ActiveAtlas Opportunity Score 86/100
California Serves Grant Program — 2026–27
Open California CDE school grant offering eligible LEAs up to $500,000 for service-learning. Notice of Intent is due September 8, 2026 at 4 PM PT and applications are due October 5, 2026 at 4 PM PT.
FundingUp to $500,000 per eligible LEA; up to $5 million annual statewide program budget
DeadlineOctober 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM PT; Notice of Intent to Apply due September 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM PT
Last verifiedAugust 30, 2026
Required next actionEligible California LEAs should verify the 55% unduplicated-pupil threshold and grade-12 service requirement, submit the Notice of Intent by September 8 at 4:00 PM PT, and prepare the CDE RFA application and official budget workbook for submission by October 5 at 4:00 PM PT. Atlas is not prioritizing an N9+ direct-vendor pursuit because the verified allowable-cost structure does not establish a clinical-technology pathway.
Broad Eligibility
California school districts, county offices of education, and direct-funded charter schools serving grade 12 and meeting the statutory threshold of at least 55% unduplicated pupils, subject to the controlling RFA. Consortium applications are permitted under the RFA structure.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score 86/100. Significant statewide school grant with up to $500,000 per eligible LEA and a broad potential applicant universe. N9+ Direct Vendor Fit 3/100 because verified allowable uses focus on service-learning planning, professional development, instructional materials, participation/travel, coordination personnel, and evaluation rather than telehealth, school-health technology, remote physical exams, or clinical services.
The California Department of Education is accepting applications for the 2026–27 California Serves Grant Program, which expands high-quality service-learning and access to the State Seal of Civic Engagement for grade 12 students.
Funding: the statewide annual grant budget is up to $5 million. Eligible local educational agencies may request up to $500,000.
Eligibility: eligible applicants are California local educational agencies serving grade 12 where at least 55 percent of enrolled pupils are unduplicated pupils under the applicable Education Code definition. The official program materials identify school districts, county offices of education, and direct-funded charter schools as eligible applicant types, subject to the RFA. Community agencies, private schools, individual public schools, state special schools, and prior California Serves grantees are not eligible as standalone applicants. Consortium applications are permitted under the RFA structure.
Key dates: a Notice of Intent to Apply is due September 8, 2026 by 4:00 PM PT. The full application is due October 5, 2026 by 4:00 PM PT.
Allowable uses: paid planning time, professional development, instructional materials, service-learning participation costs and travel, personnel coordination, and program-evaluation participation costs.
Atlas Opportunity Score: 86/100. The opportunity combines a substantial per-LEA award ceiling with a broad statewide applicant universe, but it is tightly focused on service-learning and civic engagement.
N9+ Direct Vendor Fit: 3/100. The verified allowable-cost structure does not establish a defensible telehealth, remote-exam, school-health technology, or clinical-service procurement path. Atlas is therefore treating this as a strong school-funding opportunity, not as a Dr. Miltie N9+ direct-vendor pursuit.
Source verificationOfficial government source · www.cde.ca.govAtlas last verified this record August 30, 2026. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
