National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) Grant Program

News and Announcements

The application period is now open for the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) National Security Language Initiative competitive grants. School divisions may apply for this competitive grant program in the SMApply portal using the NSLI2024 online application. The deadline for divisions to submit completed applications is February 29, 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

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 National Security Language Grant

Application Process and Deadline

To apply for these competitive grant funds, grant applications must be submitted online to VDOE no later than February 29, 2024. The online grant application and instructions can be accessed through the SMApply portal.

Online Application for 2024 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. 

The grant cycle will begin with a call for submissions in December 2023.  The application period will run from January 2, 2024 to February 29, 2024.  Status notifications will be sent in March 2024 in time for grant awards to be used to support programs in the 2024-2025 school year.  Eligible languages for the 2024 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 “NSLI2024”, located in SMApply portal. The grant application deadline is February 29, 2024.

Q: How do I obtain access to the NSLI grant application?
A: The online portal is accessed through the SMApply system.

Q: Which languages are eligible for the grant funding?
A: Eligible languages for the 2023-2024 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: What is the application, award, and reimbursement timelines for NSLI grant funds?
A: The application deadline is February 28, 2024. VDOE staff will then review and score all applications submitted in SMApply. Once grant awards are approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, VDOE will notify awarded school divisions. Awarded grant funds will be paid to school divisions between April – June, 2024.

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 Academic year following the grant award.