Last updated 4/10/2020 9:58:06 AM
2019-20 EAST Upgrade Grant information
2019-20 EAST Upgrade Grant Information
In cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Education, the EAST Initiative is pleased to be able to offer the EAST Upgrade Grant Program to eligible Arkansas schools. This grant is a matching grant up to $10,000, including the matching funds. It leverages our collective support in partnership with matching local funds to ensure the technological capacity of local EAST programs. While programs are expected to plan and maintain their up-to-date technological capacity, we recognize the need to help supplement these efforts when funding is available.
Grant Timeline
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Grant announcement – Friday, April 12, 2019
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EAST will begin accepting submissions (link opens) – Thursday, May 9, 2019, at 9:00 AM
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Deadline for submissions (link closes) - Friday, June 28, 2019, at 3:00 PM
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Award announcement – Wednesday, July 24, 2019
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Purchase deadline - Friday, November 1, 2019
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Verification visit from EAST staff member - November 2019 through May 2020
EAST Upgrade Grant Submission Website Link
The 2019 EAST Upgrade Grant will officially open for applications on May 9, 2019, at 9:00 AM. All applications must be submitted digitally through the EAST Upgrade Grant submission link. The link will not open until 9:00 AM on May 9, 2019, and then will close at 3:00 PM on June 28, 2019. You will receive an upload verification email.
Any applications received after the submission deadline or via fax, email, or mail will be not be accepted.
Instructions for Submission
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Download the file found below.
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Rename the file by typing your school name at the front of the file name.
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Open the file with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (a free download.)
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Fill in the form. Save as needed.
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Be sure to fill in the application completely BEFORE you start getting signatures. Once a signature is added, the form will be closed to editing.
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Click "Fill & Sign" for signatures (in the right column of Acrobat Reader DC.) Then click on the pen nib icon that says "Sign" (at the top of the form) to create a signature.
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Save the completed form.
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Upload the form through the EAST Upgrade Grant website.
Click Here to Download RFP in PDF Format
Frequently Asked Questions
1. If my district is providing more than $5,000 can I include that in the equipment list?
Certainly. The final purchase amount can be in any amount. The grant will match up to $5,000 maximum.
2. What if we can’t commit this round?
You will be eligible for future grant cycles; however, this is a year-to-year grant pool. Annual funding for this grant is not guaranteed.
3. Are there only specific items that can be purchased?
The EAST Upgrade Grant is for the purchase of hardware and software for the local EAST program. You do not have to purchase from the EAST specifications; however, items on the EAST specification list are readily accepted. You are encouraged to submit other hardware/software items for consideration that you believe would be of great benefit for your EAST program. Items of a consumable nature (e.g. toner) and classroom furniture/fixtures are not eligible.
4. Can we amend what is ordered after submission?
Any deviation from the grant process or purchase list must be approved in writing prior to the purchase of equipment. Any changes would need to be of a comparable nature (upgrade make/model (e.g. server model Y instead of server model X ) versus total change (e.g. 3D Printer instead of Server). Departure from the approved list will result in forfeiture of grant funds.
5. Can the district use funding spent prior to grant application for matching?
Only funds expended after July 1, 2019 may be used for the match.
6. What if we did not fully participate in required events?
If you did not fully participate in the required events, you will not be eligible for this cycle. You are eligible when you meet all of the following:
Fully participate in Conference for two consecutive years, AND
Fully participate in Summer Seminar for three consecutive years (or substitute Summer Remix for one of the three years, if applicable), AND
Participate in at least two Student Trainings in each of the previous two school years, AND
If applicable, fully participate in all sessions of Phase Training.
7. What if our program didn’t meet the minimum of four additional events?
If you have not participated in at least four additional events, please remedy and apply next cycle. These are critical to program growth.
8. What about taxes and shipping?
Taxes, shipping and handling should be figured into the total.
9. What documentation do I need to keep and make available for the validation visit?
Be prepared to produce physical items (workstations, cameras, servers,), purchase documentation, and classroom inventory.)
10. Can I get assistance on purchases with recommendations from the EAST staff?
Absolutely, in fact, you are encouraged to speak with members of the EAST staff that are most familiar with equipping the EAST classrooms with the latest in technologies and resources available.
11. What is the Upgrade Submission Link? Where do I find it?
We are requiring all grant applications to be submitted digitally through the Upgrade Grant Submission link. The link will be active starting at 9:00 AM on May 9, 2018. The link will then close at 3:00 PM on June 28, 2019. Any applications received after the submission deadline or via fax, email, or mail will NOT be accepted,
The Upgrade Grant Submission Link is located on the EAST Initiative Website, then click on “Grants” under the “Library” section. From there click on the “EAST Upgrade Grant for Arkansas Schools” and the Upgrade Submission Link will be on that page.
12. Are there any items that cannot be considered for purchasing?
Drones cannot be purchased using upgrade money
Supplies like toner and paper cannot be purchased but items like memory cards, accessories are allowed.
Items not in a typical EAST classroom will be considered. Please detail reasoning to assist in the process.
Subscription items (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud, Office 365) will be considered, please work with your local purchasing agent for best pricing. Online prices are often inflated in comparison.
Extreme items (e.g. a server or a video camera at a cost of $3,000 each will be considered though needs details explaining the need for going well beyond typical)
13. Can I buy from any vendor?
Yes - we encourage districts to work with vendors for which they have good relationships. We can assist if needed on pricing or vendor recommendations.
Schools Eligible to Apply
(based upon year of implementation or last Upgrade Grant awarded)
Alpena High School
Annie Camp Junior High School
Arkadelphia High School
Arkansas High School
Ashdown Junior High School
Bald Knob Schools
Batesville Junior High School
Bauxite Schools
Beebe Junior High School
Beebe Middle School
Bentonville High School
Bergman High School
Bismarck High School
Buffalo Island Central High School
Cabot High School
Calico Rock High School
Cave City High School
Centerpoint High School
Central Junior High School
Clarendon High School
College Hill Elementary School
College Hill Middle School
Cossatot River High School
DeWitt High School
Dierks High School
Don Tyson School of Innovation
Douglas MacArthur Junior High School
Dover Middle School
Drew Central High School
Dumas Junior High School
Dumas New Tech High School
Dunbar Magnet Middle School
Eagle Mountain Magnet Elementary School
El Dorado High School
eStem High Public Charter School
Eureka Springs High School
Farmington High School
Fordyce High School
Fountain Lake High School
Gardner STEM Magnet School
Gentry Public Schools
George Junior High School
Gravette High School
Green Forest Schools
Greenbrier Junior High School
Greenbrier Middle School
Greene County Technical High School
Greenland High School
Hackett High School
Hackler Intermediate School
Hall High School
Hampton High School
Harrisburg College and Preparatory School
Harrisburg Elementary School
Harrison Middle School
Heber Springs High School
Henderson Middle School
Horatio High School
Hot Springs Intermediate School
Hot Springs Junior Academy
Huntsville High School
J.A. Fair High School
Jacksonville High School
Jacksonville Middle School
Joe T. Robinson Middle School
Jonesboro High School
Lake Hamilton High School
Lakeside High School - Hot Springs
Lakeside High School - Lake Village
Lakeside Middle School - Lake Village
Lamar High School
Lincoln High School
Lincoln Middle School
Lonoke Middle School
Mabelvale Magnet Middle School
Magazine High School
Magnet Cove High School
Magnolia High School
Magnolia Junior High School
Malvern Elementary School
Malvern High School
Mammoth Spring High School
Mann Magnet Middle School
Marshall High School
Martin Luther King Elementary School
Maumelle Middle School
McClellan Magnet High School
Mena High School
Mena Middle School
Midland High School
Mineral Springs High School
Monticello High School
Monticello Middle School
Mountain Pine High School
Mountain View High School
Murfreesboro High School
Nashville High School
Nettleton Junior High School
Newport High School
North Heights Junior High School
North Little Rock High School
North Little Rock Middle School
Oak Grove Middle School
Omaha High School
Paragould Junior High School
Parkview Magnet High School
Perryville High School
Prairie Grove High School
Prairie Grove Middle School
Prescott High School
Quest Middle School of West Little Rock
Rison Schools
Riverside High School
Russellville High School
Russellville Junior High School
Southside Charter High School - Batesville
Southside High School - Fort Smith
Southside Junior High School - Batesville
Southwest Junior High School
Strong High School
Sylvan Hills High School
Valley View High School
Valley View Junior High School
Viola High School
West Fork High School
West Fork Middle School
West Side High School - Greers Ferry
White Hall High School
Wilbur D. Mills High School
Wilson Intermediate School
Woodlawn High School
Wynne Intermediate School of Innovation