The NEA’s Great Public Schools Fund grants advance the goal of great public schools for every student by supporting professional excellence and building capacity for continual improvement and learning. GPS Fund grants are intended to help NEA State and Local Affiliates enhance the quality of public education by developing, implementing, and organizing around an agenda that engages members and emphasizes student-centered success and well-being through union-led efforts.
NEA State and Local Affiliates are eligible to apply for GPS Fund grants. Funding decisions are based on alignment with the NEA Professional Excellence Theory of Change, scale of potential impact, and alignment with NEA’s Leadership Competency “Leading our Professions.”
The goals of Great Public School (GPS) Fund grants are to:
- Generate and develop innovative ideas designed to promote sound practice.
- Capture key learnings that promote student success.
- Develop and deliver supports, created” by members, for members,” that promote professional excellence.
- Establish new organizational partnerships toward improving professional practice and aligning it with organizational priorities; and
- Cultivate sustainable programs to be reproduced and amplified by other Affiliates to make meaningful changes in public education for educators and students.
2026-27 Application Deadlines
The application process for the GPS Fund grant program has been revised to comply with new grant guidelines approved by the NEA Board of Directors.
Serious applicants are encouraged to e-mail [email protected] for additional resources to assist in completing an application.
Deadline for Application: February 1, 2027
Award Decision Notifications: No later than May 1, 2027
Application Link: Forthcoming
Click here to learn more about other grants available to Affiliates.
