Partnership

• The “eligible entity” may serve as a partner, providing some contracted services for the 21st CCLC program run by the District for the Site(s). In this case, the contracted Program Service Provider would not be named in the original 21st CCLC Yr 1 – NEW application but would instead be included in the budget of the application as a subcontractor when and where appropriate.

2.  Consortium Model - LEA and Eligible Entity

• Alternatively, the “eligible entity” may serve as the 21st CCLC Program Service Provider and School Site Program Coordinator under a Consortium with the District and School administration.
• If the “eligible entity” will be the exclusive 21st CCLC Program Service Provider for the school Site, the school Site, and its District must agree to serve as the Lead Fiscal Agent and to complete such other parts of the grant requirements that the “eligible entity” is unable to complete due to FERPA and other constraints.
• This model of the 21st CCLC consortium application is completed utilizing the same application process as all 21st CCLC Yr 1 – NEW applicants. The consortium application must also include completed Forms B & C, these forms will be sent out by the 21st CCLC Office with an outline due date if the application(s) are recommended for award to the State Board of Education.

3.  Other Eligible Entity (OEE) Model

• A non-LEA entity may serve as a 21st CCLC provider, in partnership with a district or school site(s). In this case, the Other Eligible Entity (OEE) would serve as a fiscal lead agent and the district or site would provide student information/data, either through a parental waiver or a hired district data coordinator.
• The Other Eligible Entity application must also include completed Forms B & C, these forms will be sent out by the 21st CCLC Office with outline due date(s) if the application(s) are recommended for award to the State Board of Education.

Arizona’s 21st CCLC Grants are awarded for 5 years.  The first 3 years are 100% funded. Two additional continuation years are possible. Applicants are only eligible for the continuation years if they have demonstrated Substantial Compliance in the preceding year.  Continuation years are funded at 75%.

 Total Funding Amount 

Applicants must apply for a minimum of $50,000 or up to a maximum of $120,000 in the first year.

21st CCLC Funds are not allowed to be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.  The 21st CCLC grant is on a July 1 - June 30 fiscal year.

In the event that anticipated federal funding is decreased, a proportional decrease may be made to all awardees. All funding is contingent upon receipt of federal funds.

Please note, that geographic equity may be considered when awarding 21st CCLC sites.

 Technical Assistance 

For assistance or more information about the 21st CCLC Grant application, please refer to the other tabs on the Application Information website and the FAQs. For any questions remaining after viewing the other tabs and FAQs, contact the ADE 21st CCLC Staff via email at [email protected].

 Peer Review 

FY 26 Cycle 21 Application will open on January 21st, 2025.

If you are interested in applying to be a Peer Reviewer in the future, please check back in January 2025 for information on the next competition peer review timeline.

The application for the Arizona 21st CCLC Peer Reviewers will open on Jan. 27, 2025.

Click here for Peer Review webpage