U.S. Department of Education previews 2026 National Comprehensive Center competition, sets June 30 deadline
June 11, 2026 | U.S. Department of Education
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The U.S. Department of Education on a pre-application webinar outlined application requirements and selection criteria for the 2026 Comprehensive Centers Program National Center competition and said "the Department is accepting applications through June 30, 2026," (Dr. Michelle Daley).
The webinar, presented by Dr. Michelle Daley, Group Leader for the Comprehensive Centers Program in the Department's Office of Program and Grantee Support Services, described the National Center's role as the CCNetwork coordinator that provides concierge-level access to federal technical assistance, coordinates Regional and Content Centers, and disseminates tools and resources to States and other clients.
Why it matters: the National Center will set national coordination and support for Regional Comprehensive Centers, Content Centers, and the Institute for Education Sciences' Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs). The Department said applicants must meet statutory eligibility under Section 203(b) of the Education Technical Assistance Act (ETAA) and follow the detailed Application Notice and Instructions on Grants.gov.
Key application details: Applicants may seek awards for a National Comprehensive Center, Regional Comprehensive Centers, or Content Centers; each Center type has distinct absolute priorities, competitive preference priorities, and application requirements in the ANI. The webinar included the funding opportunity number ED-GRANTS-050826-001 and Assistance Listing Number 84.283B.
Competitive Preference Priority: The Department described the Competition Preference Priority "Returning Education to the States," noting that "the Department will award additional CPP points to a National Center applicant based on the number of States that have identified, designated or endorsed the applicant's proposal, as demonstrated by formal letter of designation or endorsement signed by the Governor or Chief State School Officer" (Dr. Michelle Daley). Applicants need at least one State endorsement to qualify under this CPP and were advised to include evidence (for example, a letter on official letterhead) with the application.
Program and post-award requirements: Daley said program requirements are established in the Comprehensive Centers Program final priorities published in the Federal Register on May 8, 2026. There are 14 Program Requirements for the National Center (five that apply to all Centers and nine specific to the National Center). Grantees must, among other items, develop annual service plans aligned to State-identified needs, implement performance management and evaluation systems, and participate in the Department's national evaluation required under ETAA Section 204.
Additional National Center expectations include producing CCNetwork tools and resources, coordinating Learning Agenda support with RELs and Regional Centers, soliciting and maintaining a national cadre of vetted subject matter experts with transparent information about reviews and pricing, and operating a concierge-style intake service to assess voluntary technical assistance requests.
Application requirements and budget guidance: Applicants must present a logic model and describe a process to identify urgent problems with CC clients, describe measures to monitor client progress, demonstrate expertise in providing relevant technical assistance, and include a budget narrative that outlines estimated costs for intensive, targeted, and universal capacity-building services. The webinar also specified an annual set-aside of 5% of the grant amount to support emerging needs.
Leadership and staffing: The Department requires dedicated leadership capacity post-award: the Project Director must be staffed at a minimum of 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) or the Project Director and Co-Director/Deputies must collectively meet at least 1.5 FTE. Applicants must describe proposed leadership structure and how they will meet the FTE requirements.
Selection criteria and scoring: Applications for National Centers will be evaluated under three criteria — Significance, Quality of Project Design, and Quality of the Management Plan — with a maximum possible score of 110 points before competitive preference points are applied. The ANI contains detailed subcriteria and point allocations; applicants were advised to follow the ANI ordering when preparing narratives.
Resources and next steps: Prospective applicants were directed to the full ANI and Application Package Instructions on Grants.gov and to recorded webinars and resources on the Comprehensive Centers program website for additional guidance. The Department closed by thanking participants and reminding applicants to consult the ANI and Grants.gov for official requirements.
The Department did not announce award amounts or a specific number of awards during the webinar.
The webinar, presented by Dr. Michelle Daley, Group Leader for the Comprehensive Centers Program in the Department's Office of Program and Grantee Support Services, described the National Center's role as the CCNetwork coordinator that provides concierge-level access to federal technical assistance, coordinates Regional and Content Centers, and disseminates tools and resources to States and other clients.
Why it matters: the National Center will set national coordination and support for Regional Comprehensive Centers, Content Centers, and the Institute for Education Sciences' Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs). The Department said applicants must meet statutory eligibility under Section 203(b) of the Education Technical Assistance Act (ETAA) and follow the detailed Application Notice and Instructions on Grants.gov.
Key application details: Applicants may seek awards for a National Comprehensive Center, Regional Comprehensive Centers, or Content Centers; each Center type has distinct absolute priorities, competitive preference priorities, and application requirements in the ANI. The webinar included the funding opportunity number ED-GRANTS-050826-001 and Assistance Listing Number 84.283B.
Competitive Preference Priority: The Department described the Competition Preference Priority "Returning Education to the States," noting that "the Department will award additional CPP points to a National Center applicant based on the number of States that have identified, designated or endorsed the applicant's proposal, as demonstrated by formal letter of designation or endorsement signed by the Governor or Chief State School Officer" (Dr. Michelle Daley). Applicants need at least one State endorsement to qualify under this CPP and were advised to include evidence (for example, a letter on official letterhead) with the application.
Program and post-award requirements: Daley said program requirements are established in the Comprehensive Centers Program final priorities published in the Federal Register on May 8, 2026. There are 14 Program Requirements for the National Center (five that apply to all Centers and nine specific to the National Center). Grantees must, among other items, develop annual service plans aligned to State-identified needs, implement performance management and evaluation systems, and participate in the Department's national evaluation required under ETAA Section 204.
Additional National Center expectations include producing CCNetwork tools and resources, coordinating Learning Agenda support with RELs and Regional Centers, soliciting and maintaining a national cadre of vetted subject matter experts with transparent information about reviews and pricing, and operating a concierge-style intake service to assess voluntary technical assistance requests.
Application requirements and budget guidance: Applicants must present a logic model and describe a process to identify urgent problems with CC clients, describe measures to monitor client progress, demonstrate expertise in providing relevant technical assistance, and include a budget narrative that outlines estimated costs for intensive, targeted, and universal capacity-building services. The webinar also specified an annual set-aside of 5% of the grant amount to support emerging needs.
Leadership and staffing: The Department requires dedicated leadership capacity post-award: the Project Director must be staffed at a minimum of 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) or the Project Director and Co-Director/Deputies must collectively meet at least 1.5 FTE. Applicants must describe proposed leadership structure and how they will meet the FTE requirements.
Selection criteria and scoring: Applications for National Centers will be evaluated under three criteria — Significance, Quality of Project Design, and Quality of the Management Plan — with a maximum possible score of 110 points before competitive preference points are applied. The ANI contains detailed subcriteria and point allocations; applicants were advised to follow the ANI ordering when preparing narratives.
Resources and next steps: Prospective applicants were directed to the full ANI and Application Package Instructions on Grants.gov and to recorded webinars and resources on the Comprehensive Centers program website for additional guidance. The Department closed by thanking participants and reminding applicants to consult the ANI and Grants.gov for official requirements.
The Department did not announce award amounts or a specific number of awards during the webinar.
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