US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

20 U.S.C. § 7261

Grants for education innovation and research

(a)

Program authorized

(1)

In general

section 7251(b)(2)(A) of this titleFrom funds reserved under , the Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to—
(A)
create, develop, implement, replicate, or take to scale entrepreneurial, evidence-based, field-initiated innovations to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students; and
(B)
rigorously evaluate such innovations, in accordance with subsection (e).
(2)

Description of grants

The grants described in paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)
early-phase grants to fund the development, implementation, and feasibility testing of a program, which prior research suggests has promise, for the purpose of determining whether the program can successfully improve student achievement or attainment for high-need students;
(B)
mid-phase grants to fund implementation and a rigorous evaluation of a program that has been successfully implemented under an early-phase grant described in subparagraph (A) or other effort meeting similar criteria, for the purpose of measuring the program’s impact and cost effectiveness, if possible using existing administrative data; and
(C)
expansion grants to fund implementation and a rigorous replication evaluation of a program that has been found to produce sizable, important impacts under a mid-phase grant described in subparagraph (B) or other effort meeting similar criteria, for the purposes of—
(i)
determining whether such impacts can be successfully reproduced and sustained over time; and
(ii)
identifying the conditions in which the program is most effective.
(b)

Eligible entity

In this subpart, the term “eligible entity” means any of the following:
(1)
A local educational agency.
(2)
A State educational agency.
(3)
The Bureau of Indian Education.
(4)
A consortium of State educational agencies or local educational agencies.
(5)
A nonprofit organization.
(6)
A State educational agency, a local educational agency, a consortium described in paragraph (4), or the Bureau of Indian Education, in partnership with—
(A)
a nonprofit organization;
(B)
a business;
(C)
an educational service agency; or
(D)
an institution of higher education.
(c)

Rural areas

(1)

In general

In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that not less than 25 percent of the funds made available for any fiscal year are awarded for programs that meet both of the following requirements:
(A)
The grantee is—
(i)
a local educational agency with an urban-centric district locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary;
(ii)
a consortium of such local educational agencies;
(iii)
an educational service agency or a nonprofit organization in partnership with such a local educational agency; or
(iv)
a grantee described in clause (i) or (ii) in partnership with a State educational agency.
(B)
A majority of the schools to be served by the program are designated with a locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, or a combination of such codes, as determined by the Secretary.
(2)

Exception

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary shall reduce the amount of funds made available under such paragraph if the Secretary does not receive a sufficient number of applications of sufficient quality.

(d)

Matching funds

In order to receive a grant under subsection (a), an eligible entity shall demonstrate that the eligible entity will provide matching funds, in cash or through in-kind contributions, from Federal, State, local, or private sources in an amount equal to 10 percent of the funds provided under such grant, except that the Secretary may waive the matching funds requirement, on a case-by-case basis, upon a showing of exceptional circumstances, such as—
(1)
the difficulty of raising matching funds for a program to serve a rural area;
(2)
the difficulty of raising matching funds in areas with a concentration of local educational agencies or schools with a high percentage of students aged 5 through 17—
(A)
who are in poverty, as counted in the most recent census data approved by the Secretary;
(B)
42 U.S.C. 1751 who are eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( et seq.);
(C)
42 U.S.C. 601 whose families receive assistance under the State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act ( et seq.); or
(D)
who are eligible to receive medical assistance under the Medicaid program; and
(3)
the difficulty of raising funds on tribal land.
(e)

Evaluation

Each recipient of a grant under this section shall conduct an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the program carried out under such grant.

(f)

Technical assistance

section 7251(b)(2)(A) of this titleThe Secretary may reserve not more than 5 percent of the funds appropriated under for each fiscal year to—
(1)
provide technical assistance for eligibility entities, which may include pre-application workshops, web-based seminars, and evaluation support; and
(2)
to disseminate best practices.

Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4611Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, § 4601129 Stat. 2021(, as added , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

act June 4, 1946, ch. 28160 Stat. 230section 1751 of Title 42The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(B), is , , which is classified generally to chapter 13 (§ 1751 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 53149 Stat. 620section 1305 of Title 42The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(C), is , . Part A of title IV of the Act is classified generally to part A (§ 601 et seq.) of subchapter IV of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 114–95, § 5129 Stat. 1806Prior sections 7261 to 7261f were repealed by , title IV, § 4001(b)(1)(C), , , 1967, effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5501Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1841Section 7261, , as added , , , provided that subpart 10 of part D of former subchapter V of this chapter could be cited as the “Carol M. White Physical Education Program”.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5301Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3701Pub. L. 107–110Another prior section 7261, , as added , , , provided that part C of former subchapter V of this chapter could be cited as the “School Dropout Assistance Act”, prior to the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by .

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5502Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1841Section 7261a, , as added , , , provided purpose of former subpart.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5503Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1841Section 7261b, , as added , , , authorized program.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5504Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1841Section 7261c, , as added , , , related to application requirement.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5505Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1842Section 7261d, , as added , , , related to annual report to Secretary and administrative expenses.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5506Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1842Section 7261e, , as added , , , related to other administrative provisions.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5507Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1842Section 7261f, , as added , , , provided that funds were to supplement, not supplant, any other Federal, State, or local funds.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5302Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3701Pub. L. 107–110A prior section 7262, , as added , , , which set forth purpose of the School Dropout Assistance Act, was omitted in the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by .

Pub. L. 114–95, § 5129 Stat. 1806Prior sections 7263 to 7263b were repealed by , title IV, § 4001(b)(1)(C), , , 1967, effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5511Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1843Section 7263, , as added , , , related to purpose and program authorization.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5303Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3701Pub. L. 107–110Another prior section 7263, , as added , , , related to grants to local educational agencies, prior to the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by .

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5512Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1843Section 7263a, , as added , , , related to eligibility and application requirements.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5513Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1844Section 7263b, , as added , , , related to uses of funds.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5404 [5304]Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3703Pub. L. 107–110A prior section 7264, , as added , , , which related to application for school dropout assistance, was omitted in the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by .

Pub. L. 114–95, § 5129 Stat. 1806Prior sections 7265 to 7265e were repealed by , title IV, § 4001(b)(1)(C), , , 1967, effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5521Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1845Section 7265, , as added , , , provided that subpart 12 of part D of former subchapter V of this chapter could be cited as the “Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Education Through Cultural and Historical Organizations Act”.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5305Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3704Pub. L. 107–110Another prior section 7265, , as added , , , related to use of grants for dropout prevention activities, prior to the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by .

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5522Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1845Pub. L. 109–149, title III, § 306(1)119 Stat. 2870Section 7265a, , as added , , ; amended , , , related to findings and purposes.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5523Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1846Pub. L. 109–149, title III, § 306(2)119 Stat. 2870Section 7265b, , as added , , ; amended , , , related to program authorization.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5524Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1847Section 7265c, , as added , , , related to administrative provisions.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5525Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1847Pub. L. 109–149, title III, § 306(3)119 Stat. 2870Section 7265d, , as added , , ; amended , , , related to availability of funds.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5526Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1848Section 7265e, , as added , , , defined terms.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5306Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3706Pub. L. 107–110A prior section 7266, , as added , , , which related to distribution of assistance and limitation on costs, was omitted in the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by .

Pub. L. 114–95, § 5129 Stat. 1806Prior sections 7267 to 7267f were repealed by , title IV, § 4001(b)(1)(C), , , 1967, effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5531Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1848Section 7267, , as added , , , provided that subpart 13 of part D of former subchapter V of this chapter could be cited as the “Excellence in Economic Education Act of 2001”.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5307Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3706Pub. L. 107–110Another prior section 7267, , as added , , , related to reports, prior to the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by .

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5532Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1848Section 7267a, , as added , , , related to purpose and goals.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5533Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1848Section 7267b, , as added , , , authorized a grant program.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5534Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1849Section 7267c, , as added , , , related to grant applications.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5535Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1850Section 7267d, , as added , , , related to requirements for grantees and subgrant recipients.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5536Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1850Section 7267e, , as added , , , related to administrative provisions.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5537Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1851Section 7267f, , as added , , , provided that funds were to supplement, not supplant, any other Federal, State, or local funds.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5308Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3706Pub. L. 107–110A prior section 7268, , as added , , , which authorized appropriations for school dropout assistance, was omitted in the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by .

Pub. L. 114–95, § 5129 Stat. 1806Prior sections 7269 and 7269a were repealed by , title IV, § 4001(b)(1)(C), , , 1967, effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5541Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1851Section 7269, , as added , , , authorized grants for the integration of schools and mental health systems.

Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5542Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501115 Stat. 1853Section 7269a, , as added , , , related to promotion of school readiness through early childhood emotional and social development.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95section 6301 of this titleSection effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as an Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note under .