The Library of Congress Offers Grants to Support the Creation of Civics Apps

The Library of Congress is offering up to $950,000 to one or more grantees to support the development of Web- and mobile-based applications for K-12 education. To be eligible, apps must deal with the subjects of Congress and civic participation.

The Library is looking for organizations to work with its Teaching With Primary Sources (TPS) program, so the selected partners will be expected to use and incorporate not only the Library’s online primary sources, but also the many other resources available online from the Library of Congress.

Those eligible to apply include public, private, not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, including colleges, universities, cultural institutions, other educational organizations, collaborative partnerships (such as an organization with content expertise paired with an organization possessing technological expertise), states, public or private agencies (including for-profit agencies) and Native American tribes and tribal organizations.

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate a record of success in developing and implementing curriculum on Congress and civic participation, as well as developing and maintaining online interactives or mobile apps for classroom use.

The total amount of funding available is $950,000, but there is no minimum award amount. Individual funding levels will depend on the content and quality of applications, as well as the number of applications received. The grants will support program activities for 24 months, from October 2015 through September 2017.

The application deadline is May 31, 2015. For more information, application requirements, and selection criteria, see the “Notice of Funds Availability” here.

About the Author

Christopher Piehler is the former editor-in-chief of THE Journal.

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