Department of Early Education and Care outlines competitive $3 million capital grant round, offers application guidance

A Department of Early Education and Care program representative told meeting participants that the agency expects to publish a $3 million capital grant round in August 2025 and offered detailed guidance on applying.

The official said the program is highly competitive: roughly 1,600 applications were received in the prior round and 158 projects were funded, an acceptance rate the presenter described as “about 9%.” The speaker emphasized documentation and project alignment with program priorities, including energy-efficiency measures, as important to strengthening applications.

The representative said individual grants in the program can be awarded “jusqu'à vingt-cinq mille dollars” (up to $25,000) and that the application window typically runs about 45 days. Applicants should be prepared to submit project descriptions, cost estimates, photos of…