Frequently Asked Questions:

The Utah Association of Public Charter Schools (UAPCS) anticipates awarding up to $10,000,000 in Charter School Growth Initiative subgrants during the December 2026 competition.

Eligible applicants may request up to $2,000,000 to support one of the eligible activities described in ESEA § 4303(b)(1):

• (a) opening and preparing for the operation of a new charter school;
• (b) opening and preparing for the operation of a replicated high-quality charter school; or
• (c) expanding a high-quality charter school.Applications from all three eligible categories will be evaluated together through a single competitive review process.

Beginning with the 3rd CSP round, which will be awarded in December 2026 funding will be based on application scores and the demonstrated quality and readiness of each proposal, regardless of whether the applicant is proposing a new school, a replication, or an expansion. This approach ensures that available funds are awarded to the highest-scoring, most competitive applications.

Subgrants will be funded for up to 42 months, including a maximum 18-month planning period and a 24-month implementation period. No subgrant may exceed 42 months. Awards are competitive, and continuation funding is contingent upon meeting grant objectives, demonstrating satisfactory progress, and complying with all applicable reporting and program requirements.

Over the next 5 years, we will use this grant to help new charter schools, or new campuses of existing charter schools, open. As part of that effort, we will expand our director incubator program, and provide more technical assistance to charter school applicants and charter schools.