2014 Investing in Innovation (i3) Validation and Scale-Up Competition

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the 2014 grant competition for the Investing in Innovation (i3) program’s Scale-up and Validation categories that can help close achievement gaps and improve educational outcomes for the neediest students. The i3 program aims to develop and expand practices that accelerate student achievement and prepare students to succeed in college and their careers.

• Validation grants fund the expansion of projects supported by moderate evidence of effectiveness (as defined by the ED) to the national level.
• Scale-up grants fund the expansion of projects supported by strong evidence of effectiveness (as defined by the ED) to the national or regional level. In addition to improving outcomes for an increasing number of high-need students, Scale-up grants will generate information about students and contexts for which a practice is most effective.

School districts and nonprofit organizations, in partnership with districts or schools, are eligible to compete for up to $12 million in Validation grants to fund projects with moderate evidence of effectiveness, and up to $20 million in Scale-up grants to fund projects with strong evidence of effectiveness and enable expansion across the country.

Applications for the Scale-up and Validation grants are due June 24, 2014.