Opportunity Overview
The Georgia Department of Education, working with the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia, is accepting applications for the 2026-27 Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration (GOLD) Grant. The program supports outdoor learning for Georgia public-school students through new, revitalized, or expanded projects.
Funding and Deadline
Individual grants range from $500 to $5,000, and the FY27 solicitation anticipates at least 18 awards. The program partner’s live 2026-27 GOLD page states that the deadline has been extended to Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. The current extension notice publishes the exact clock time but does not state a deadline time zone. Matching funds are not required.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include Georgia public schools, multiple public schools, school districts, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations collaborating with public schools, and public agencies collaborating with public schools. Georgia public-school students must be the primary beneficiaries. Organizations that received a GOLD award in the 2025-26 grant cycle must wait one school year before applying again.
Allowable Uses
Eligible activities include professional learning for teachers, schoolyard improvements and outdoor-learning amenities, student supplies and equipment, and field trips tied to nature, environmental projects, or outdoor investigations. Any request should advance outdoor learning and use a clear, itemized budget.
Required Application Materials
The current RFA requires the application form, a budget template with itemized expenditures and budget narrative, and a signature form signed by the grant contact and the superintendent, CEO, or authorized designee. The live application also requests school and district information, current Title I and related need indicators, prior GOLD Grant history, the project narrative, requested amount, and the district Federal Grants Specialist contact.
Selection and Timing
Applications are reviewed for completeness, responsiveness, merit, need indicators, and geographic distribution. Award notifications are expected by December 2026. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2027, with closeout reporting due in July 2027.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 83/100. This is a practical Georgia school and education opportunity with a short application window, no match requirement, flexible outdoor-learning uses, and a manageable award size that can support discrete school-level projects.
N9+ Fit: 0/100. QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. This is an education and outdoor-learning grant rather than a healthcare procurement or clinical-technology opportunity. Atlas should focus on credible schoolyard, outdoor classroom, environmental learning, teacher training, field-experience, and student-equipment projects.
Official Sources
Controlling RFA: Georgia Department of Education FY27 GOLD Grant RFA
Program page: Environmental Education Alliance 2026-27 GOLD Grants