2026-27 Public Charter Schools Grant Program Start-Up Subgrant

CA Department of Education · State of California

At a glance

2026-27 Public Charter Schools Grant Program Start-Up Subgrant is a closed California state grant opportunity from CA Department of Education (State of California). The application deadline was August 14, 2026. Individual awards are listed as $250K – $1.9M, with $33.7M in total estimated funding. Applicant types listed as eligible include nonprofit and public agency. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing is not required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Jun 12, 2026Posted
Aug 14, 2026Application deadline

Opened: Jun 12, 2026
Close date: Aug 14, 2026
Award floor: $250,000
Award ceiling: $1,900,000
Est. total funding: $33,666,515
Expected awards: Not specified
Matching funds: Not required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: Federal — The PCSGP is a subgrant program funded by 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.
Matching funds: Not Required
Funding method: Reimbursement(s) — PCSGP Start-Up Subgrant base funding levels vary according to subgrant type and the proposed instructional type, based on the percentage of classroom-based instructional time required at a physical school site. In addition to the base funding level, a charter school may qualify for additional supplemental funding if they meet specified criteria, which may further support charter school start-up funding needs, over a 36-month performance period.
Estimated number of awards: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: 10/01/26 - 09/30/29
Expected award announcement: 10/21/26
Letter of intent: Not required
Geography: Supplemental funding has been structured to encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods pursuant to state law, provide parents/guardians and students with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system pursuant to state law, and provide additional support for targeted student groups and high-cost programs.
How to submit: By email: PCSGP@cde.ca.gov
Latest change note: Removed the word "classroom-based" from the Grant Description.

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Nonprofit
Public Agency

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

The eligibility requirements described below are not exhaustive. Applicants should review the entire Request for Applications (RFA), including all eligibility requirements, definitions, assurances, and submission requirements, to determine eligibility for funding. PCSGP applicants must be a non-profit entity or Local Education Agency at the time of application submission. Individuals and for-profit entities will not meet eligibility requirements.

Also named in the notice's eligibility text

For-profit organizations (not small businesses)

Matched from the wording above by GrantsJunction — confirm in the full announcement.

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

Purpose

The Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP) is a discretionary grant program administered by the California Department of Education, on behalf of the State Board of Education, through funding awarded by the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP). CSP grants awards to State Entities that, in turn, award subgrants to eligible applicants for the purpose of opening new charter schools and replicating and expanding high-quality charter schools.

Description

Effective October 1, 2024, California was awarded a $93 million federal CSP grant and plans to distribute 70 PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants to new, replicating, and expanding charter schools. For fiscal year 2026-27, California has an approved pipeline and budget to award approximately 26 subgrants. The actual number and type of subgrants awarded during each Request for Applications (RFA) competition may vary based on demand. If all authorized awards are not approved for funding, California may open additional RFA competition events for new applicants until allocated funds have been awarded. The submission of the Intent to Apply Form is recommended by July 20, 2026. The Intent to Apply Form can be found on the California Department of Education web site by using the link provided in this posting. Please submit the Intent to Apply Form by email to PCSGP@cde.ca.gov. There are three PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants offered through this RFA: New School (Planning and Implementation), Replication, and Expansion. A newly established or conversion charter school may be eligible for a Planning, Implementation, or Replication subgrant provided that the school did not begin serving students prior to July 1, 2024. An established charter school may be eligible for an Expansion subgrant. PCSGP applications are reviewed by peer evaluators and awarded to school developers to assist in the development and initial operations of newly established/conversion/expanding charter schools. A developer, as defined by Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) section 4310(5), must have an approved charter petition from an authorized public chartering authority by the due date of the RFA. If the charter school has an approved charter petition, but is not yet serving students, the applicant must include proof of charter petition approval as part of the PCSGP application. All applicants must submit proof the applicant has notified the authorizer of their intent to apply for PCSGP start-up subgrant funds.

Program page on the agency site ↗

Program contact (as published)

Grant Program Office
PCSGP@cde.ca.gov
1-916-322-6029

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “2026-27 Public Charter Schools Grant Program Start-Up Subgrant”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Nonprofit and Public Agency. It adds: “The eligibility requirements described below are not exhaustive. Applicants should review the entire Request for Applications (RFA), including all eligibility requirements, definitions, assurances, and submission requirements, to determine eligibility for funding. PCSGP applicant…” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “2026-27 Public Charter Schools Grant Program Start-Up Subgrant”?

Per the notice, individual awards are listed as $250k – $1.9m and total estimated program funding is $33,666,515.

How do I apply for “2026-27 Public Charter Schools Grant Program Start-Up Subgrant”?

Applications go directly to CA Department of Education, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: by email to PCSGP@cde.ca.gov. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

Other open California state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.

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