Final Application Period for $285 Million Teacher Incentive Fund Competition Announced, Charter Schools Eligible

The final application period for the $285 million Teacher Incentive Fund 2012 competition has been announced by the U.S. Department of Education, which expects to award about 30 grants ranging from $500,000 to $12 million for first-year funding. Charter schools are eligible and applications are due July 27, 2012.

“This round of the competition includes a new focus on supporting district-wide evaluation systems that reward success, offer greater professional opportunities, and drive decision-making on recruitment, development, and retention of effective teachers and principals,” according to the announcement. "The next round of funding will also invite applications for a separate competition that centers on improving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) instruction."