Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers 

FY26 Request for Applications

Welcome and Introduction

Thank you for your interest in submitting an application for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. Approximately $7,084,584 is available in funding for this fiscal year. 

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Free and Reduced-Price Lunch (FRPL) Rate: If you do not have a minimum of 40 percent FRPL for each site (limit of 3) that you are proposing to serve, STOP, and remove any schools that do not have a minimum of 40 percent FRPL from your application. The FRPL percentage is determined by the Iowa Department of Education 2024-25 academic year spreadsheet that is publicly posted on this page: https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/data/education-statistics#student-enrollment. This document was updated January 2025, and is available at both the district and school levels. Do not use any other spreadsheets or lists to determine the Free and Reduced-Price Lunch rate.

Letters of Intent to Apply can be submitted via Survey Monkey.

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Technical Assistance

The Iowa Department of Education is committed to providing you with technical assistance connecting to this RFA cycle. Days and times for virtual TA are listed below. 

Virtual Office Hours – Session #1                           

 Monday, 11/17                               

1 PM – 3 PM CST

Zoom link: https://IDOE.zoom.us/j/88266005017?pwd=EwT9IzLVrtIJzPRHEuR6JEgLeFSO1O.1

(Meeting ID: 882 6600 5017, Passcode: 857120)

Virtual Office Hours – Session #2                            

Wednesday, 12/10                        

9 AM – 11 AM CST

Zoom link: https://IDOE.zoom.us/j/86115718605?pwd=cRWk67pQdiZHYWa9RvaKSJz14MWhL8.1

(Meeting ID: 861 1571 8605, Passcode: 052330)

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Timeline and Grant Documents

​Note: Please review the following before you start the application. Some resources are still being updated prior to the opening of the FY26 (2026-2027 academic year) funding period.

       21CCLC Application Checklist

• 21CCLC Instructions for the Application 

  • Form D1 - To be uploaded when you apply.

  • Form D1S - Optional but helpful summery of funding request. 

  • Form D2 - No longer required, but useful for sustainability planning.

  • Rubric of Scoring Criteria

• Include the following attachments:

  • 21st CCLC Communications Template (to be uploaded when you apply)

  • 21st CCLC Assurances and Agreements (to be uploaded when you apply)

  • Previous Sustainability Form (to be uploaded by prior grantees)

  • Collaborative Signature (to be uploaded when you apply)

  • Request for Competitive Priority - To be uploaded when you apply.

  • Nonpublic School Consultation Meeting Log

  • Minority Impact Statement - Required for all Iowa Grants

  • Include 5 MOUs to document your community partners

  • Sustainability Planning and MOU Template​

When you have reviewed these documents, you may begin the application.

• Online Application for Cohort XXI - 21st CCLC – Opening Soon!

Timeline:

• November 14, 2025 - Letter of Intent is due

• December 2025–January 2026 – Grant reviewers read and score applications for funding.

• January 2026 – Application reviewed by Department staff for compliance.

• February 2026 – Grant reviewers conference.

• April 2026 – Grant awards announced.

• May–June 2026 – Grant contracts finalized.

• July 1, 2026 – Program implementation may begin immediately with summer programming or with the beginning of the school year in August/September.

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Questions? 

All questions about application should be directed to Joe Collins at joe.collins@iowa.gov

All questions about online platform should be directed to Heidi Brown at hbrown@iowaafterschoolalliance.org

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