Critical National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) Grant Program
News and Announcements
The application period is now open for the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Critical National Security Language (NSLI) competitive grants for Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026. School divisions may apply for this competitive grant program in the Survey Monkey Apply portal using the NSLI Grant online application. The deadline for divisions to submit completed applications is October 31, 2024. Also available on the website is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section that will be updated as needed with questions received during the application process.
Background
The Critical National Security Language Grant was first established as part of the Appropriations Act in 2023. Funding for the grant awards for each new cycle is dependent on renewed appropriations from the General Assembly.
For Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026 Grants
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 2. ITEM 124, PARAGRAPH CCC OF THE APPROPRIATION ACT FOR THE 2024-2026 BIENNIUM.
CCC. Out of this appropriation, $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the Critical National Security Language Grant program. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) shall create and publish an application and process for local school divisions to apply for the existing funding by October 1, 2024.
For Fiscal Year 2024 Grants
PURSUANT TO ITEM 138.10, PARAGRAPH L OF THE APPROPRIATION ACT as adopted on September 14, 2023
L. Out of this appropriation, $150,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for Critical National Security Language Grants. The Department of Education shall award these competitive grants to school divisions that provide one or more foreign language courses in a foreign language that is currently identified as critical by the National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship program. Each grant shall be limited to an annual amount sufficient to provide one or more full-time equivalent teaching position to provide one or more critical foreign language courses. The Department shall establish guidelines for administering the program, including selection criteria that considers teacher experience and qualifications, student interest, class size and student to teacher ratios, and the number of courses to be taught.
Guidelines for Implementing the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI) Grant
The Department of Education is required to develop guidelines for the administration of the program to include certain minimum requirements as established in these guidelines. The grant funding is awarded based on competitive criteria through a school division application process. These guidelines establish the competitive criteria and criteria point values used in evaluating school division applications for awarding grant funding to eligible public school division programs
Guidelines for Implementing the Critical National Security Language Grant
Application Process and Deadline
To apply for these competitive grant funds, grant applications must be submitted online to VDOE through the Survey Monkey Apply portal. The application portal will be available during specific application periods set for each fiscal year.
Online Application for NSLI Grants
Application Requirements and Criteria
The Department of Education (Department) shall award these competitive grants to public school divisions that provide one or more world language courses in a world language that is currently identified as critical by the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI) scholarship program.
- Each grant shall be limited to an annual amount sufficient to provide one or more full-time equivalent teaching position to provide one or more critical foreign language courses.
- The Department shall establish guidelines for administering the program, including selection criteria that considers teacher experience and qualifications, student interest, class size and student to teacher ratios, and the number of courses to be taught.
Deadlines and Important Dates for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026
The grant cycle will begin with a call for submissions in October 2024. The application period will run from October 1 - 31, 2024. Status notifications will be sent by December 15, 2024. Eligible languages for the current grant award cycle are:
- Arabic
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Korean
- Persian (Tajiki)
- Russian
- Turkish
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section provides information on the National Security Language Initiative grant and the process for completing the online grant application, called “NSLI”, located in Survey Monkey Apply portal. The grant application deadline is October 31, 2024.
Q: How do I obtain access to the NSLI grant application?
A: The online portal is accessed through the Survey Monkey Apply system.
Q: Which languages are eligible for the grant funding?
A: Eligible languages for the current grant cycle include: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, and Turkish.
Q: Is there a local match requirement?
A: No.
Q: Can a NSLI grant application be submitted even if total project costs exceed the maximum grant award amount?
A: Yes. However, the grant funding may only be used to fund, in full or in part, a full time equivalent (FTE) teaching position in one of the eligible languages.
Q: Can NSLI grant funds be combined with other sources of funding?
A: Yes. However, NSLI grant funds may not be used to supplant/replace other sources of funding/financing already committed to the project.
Q: Is there a deadline for the use of grant funds?
A: If a program is awarded a grant, the school division must certify its intent to obligate awarded grant funds to pay salary and benefits for the eligible FTE position in the fiscal year of the grant award.