Governor Holcomb Announces $61 Million Education Relief Fund For Remote Learning

Monday, June 22, 2020 at 1:45 PM

“Our Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funds will help meet technology needs and grow educator development while working to reduce the disparities between districts.”

(Indianapolis, Ind.) — Governor Holcomb announced a $61.6 million grant program to provide schools around Indiana funding to improve remote learning.

PK-12 schools and higher education institutions are now able to apply for this needs-based, competitive program.

“Teachers, administrators and superintendents have faced this pandemic with innovative solutions to ensure our students continue to receive the best education possible,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Our Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funds will help meet technology needs and grow educator development while working to reduce the disparities between districts.”

The funding for remote learning received in Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funding, which was provided through the federal CARES Act, will focus on three areas, including:

Device Availability – Address the need for access to digital learning devices to support remote learning for students in PK-12.
Connectivity – Develop comprehensive community-level and regional-level solutions to address gaps in internet connectivity for remote learning.
Educator Capacity – Support partnerships between higher education and PK-12 to develop professional development and curriculum opportunities as educators throughout Indiana continue to build expertise in remote learning.

The Governor’s Office, the Indiana Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana State Board of Education expects to award dozens of grants.

While there is no minimum or maximum, grants may not be funded at the full amount requested. Traditional public school corporations, public charter schools, accredited non-public schools, higher education institutions, and other education-related entities are eligible to apply.

Applications are due by Friday, July 17.