Eligibility & Application

The Arizona Charter Schools Program is pleased to announce it has received a new award from the US Department of Education for opening new, replicating, or expanding charter schools. 

AY 2026-27 AZCSP Subgrant Application Calendar 

August 11, 2026: Application Training RFA I & II & Budget | Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM (AZ Time)  

Place: Arizona Department of Education South Campus | 1535 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85007 | Conference Room Cicero

October 19, 2026: Application Submission | Time: 11:59 PM (MST)

November 16-20, 2026: Applicant In-person Capacity Interview | Time: TBD | Place: Arizona Department of Education South Campus

The Arizona Charter Schools Program (AZCSP) has received a new grant from the US Department of Education, Title IV, Part C, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH QUALITY CHARTER SCHOOLS. The purpose of the grant is to hold competitive applications for school leaders who will open schools serving disadvantaged Arizona students.

The only applicants allowed to apply in 2026 must submit their charter application to the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools (ASBCS) in June 2026 or have submitted a replication application that will be approved by ASBCS in December 2026. Schools authorized by Arizona State University (ASU) must also be approved by the ASU authorizer by December 2026.

The proposed school shall meet one of the following definitions of educationally disadvantaged:

• A school serving at least 30% economically disadvantaged students eligible for federal lunch program support; or
• A school serving at least 30% of students with disabilities; or
• A school serving at least 30% English Language Learners (ELL).

AZCSP applicants must do the following to be eligible for the grant:

• Register as an Arizona nonprofit corporation  with the Arizona Corporation Commission
• Register with the US Federal Contractor Registration (System Award Management)

The following types of schools are ineligible to apply for AZCSP funding:

• Schools that apply for Alternative Status
• Schools that use AOI funding to support their operation.

Subrecipients will be supported by an annual award over a period of three years. Three award competitions will be held annually in October 2024 through 2026.  Subrecipients must agree to participate in AZCSP staff and contractor instructional and finance/operational/grants management technical assistance for all three years.

For further information, call Mark Francis, 602.542.4020, [email protected].

Send the completed Eligibility Form and Registration Form to [email protected].

AZCSP 2028-29 Registration Form

RFA Part I AZCSP 2028-29 Subgrant Eligibility Form

RFA Part II AZCSP 2028-29 Subgrant Application

RFA Part II AZCSP 2028-29 Subgrant Application Evaluation Criteria

RFA AZCSP 2027-29 Subgrant Application Training Slides - August 14, 2025 

Federal Lottery Policy Guidelines

1) Accepting federal funds means following federal law (regulation) in the use of those funds. 

2) Federal law supersedes state law. If the school accepts federal funds (AZCSP Subgrants), the lottery policy of the school must be consistent with federal law. 

3) Arizona's lottery law differs from federal law, notably in categories exempt from the lottery and automatically enrolled. Including references to Arizona law and federal law creates a conflict in the school's lottery policy. 

4) Federal Nonregulatory Guidance 2014

Waiver schools (awarded in 2018 AZCSP grant)