Regarding the quality criteria listed in the information slides, must an applicant satisfy ALL of the criteria, or just one?
Adding our last grade level in 26/27, so we would not be able to apply for the expansion grant?
Correct, you are not eligible for the expansion grant.
Are there any templates or other support tools for exceptional submissions?
There is a budget template. You are also encouraged to attend our Technical Support Office Hours. They are as follows:
Thursday, April 9th at 1pm
Thursday, April 23rd at 1pm
Thursday, April 30th at 1pm
Thursday, May 7th at 1pm
Thursday, May 14th at 1pm
Tuesday, May 19th at 1pm
What is the definition of a significant enrollment increase?
We are looking to open a HS in 2027. Would that be an application for Planning and Implementation?
What is the earliest a LOI can be submitted? Can a LOI for a 2028 grant be submitted in September 2026?
No. The LOI will need to be submitted when the grant application window opens for that particular subgrant.
Other than reporting, are there training or workshops required for grant recipients?
Yes. Refer to the slidedeck for the required training.
For early planning and year 1 implementation schools, will there be any credit available for schools who don’t have operating cash?
Rhonda Dillingham, Executive Director, is exploring options to support schools without operating cash.
Can we use the grant to cover a lease for a temporary relocation of a portion of the school while we begin our construction project to expand? We will not use the funds for construction, but cover the lease and moving expenses to get the new temporary location up and running.
You cannot use NC GROW CSP funds for a temporary relocation lease. Even though the money wouldn’t go toward construction itself, the relocation is considered construction‑related, which the grant rules don’t allow.
When should you apply if you’re applying for expansion?
2027. It will be earlier moving forward. For the planning and implementation grant, the 2027 award would be for those schools opening in 2028.
What about schools that have a preschool and give priority for preschoolers for the lottery?
- We have info about that in the RFP.
- NC allows things that the DOE doesn’t and this is a federal grant.
- The definition for educationally disadvantage is in the grant materials.
Is the number of awards in different categories done from NCAPCS or DOE?
What is the definition of expansion vs. replication?
Sub-campuses are considered an expansion rather than a replication.
When a contract for a school is up for approval or renewal with the board, the requirement is that an outside objective attorney reviews the contract.
No more than 15% of funds can go to the EMO/CMO.
What if you are an elementary school–how do you factor CTE/STEM/AI?
- It is CTE or STEM or AI?
- Science-based work
- There will be a rubric
- Building a scaffolding for high school students
- Put research for proven models for what works for younger children
Who are the external peer reviewers?
Does expansion have to be another building?
Growing grade levels or enrollment; Substantial means at least 10% growth; Can’t use grant funding for construction
How is the rubric weighted?
Schools that CTE/STEM/AI are weighted in favor
How is met/exceeded growth across all subgroups decided?
Rhonda/Meredith to ask DOE
If we want to expand, but we know that we are 3 years out from the site being zoned, etc., can you apply for the vision, or when do you have to literally produce the added grades/students in the scope of the grant?
You have to spend to be reimbursed for; You would need the students added by the end of your grant term.
When do the 2027 grants come out?
Applications available in January, award notifications in May
Are schools allowed to contract with people to help write the grant?
Yes, as long as deliverables are met.
Why are schools not allowed to use this grant money for construction projects?c
This is a federal stipulation, not an NCAPCS stipulation.
We currently have a brick-and-mortar in-person charter school. We are adding on a remote academy under our same charter. Which subgrant can we apply for?
Are the facilities' allowable costs the same as those items allowed with Title IV‑A funding?
The CSP NC GROW grant has its own allowable costs. Consult the allowable costs guide for more information.
We are located in Research Triangle Park, and part of our STEM programming under the PLTW program includes several opportunities to conduct field trips to local companies. We would like to buy 3-4 small 15-passenger buses in order to be able to take students to those activities. Transportation is not mentioned under the allowable cost guide, but I wanted to ask, as this is a relatively specific (and applicable) use case?
CSP funds can’t be used to purchase vehicles, including activity buses. You can use other funding sources to acquire them, and CSP funds may support transportation‑related services tied to your STEM field trips, just not the purchase of the buses themselves.
The budget template tool indicates that applicable expenses incurred from 10/2025 through 9/2026 would be allowable. Am I reading that correctly?
Yes, the Year 1 grant period runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, and only expenses within that window are allowable.
I do not have a DUNS number. Do I need to get one?
No. Please put your SAM.GOV number in that space on the application instead.
