High Ability Program Grant 2026-2027

• Public local educational agencies receive funding through a formula.
• Each LEA must submit one application for the entire district.
• Allocations are based on total student enrollment, grade levels served, and the number of students identified as high ability.

• Provide resources to serve as many high-ability students as possible.
• Support open identification processes and differentiated or accelerated instruction for identified high-ability students.
• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of K-12 high-ability services.

• August 14, 2026
• Next application cycle expected May 2027

Grant Cycle:

• Application opened May 15, 2026, with award notifications anticipated in October 2026.
• Expenditures are due June 30, 2027; reimbursement requests are due August 27, 2027; and final reports are due December 31, 2027. There is no reallocation period.

• $15 million is appropriated statewide for FY 2026-2027.
• Individual LEA allocations are determined by formula based on enrollment, grade levels served, and the number of students identified as high-ability.

• Identification materials, assessments, testing supplies, scoring services, and technical assistance.
• High ability-specific curriculum, instructional resources, core content materials, digital materials, technology, and STEM supplies.
• High ability-specific professional development, curriculum training, conferences, workshops, certification coursework, substitute pay, and eligible stipends.
• Formal program evaluation by experts in gifted education.

• LEGO® Education Science directly aligns with allowable high ability-specific curriculum and instruction resources, core content materials, digital resources, and STEM supplies. Districts can use the solution within differentiated, accelerated, or enriched science instruction designed specifically for identified high ability students.
• LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI directly aligns with allowable high ability-specific curriculum materials, technology, software, and online resources when implemented as part of the district’s high ability instructional program. Applications should position the solution as classroom curriculum supporting advanced problem-solving, inquiry, and enrichment, not as an extracurricular robotics program.
• LEGO® Education Professional Development aligns with allowable high ability-specific curriculum training and educator workshops. Training can support the grant’s identified priorities of curriculum differentiation, compacting, acceleration, enrichment, higher-order questioning, and shared or independent inquiry.

• Applications should clearly identify the high-ability students served, explain how each solution extends learning beyond general education, and ensure costs are proportionate to use within the high-ability program.
• Submit a detailed program plan addressing identification, differentiated curriculum and instruction, guidance and counseling, professional development, family connections, program evaluation, and the Broad-Based Planning Committee.
• Submit a detailed budget showing that expenditures benefit high-ability students and are reasonable, allocable, allowable, and beyond general education expenses.
• Applications must receive a Complete rating for all rubric indicators and include required SMART goals.

• Robotics extracurriculars, competitions, electives, transportation, and related salaries or stipends are not allowable.
• Applicants must complete the High Ability Program Plan and Budget Document in the Euna grant portal.
• The sample timeline directs applicants to attend a launch webinar in May, but the guidance does not provide a webinar date, recording, or Q&A information.
• Funds are distributed through reimbursement, and programmatic or budget changes require an amendment.
• For further questions about the application process, please reach out to the IDOE’s High Ability Specialist at studentpathways_highability@doe.in.gov.