2026 Title I, Section 1003 School Improvement Grant (SIG) – Planning
The online application is available to the assigned local education agency (LEA) through the NYSED Business Portal. Select the survey titled “2026 Title I, 1003 School Improvement Grant (Planning).”
Section 1003 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires that State Education Agencies allocate funds to the assigned LEA for Target District support and schools identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI), and Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) to support the development and implementation of their individual district and school continuous improvement plans. The 2026 Title I, 1003 School Improvement Grant (SIG) Planning funds are provided to support the planning and development of the 2026–27 district and school improvement plans as required under the ESEA.
District-Level Improvement Plan Development
The following districts are eligible for 2026 Title I, 1003 SIG (Planning) funding to support the development of the district-level improvement plan:
- Newly Identified Target Districts
The following districts are not eligible for 2026 Title I, 1003 SIG (Planning) funding to support the development of the district-level improvement plan:
- Previously Identified Target Districts*
School-Level Improvement Plan Development
Districts with the following schools are eligible for 2026 Title I, 1003 SIG (Planning) funding to support the development of a school-level plan(s):
- Schools previously identified for Local Support and Improvement (LSI) that are now identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement.
Districts with the following schools are not eligible for 2026 Title I, 1003 SIG (Planning) funding to support the development of school-level plans:
- Districts that only have schools identified for LSI
- Schools identified for LSI
- Schools identified for CSI, ATSI, or TSI last year that remain identified*
- Charter schools
*Re-Identified Target Districts, and Schools that began the 2025–26 SY in the TSI, ATSI or CSI support model and remain identified should access the 2025-26 Title I, 1003 SIG (Basic) funding to support the development of their 2026–27 improvement plans.
See Attachment I for a list of eligible Target Districts and 2026 Title I, 1003 SIG (Planning) funding allocations. The individual support model for districts and schools can be found online at: https://data.nysed.gov/.
Eligible districts will receive the following allocations for 2026 Title I, 1003 SIG (Planning) funds:
- Newly Identified Target District - $20,000 per district
- Target Districts with a school(s) previously identified for LSI that are now identified for CSI - $20,000 per school
Districts may use 2026 Title I, 1003 SIG (Planning) funds for the following activities:
CATEGORY 1: Staff participation in the completion of NYSED needs assessment activities and the development of the 2026-27 district-level and/or school-level improvement plan(s).
CATEGORY 2: Support for parent/family participation in the development of the 2026-27 district-level and/or school-level improvement plan(s).
CATEGORY 3: (For School Plan Development Only) Travel to NYSED Regional Training.
CATEGORY 4: BOCES Needs Assessment and Planning Support. **
**If the BOCES does not provide Needs Assessment and Planning Support and an LEA would like to use any amount over $9,500 of 2026 Title I, 1003 SIG (Planning) funds, please contact fieldsupport@nysed.gov so that we can provide guidance on the rigorous review process that must be used to identify and evaluate any third-party vendor receiving funds through this grant.
Title I, 1003 SIG funds cannot be used to purchase any office equipment and/or furniture, general office supplies, and/or food/light refreshments for staff meetings within the district. If the LEA wishes to fund an expense that would support schools in the CSI, ATSI, or TSI support models, SIG Basic funds could only be used for the portion that will go toward eligible schools. Any support for non-eligible schools must be covered by a different funding source.
January 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026
Completed applications are due by February 27, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. LEAs are encouraged to submit as soon as possible to expedite the review and approval process of 2026 Title I, 1003 SIG (Planning) funds.
- LEAs must complete all sections of the online application and are required to answer questions marked with a red asterisk. If a required question has not been completed, the business portal will highlight it in red and the section of the application will be flagged. The applicant will be unable to submit the application to NYSED for final review if a required question remains unresolved.
- The online application may only be submitted/certified by the chief school officer of the applicant LEA. The designated superintendent of an LEA is the only administrator with the submit/certify rights necessary to successfully submit and certify a completed application for NYSED review.
- The FS-10 budget (Excel version preferred) should be completed in a manner that clearly identifies and aligns proposed expenses to planning activities. In addition, be sure to specify if activities are occurring at the district or school building level.
There is no carryover for these funds. All costs must be encumbered during the project period.
LEAs are REQUIRED to upload a signed PDF in the Business Portal and send a blue ink signed original and two hard copies of an FS-10 budget form to:
NYS Education Department - Office of Accountability
Attn: 2026 Title I, 1003 SIG (Planning)
89 Washington Avenue - Room 320 EB
Albany, NY 12234
The Field Support Services Unit requires the “2025-26 Title I, 1003 School Improvement Grant (Amendment Request)” survey be completed for electronic submission through the NYSED Business Portal. LEAs will need to answer four questions in the survey and upload a completed and signed PDF copy of their FS-10As.
All budget amendments should be discussed with the program office prior to the submission of an FS-10A. To ensure sufficient review and processing time, amendments to add new activities must be postmarked and submitted no later than June 1, 2026.
For additional information or assistance please contact: fieldsupport@nysed.gov.