The U.S. Department of Education has announced the opening of applications for a new American History and Civics (AHC) Seminars discretionary grant program, coinciding with America's 250th birthday celebration. The program aims to provide grantees an opportunity to educate students about the nation's founding principles and responsibilities of citizenship.
Hayley Sanon, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, stated, "As our nation’s 250th birthday approaches, the Department of Education is providing grantees with an opportunity to celebrate the roots of our constitutional republic and teach students about America’s Founding principles and the responsibilities of citizenship. This new program will fund seminars that equip educators and students with the knowledge and civic values needed to uphold the freedoms we enjoy."
The Department's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education plans to conduct informational webinars to assist applicants interested in grants under this program. Applicants are required to design evidence-based seminars focused on American history and civics, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding.
These seminars should cover essential aspects of American political tradition, including ideas, traditions, institutions, and texts crucial to American constitutional government. Emphasis will be placed on first principles as outlined in foundational documents such as the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
Priority consideration will be given to higher education institutions with independent academic units dedicated to civic thought, constitutional studies, American history, political leadership, or free market economics. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit an Intent to Apply by July 2, 2025.
Further details can be found in the Federal Register Notice. Questions regarding this grant opportunity can be directed via email at AmericanHistoryandCivics@ED.gov.
