CTE Grant

Foundation for Applied Technical Education, Inc.

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A

BETTER TOMORROW

As a non-profit organization, Foundation for Applied Technical Education, Inc. (FATE) is committed to improving student achievement and experiences for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Fairfax County Public Schools. CTE Program Enhancement Grants are sponsored to help educators identify challenges and develop solutions to eliminate those.

Eligibility

Any CTE program teacher of Fairfax County Public Schools is eligible to apply for funding from FATE. Collaboration is encouraged, although applicants may apply individually or as team members. Individual classrooms, an entire school, a region, a group of schools, or even the school division may benefit from proposed projects.

In future years, applications for continuation of current grants will be considered, once the current grant has expired, and the final grant report has been submitted and accepted.

Guidelines

The FATE CTE Program Enhancement Grant program is designed to support the broader development of the CTE agenda. Elements of school improvement are incorporated for successful applications and designed to directly impact student productivity.

FATE is interested in funding innovative projects and ideas that are cross-curricular, learner-centered, and achieve outcomes effectively and imaginatively.

Priorities

FATE recognizes that many strategies may be employed to accomplish the goal of closing the achievement gap, ranging from family involvement and staff development to student learning and school-to-business/community partnerships. Preference will be given to program enhancements that maximize the financial reach of the CTE Program Enhancement Grant Program.

Application Format & Requirements

CTE Program Enhancement Grant Application - CLOSED

Applications for SY2025-2026 will open on October 14, 2025 and close on November 17, 2025.
Applications must be completed via the Google Form link.
Principals must be made aware of the grant submission. In addition to submitting your application, the grant applicant must be willing to provide a PowerPoint or similar presentation, upon request, to FATE with the understanding that the applicant is willing to allow FATE to use this presentation for publicity purposes at public events at its discretion.
As a way of promoting the CTE Program Enhancement Grants program, winning applicants may also be asked to appear at different events or to talk about their program and its success.

Selection Criteria

The educational need is clearly defined, including the impact on the school/community.
The grant request is to fund projects that are not funded through the school division or local school budgets.
The strategy is fully described and a brief action plan is included.
There is a clear link between the proposed strategy and how it impacts the educational need.
A plan for measuring the anticipated outcomes is included.
The budget is cost-efficient and clearly supports the project tasks.
Elements of school improvement are incorporated.
Plan can be replicated, if successful.
Application is free of educational jargon so that non-educators can easily understand.
Although FATE would like to fund all submitted applications, there is a limited amount of funds available.

Additional Information

Grant funds are released directly to a school or department, not to an individual(s). The grant remains with the school or department if the applicant(s) leave(s) the school or department after the grant has been awarded. All applications will be reviewed, by the CTE Coordinator, prior to being evaluated by FATE.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TODAY

Program Enhancement Grant Awards

2013-2014

Falls Church Academy - Fire/EMS, Ambulance

Chantilly Academy - Entrepreneurship, "Purple Express" School Store

2022-2023

Lake Braddock Secondary School -
Marketing

2015-2016

Edison High School -
Army JROTC CPR and First Aid Program

South Lakes High School Business and Information Technology, Seahawk Cyber Patrol After School Program focusing on Cyber Security

2023-2024

Robinson Secondary - Technology and Engineering Education

Chantilly Academy - Health and Medical Sciences

Fairfax High School - Marketing

2020-2021

Robinson Secondary - Technology and Engineering Education

2024-2025

Centreville High School - Technology and Engineering Education

West Potomac Academy - Trade & Industrial

Rachel Carson Middle School - Family and Consumer Sciences

Edison High School - Business and Information Technology

West Potomac Academy - Trade & Industrial

Chantilly High School - AFJROTC

West Potomac Academy - Family and Consumer Sciences

2021-2022

Chantilly High School - Marketing

South Lakes High School - Business and Information Technology

2025-2026

Falls Church Academy - Health & Medical Sciences

Bryant High School - Trade & Industrial Education

Rachel Carson Middle School - Family & Consumer Sciences

Edison High School - STEM

West Potomac Academy - Trade & Industrial

Fairfax High School - Family & Consumer Sciences

West Potomac Academy - Criminal Justice

Robinson Secondary School - Technology & Engineering Education

Chantilly Academy - Trade & Industrial Education

Cedar Lane School - Family & Consumer Sciences

Westfield High School - Technology & Engineering Education

Get In Touch