Opportunity Overview
Open now. The Kentucky Department of Education, Office of Continuous Improvement and Support, is accepting applications for the FY27 Star Academy Grant through October 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. KDE’s current opportunity page labels the award amount as $1,000,000 and states that no matching funds are required. The controlling FY27 RFA confirms that KDE anticipates approximately one public school district award of $1,000,000 for the three-year Star Academy partnership, with no matching funds requirement.
Purpose
The grant supports implementation of an all-inclusive, STEM-driven, school-within-a-school Star Academy model. KDE describes Star Academy as serving at-risk students who would benefit from project-based, hands-on learning. The curriculum is designed for students in grades 7 and 8.
Eligibility and Application Controls
The controlling FY27 RFA limits applications to Kentucky public school districts. A district may submit only one application, and districts funded through the FY26 Star Academy Grant are not eligible for the FY27 competition. The RFA anticipates approximately one district award. Applicants must be able to dedicate the required school space and staffing, including five adjacent classrooms for the program and four dedicated core-subject teachers, and must serve at-risk students in grades 7 and 8 through the prescribed Star Academy model.
Funding
KDE’s current grant page lists $1,000,000 under Award Amount and states there is no matching funds requirement. The enacted 2026-2028 Budget of the Commonwealth provides $1,000,000 in FY 2027 for the Star Academy pilot and states that the appropriation supports five Star Academy schools. The controlling FY27 RFA resolves the applicant-level funding question: KDE anticipates approximately one public school district award of $1,000,000 for the three-year Star Academy partnership. The program funding covers the Star Academy program, including furniture, technology, and curriculum; district teacher salaries remain the district’s responsibility.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 88/100. The opportunity has substantial funding, no match requirement, a clear Kentucky K-12 implementation focus, and more than six weeks remaining before the deadline. The controlling FY27 RFA has now been reviewed. The opportunity remains highly actionable but is competitive because KDE anticipates approximately one FY27 district award and requires significant space, staffing, student-selection, and implementation readiness.
N9+ Fit: 0/100. The verified purpose is STEM-driven educational intervention for at-risk students in grades 7 and 8, not healthcare delivery, remote physical examination, telehealth, or school-based clinical services. N9+ should not be inserted into this opportunity.
Dr. Miltie/QC direct-vendor fit: low and not established. No legitimate direct-vendor role is apparent from the verified public listing. Applicant-led educational pursuit should be considered only after the controlling RFA is reviewed.
Next Action
Screen Kentucky public school districts that were not funded through the FY26 Star Academy Grant for documented at-risk student need, five-adjacent-classroom readiness, four dedicated core-subject teachers, and capacity to implement the prescribed model. Applications must be submitted electronically to KDERFP@education.ky.gov by October 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET using the RFA’s required PDF submission and redaction controls. Before ORIGINAL outreach, Atlas must also verify the district’s authoritative recipient, CRM opt-out and bounce state, and authoritative prior outreach history.
Official source: Kentucky Department of Education, Competitive Grants from KDE.