Teaching American History Grant

The Teaching American History Grant was established as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 2001. The purpose of the grant is to increase achievement by improving teachers' knowledge and appreciation of American history.

Fast Facts

• This competitive, federal grant was first awarded in 2001. Application usually takes place in spring with awards coming in late summer or early fall.
• The goal of the grant is to support programs that raise student achievement by improving teachers' knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of American history.
• Local Education Agencies must have a university, museum or a non-profit educational organization as their main partner.
• Approximately 120 to 150 grants are awarded each year.
• The estimated range of the grant awards are $300,000 - $1,000,000 over three years. Awards are usually $750,000-$1,000,0000.

General Tips

• Build Support Among Teachers and Administrators.
  Survey teachers and administrators in your district to determine their needs and solicit their ideas. Use this feedback to inform your grant application.
• Emphasize Academics.
  Successful grants have a strong academic focus and emphasize teacher content knowledge. Pedagogy is important. However, it should be shown as supporting the content, not as the primary focus.
• Demonstrate Need.
  Use demographic and testing information to demonstrate district needs. Identify goals for improving test scores and overall student achievement.
• Expand Existing Programs.
  Build on initiatives already happening in the district to demonstrate that the grant will support existing programs to improve teacher quality and student achievement.
• Develop a Detailed Plan.
  Be as detailed as possible about the structure of training and institutes. Detailed plans for institutes assure reviewers that you have a solid plan that will be successfully implemented.
• Include Grant Management.
  Successful grants usually have a full-time grant coordinator. It is helpful to include the resume of the grant manager and other key personnel to demonstrate that there will be strong management.
• Establish Sustainability.
  Include programs and structures that build sustainability for years after the grant has ended. Reviewers want to see that the program will live on after the funding for the grant has been used.

• Teaching American History Grant