The Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) provides $650 million in competitive grants to local education agencies (LEAs) and nonprofits with a record of improving student achievement through innovative practices demonstrated to have an impact on improving student achievement.

Applicants must demonstrate their previous success in closing achievement gaps, improving student progress toward proficiency, increasing graduation rates, or recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers and principals.

Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) Application and Priorities Released
Applications for these grants are due in mid-May and funds will be awarded in September to local educational agencies (LEAs) and to nonprofit organizations partnering with one or more LEAs or a consortium of schools. In the coming weeks, officials from the Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement will hold informational workshops in Atlanta, Baltimore, and Denver and corresponding Webinars. Visit the Ed.gov Web site to download the application, register for the Webinar, and find additional information.

• Call for Innovation Fund Peer Reviewers Deadline: 3/18/2010

Investing in Innovation (i3) Important Dates to Note
3/12: Federal Register announcement
3/19, 3/24, 3/30: Technical assistance workshops and Webinars
4/1: Intent to apply due date (not required, but strongly encouraged)
5/11: Application due date
Spring/Summer 2010: Applications reviewed
9/30/2010: Awards made

i3 Pre-Application Workshops and Webinars
Pre-application workshops are designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants for all three types of grants under the i3 fund. The workshops will be accessible via Webinar. The following are the session dates and times:
Baltimore, MD: Friday, March 19, 2010, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Denver, CO: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Atlanta, GA: Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (EST)