Connecticut State Department of Education

2025 RFPs

Academic Office

RFP:854
Application for Approval Connecticut Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) (PDF)
Application for Approval Connecticut Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) (Word Document)

Purpose: In an effort to reduce barriers, to expand opportunities, and to modernize to elevate the CTSO experience for CTE students the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is accepting applications for new organizations to be recognized as CTSOs to be able to leverage Perkins funding. In alignment with the Connecticut State Board of Education's (CSBE) Comprehensive Five-Year Plan for Education, we seek organizations that create opportunities for students to explore multiple career pathways through coordinated and rigorous programs developed in partnership with higher education institutions and local/regional employers.

The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) ensures that students are prepared for 21st Century careers, both for their individual benefit and so that business and industry have the skilled workers they need to stay economically competitive. As defined by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) is "an organization for individuals enrolled in a career and technical education (CTE) program that engages in CTE activities as an integral part of the instructional program." CTSOs are one of the foundational pillars and a necessary function that constitutes a high quality CTE program that meets the size, scope, and quality as defined by federal guidance. CTSOs play a vital role in preparing students for successful careers through leadership development, hands-on learning experiences, and meaningful connections with industry professionals.

Date Posted: April 1, 2025
Application Deadline: May 2, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: Sean McKeown@ct.gov
Phone: 860-874-8982

RFP:818
Perkins Supplemental Enhancement Grant (PDF)

Purpose: The Perkins supplemental enhancement grant was created to assist Perkins V secondary recipients in offering programs, practices, and strategies that prepare individuals for nontraditional fields and/or promote the development, implementation, and adoption of programs of study or career pathways aligned with State-identified high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations or industries. 

Date Posted: January 9, 2025
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: harold.mackin@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6779

Office of Strategic Planning and Partnerships

RFP:846
Interdistrict Magnet School Capital Improvement Grant (Word Document)

Purpose: To provide funding for capital improvement costs at existing interdistrict magnet schools operated by Regional Educational Service Centers (RESCs) and Goodwin University Educational Services (GUES) support specialized programming, rehabilitate facilities, and facilitate schools’ ability to meet enrollment standards by enhancing educational environments.

Date Posted: November 13, 2025
Application Deadline: November 24, 2025
Bidders' Conference: November 6, 2025, 10:00-11:00 a.m
Questions and Answers (Word Document)

Contact: meliha.korkutovic@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6939

RFP:001
Interdistrict Cooperative Grant Program 2026-27 (Word Document)

Purpose: To maintain a competitive grant program for the purpose of assisting local and regional boards of education, regional educational service centers and nonsectarian, nonprofit organizations with the establishment of interdistrict cooperative programs that increase student achievement and reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation.

Application Deadline: February 6, 2026
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: meliha.korkutovic@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6939

RFP:860
 Open Choice Program Grant-In-Aid (PDF)
Open Choice Program Grant-In-Aid (Word Document)

Purpose: This grant supports the academic and social success of students in the Open Choice Program through comprehensive wrap-around services. These include academic tutoring, family engagement, experiential learning, college and career readiness programs, and other targeted supports that promote student achievement and overall development.

Application Deadline: September 19, 2025
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: janet.foster@ct.gov and meliha.korkutovic@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6561 and 860-713-6939

Regional School Choice Office

RFP:838
 Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Academic and Social Support Athletics Programming Grant (PDF)
Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Academic and Social Support Athletics Programming Grant (Word Document)

Purpose: To increase the involvement and enhance the experience of students participating in athletic programming at Sheff interdistrict magnet middle and high schools. 

Date Posted: July 15, 2025
Application Deadline: August 22, 2025
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: kerry.mattson@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6487

RFP: 835
Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Academic and Social Support Extracurricular Programs Grant (PDF)
Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Academic and Social Support Extracurricular Programs Grant (Word Docuement)

Purpose: Through this grant, the CSDE seeks to continue to expand and develop sustainable enrichment and extracurricular programming opportunities for students attending interdistrict magnet schools in the Sheff Region to provide continuous opportunities to access integrated settings that support social, emotional, and academic growth.

The goal of the Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Academic and Social Support Extracurricular Programs Grant is to increase the involvement and participation of students in enrichment/extracurricular activities to support academic development, students’ social-emotional well-being, and build community among student participants pursuant to the commitments in the Comprehensive School Choice Plan. Thus, the purpose of this grant is to serve four (4) key priorities:

  • provide students with access to enriching academic activities and supports to promote student achievement, skills development and leadership; 
  • increase in-school and out-of-school extracurricular enrichment opportunities to promote academic and social engagement; 
  • build school community among student participants in Sheff interdistrict magnet programs through fun and engaging enrichment and extracurricular activities; and
  • support student social-emotional development of student participants.

Date Posted: June 5, 2025
Application Deadline: July 18, 2025
Bidders' Conference: June 24, 2025, from10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Join the Meeting

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
Join the Meeting
June 17, 2025 Bidders' Conference recording
Questions and Answers (PDF)

To request a Teams Meeting calendar invitation or a recording of the conference, please email Kerry Mattson.

Contact: kerry.mattson@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6487

RFP:856
 Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment (PDF)
Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment (Word Document)

Purpose: Through this grant, the Connecticut State Department of Education seeks to expand enrichment and extracurricular programming opportunities to include summer enrichment offerings for interdistrict magnet schools in the Sheff Region to provide continuous opportunities to access integrated settings that support social, emotional, and academic growth. The goal of the Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools Summer Enrichment Grant is to increase the involvement and participation of students in summer enrichment/extracurricular activities to support academic development, students’ social-emotional well-being, and build community among student participants pursuant to the State's commitments in the Comprehensive School Choice Plan (PDF). Thus, the purpose of this grant is to serve four (4) key priorities: 1) provide students with access to enriching academic activities and supports through summer programming to promote student achievement, skills development and leadership; 2) provide a continuum of academic and extracurricular enrichment between school years to promote academic and social engagement over the summer months; 3) build school community among student participants in Sheff interdistrict magnet programs through fun and engaging enrichment and extracurricular activities; and 4) support student social-emotional development of student participants.

Date Posted: March 21, 2025
Application Deadline: April 11, 2025
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: kerry.mattson@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6487

RFP:857
 Sheff Open Choice Summer Enrichment (PDF)
Sheff Open Choice Summer Enrichment (Word Document)

Purpose: Through this grant, the Connecticut State Department of Education seeks to expand enrichment and extracurricular programming opportunities to include summer enrichment offerings for Open Choice Districts in the Sheff Region to provide continuous opportunities to access integrated settings that support social, emotional, and academic growth. The goal of the Sheff Open Choice Summer Enrichment Grant is to increase the involvement and participation of students in summer enrichment/extracurricular activities to support academic development, students’ social-emotional well-being, and build community among student participants pursuant to the State's commitments in the Comprehensive School Choice Plan (PDF). Thus, the purpose of this grant is to serve four (4) key priorities: 1) provide students with access to enriching academic activities and supports through summer programming to promote student achievement, skills development and leadership; 2) provide a continuum of academic and extracurricular enrichment between school years to promote academic and social engagement over the summer months; 3) build school community among student participants in the Sheff Open Choice program and resident students through fun and engaging enrichment and extracurricular activities; and 4) support student social-emotional development of student participants.

Date Posted: March 21, 2025
Application Deadline: April 11, 2025
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: kerry,mattson@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6487


School Health, Nutrition, and Family Services

RFP:824 

Parent Trust Fund Request for Proposal (PDF)
Parent Trust Fund Request for Proposal (Word Document)

Purpose: To support programs aimed at improving the health, safety, and education of children by training parents in civic leadership skills and supporting increased, sustained, and quality parental engagement in community affairs (Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-4u). 

Date Posted: August 27, 2025
Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
Bidder's Conference: September 3, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registration is required: Parent Trust Fund RFP Bidders Meeting Registration

Contact: judy.carson@ct.gov
Phone: 860-807-2122

RFP:972

National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant (PDF)
National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant (Word Document)

Purpose: The Connecticut State Department of Education is now accepting applications for the National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant. This grant was developed to provide funding for school districts (school food authorities - SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program to purchase food service equipment needed to meet nutritional standards for schools, ensure food safety, improve operation and efficiency, and/or expand participation in Child Nutrition Programs. 

Date Posted: July 2, 2025
Application Deadline: July 25, 2025
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: sean.fogarty@ct.gov
Phone: 860-807-2055

RFP: 026

Primary Mental Health Program (PDF)
Primary Mental Health Scoring Rubric (PDF)

Purpose: To assist Connecticut school districts to better serve at-risk primary grade children through the availability of an early intervention mental health program for the detection and prevention of emotional, behavioral and learning problems.

Date Posted: May 12, 2025
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
Bidders' Conference: TBA

Contact: agnes.quinones@ct.gov
Phone: 860-807-2126

RFP: 999
Overview and Guidance for the 2025-27 After-School Grant Program for Grades K-12 Applicants and 2025-27 After-School Scoring Rubric
After School Grant (PDF)
After School Grant Rubric (PDF)

Purpose: To implement or expand high-quality programs outside school hours that offer educational enrichment and recreational activities that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of students in grades K-12. 

Date Posted: May 5, 2025
Application Deadline: Grants must have status of “LEA Superintendent Approval” in the Electronic Grant Management System (eGMS) by 11:59 P.M. June 24, 2025.
Bidders' Conference: May 14, 2025

Contact: agnes.quinones@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 807-2126

RFP:849
Chefs to Schools (PDF)
Chefs to Schools (Word Document)

Purpose: The Connecticut State Department of Education is now accepting proposals from Alliance Districts only for the Chefs to Schools program with the purpose of embedding professional chefs to assist with school meal programs. 

Date Posted: January 8, 2025
Applicationn Deadline: February 5, 2025
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: sean.fogarty@ct.gov
Phone: 860-807-2055

Special Education

Request for Application for Surrogate Parents for 2026-27 (Word Document)
Application form (PDF)

Purpose: The Surrogate Parent Program is a federally mandated program (34 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] § 300.519) that provides educational advocacy services for children and youth under the jurisdiction of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) (foster children) or an unaccompanied minor or homeless youth (34 CFR § 300.519[f]), who need or may need special education. 

Date Posted: November 14, 2025 
Application Deadline: January 30, 2026, 5 p.m. 
Bidder's Conference: N/A 

Contact: Surrogate.Application@ct.gov


Turnaround Office

RFP:820
 FY26 ESSA Competitive School Improvement Grant (SIG) (PDF)
FY26 ESSA Competitive School Improvement Grant (SIG) (Word Document)

Purpose: The 1003 School Improvement Grant, authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), provides states and districts with funds to leverage change and turn around chronically underperforming schools. Schools eligible for this competitive grant are Title I schools designated as Focus or Turnaround schools that do not currently receive SIG funding.

Date Posted: June 18, 2025
Application Deadline: August 1, 2025
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: amanda.baksa@ct.gov and jennifer.webb@ct.gov 
Phone: 860-713-6513 and 860-713-6603

RFP:128
 State Charter Building Project, General Improvements and/or Debt Repayments for School Building Projects (PDF)
State Charter Building Project, General Improvements and/or Debt Repayments for School Building Projects (Word Document)

Purpose: To provide funding to assist state charter schools in financing school building projects, general improvements to school buildings, and/or the repayment of debt incurred for school building projects.

Date Posted: March 24, 2025
Application Deadline: May 16, 2025
Bidders' Conference: N/A

Contact: felicia.canty@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6573