Public Charter Schools Grant Program
Information on grant funding, technical assistance, and support initiatives available through the California Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP).The PCSGP is a discretionary grant program administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) on behalf of the State Board of Education (SBE). Funding for the program is provided through the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP)
, authorized under Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (20 United States Code [U.S.C.] 7221–7221j). States awarded these federal funds distribute them in subgrants to charter school developers to assist in the development and initial operations of newly established or conversion charter schools as well as to assist in the expansion and replication of high-quality charter schools. Additionally, the PCSGP allows the CDE to award contracts and subgrants to external parties to assist with providing technical assistance to charter schools, non-charter schools, and charter school authorizers in California.
Stay Informed
Updates regarding future PCSGP funding competitions will be announced through the Charter-Schools Listserv. The listserv also serves as a source of timely updates, announcements, and important information relevant to California's charter school community. Open to all subscribers with no membership requirements, the listserv is managed by the Lyris Listserv team in coordination with the Charter Schools Division.
Section Menu
- Access Subgrantee Resources
- Charter Authorizer Support Initiative (CASI)
- Statewide Technical Assistance for Charter Schools (STACS)
- Current Funding Cycle (2024–29)
- Previous Funding Cycle (2020–23)
Access Subgrantee Resources
The PCSGP Start-Up Subgrantee Resources page serves as a central hub for guidance, tools, and resources including subgrant administration guidance, use of funds guidance, frequently asked questions, templates, and other program support materials. These resources are intended to support effective subgrant management, ensure compliance with program requirements, and promote the successful achievement of project goals.
Charter Authorizer Support Initiative (CASI)
The Charter Authorizer Support Initiative (CASI) provides professional development and networking opportunities for charter school authorizers through statewide and regional activities.
Statewide Technical Assistance for Charter Schools (STACS)
The Statewide Technical Assistance for Charter Schools (STACS) program provides technical assistance and fosters continuous improvement networks for charter schools through statewide activities designed to improve academic achievement by strengthening the capacity of charter schools to deliver high-quality educational programs and improve outcomes for all students.
Current Funding Cycle (2024–29)
Effective October 1, 2024, California was awarded approximately $93 million in Charter Schools Program (CSP) federal grant funds for the 2024–29 period to administer the Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP).
PCSGP Start-Up Subgrant Funding Competitions
PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants provides funding for the planning and initial implementation of newly established or conversion charter schools, as well as the replication and expansion of high-quality charter schools.
PCSGP Start-Up applicants must be a non-profit entity or Local Education Agency (LEA) at the time of application submission. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible.
2026–27 PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants (Spring 2027 Competition)
A PCSGP Start-Up Subgrant funding opportunity is anticipated in Spring 2027. Specific dates for application posting, the application deadline, and other key milestones have not yet been established. Information about the opportunity will be posted on this webpage and announced through the Charter-Schools Listserv.
Closed Start-Up Funding Competitions
| Year | Subgrant Type | Funding Profile | Funding Application | Funding Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2026–27 A |
Start-Up | Funding Profile (ID 7552): 2026–27 PCSGP Start-Up Subgrant-Planning, Implementation, Replication, and Expansion | 2026–27 PCSGP Start-Up Subgrant RFA | To Be Determined |
2025–26 |
Start-Up |
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2024–25 |
Start-Up |
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2024–25 |
Waiver-Entry Start-Up |
PCSGP Technical Assistance Provider Funding Competitions
PCSGP Technical Assistance Provider Subgrants or Contracts support external parties in providing technical assistance to charter schools, non-charter schools, and charter school authorizers in California.
No PCSGP Technical Assistance Provider funding opportunities are anticipated at this time.
Closed Technical Assistance Provider Funding Competitions
| Year | Subgrant Type | Funding Profile | Funding Application | Funding Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2025–26 |
Statewide Technical Assistance for Charter Schools (STACS) |
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2025–26 |
Charter Authorizer Support Initiative (CASI) Local Education Agency (LEA) Contract |
Previous Funding Cycle (2020–23)
Effective October 1, 2020, California was awarded approximately $41 million in CSP grant funds for the 2020–23 period, with one approved no-cost extension through September 30, 2024, to administer the Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP).
| Year | Subgrant Type | Funding Profile | Funding Application | Funding Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2023–24 |
Planning, Implementation, Replication and Expansion |
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2022–23 |
Planning and Implementation |
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2022–23 |
Regional Technical Assistance and Coaching |
Available Upon Request |
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2021–22 B |
Planning, Implementation, Replication and Expansion |
Available Upon Request |
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2021–22 A |
Planning, Implementation, Replication and Expansion |
Available Upon Request |
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2021–22 |
Best Practices Workshop |
Available Upon Request |
No applications were funded under this competition. |
|
2021–22 |
Critical Friends Group Coach |
Available Upon Request |
No applications were funded under this competition. |
|
2021–22 |
Charter School Authorizer Technical Assistance Provider |
Available Upon Request |
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2020–21 |
Planning, Implementation, Replication and Expansion |
Available Upon Request |