WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Departments of Education and Labor have opened a new federal grant competition supporting American history, civics, government and geography instruction, expanding a Trump administration effort to influence how those subjects are taught as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026.
The Fiscal Year 2026 American History and Civics–National Activities program will provide funding to organizations that develop educator training, instructional materials and other initiatives focused on civics and history education.
The competition follows a previously announced $153 million federal investment in American History and Civics Seminar programs and represents the latest step in the administration’s broader education agenda.
Federal officials framed the initiative as an effort to strengthen instruction on U.S. history and founding principles while increasing emphasis on what the administration describes as patriotic education.
“In the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday, these grants will help revitalize history and civics education in classrooms across the nation,” Assistant Secretary of Education Kirsten Baesler said.
The grants are open to colleges, nonprofit organizations and for-profit entities.
Assistant Secretary of Labor Henry Mack characterized the program as a return to what he described as the original purpose of federal civics education initiatives, linking the effort to the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial celebration.
The initiative will be administered through a partnership between the Education and Labor departments under an interagency agreement that allows Labor to assist with grant management, technical support and program administration.
According to the departments, the arrangement is part of a broader effort to shift certain administrative functions away from the Education Department while maintaining federal education programs.
Federal officials noted that the Education Department has entered into 10 interagency agreements with five federal agencies as part of ongoing efforts to reorganize program administration and reduce reliance on the department’s internal bureaucracy.
Additional guidance for grant recipients is expected as implementation moves forward.
Information about eligibility requirements, application procedures and funding opportunities is available through the grant notice published on Grants.gov.
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