School construction grants provide large amounts of funding to educational facilities, ranging from prekindergarten to college. Schools that are eligible for these are grants must prove need for work that promotes heightened environmentally friendly schools, districts and neighborhood. Along with improving the sustainability of a building, construction on a school must also relate specifically to improving the quality of education. These eligible repairs relate to expanding classrooms or the school structure itself, repairing worn-down facilities and updating old equipment.

Academic Research Infrastructure Program: Recovery and Reinvestment

The Academic Research Infrastructure Program (ARI) grant is aims to update academic research facilities, in educational facilities such as schools and also in museums and laboratories. The goal is to improve research facilities to aid in more hands-on learning environments. The grant is not specifically for the creation of new research structures, but rather for repairing or updating existing research facilities. Grant awards can reach over $2,000,000. Requests for grants under $2,000,000 do not require a site visit by the NSF. To apply, all interested candidates must submit a grant proposal to the National Science Foundation.

The National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22230 703-292-5111 nsf.gov

Impact Aid Section 8007 School Construction Funds

Under the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009, grants titled "discretionary grants" can be awarded to K-12 schools for a wide array of construction projects aimed at helping improve the existing structure of the school. Grants can help cover the costs of preparing construction plans and obtaining necessary resources, as well as repairing and expanding school classrooms. Grants can also cover the costs of updating facilities like libraries and laboratories. Award values vary in relation to the amount requested for each project.

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202 202-401-0113 www2.ed.gov

Illinois School Construction Program

The Illinois State Board of Education and the Capital Development Board offer grants for elementary and secondary schools in Illinois for the replacement and repair of damaged school structures, replacement of old buildings, expansion to ameliorate overcrowding in classrooms, replacement of facilities that are hazardous, and to offer facilities for those with disabilities. Applications are due April 1st of every year to the State Board of Education.

Illinois Capital Development Board Marcy Joerger, Administrator for School Construction 217-782-8708 cdb.state.il.us

Educational Facilities Clearinghouse

The Educational Facilities Clearinghouse, through the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, provides funding for the drawing up of plans, obtaining of resources, and general construction of new classrooms, wings or entire structures of public schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to college.The grant specifically seeks to ensure the maintenance of facilities and structures in the future to plan for expanding classrooms and changing educational needs and facilities. The award value does not exceed $1,000,000. Interested applicants must apply electronically by June 30 of each year through the e-Grants website.

U.S. Department of Education 550 12th Street, SW., 10th Floor Washington, DC 20202 303-346–0924 grants.gov