The Rural Schools Collaborative is announcing the 2024-25 Grants in Place Fellows Program, which aims to support rural classroom teachers in implementing Place-Based Education projects. This initiative is designed to enhance educational experiences by connecting students with their local communities and environments. Each selected Fellow will receive a grant of up to $2,500 to fund their project, which must be executed during the current school year. The program will culminate in a virtual Celebration of Learning, where participants will present their projects.

The primary purpose of the Grants in Place Fellows Program is to foster innovative educational practices in rural settings. By providing financial support, the program encourages teachers to develop and implement projects that engage students with their local context, thereby enriching their learning experiences. The program emphasizes the importance of place-based education, which integrates local culture, history, and environment into the curriculum.

Funding from this grant is specifically allocated for Place-Based Education projects. Each Fellow will receive a total award of up to $2,500, which can be used to cover various project-related expenses. The program does not require any matching funds, making it accessible for teachers who may have limited resources. The projects funded through this grant should be designed to take place within the current school year, allowing for timely implementation and impact.

Eligibility for the Grants in Place Fellows Program is limited to rural classroom teachers working in school districts located within one of the 17 Regional Hub areas identified by the Rural Schools Collaborative. Eligible states include Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Northern California, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This broad geographic scope aims to reach a diverse range of rural educators.

Submission requirements for the grant application are not explicitly detailed in the provided information. However, interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Rural Schools Collaborative website for further guidance and to access the application process. It is important for applicants to prepare their project proposals in alignment with the program's objectives and eligibility criteria.

The evaluation criteria for selecting grant recipients will likely focus on the project's relevance to place-based education, its potential impact on students and the community, and the feasibility of implementation. While specific evaluation metrics are not provided, applicants should consider how their projects will meet these general expectations.

The application deadline for the 2024-25 Grants in Place Fellows Program is set for October 6, 2024. This timeline allows educators ample time to develop their project proposals and submit them for consideration. For additional information or inquiries, interested parties can contact Savannah Franklund at the Rural Schools Collaborative via email at savannah@ruralschoolscollaborative.org.