571—33.20(455A) Eligibility for funds.

1. 33.20(1)  Fund distribution. The total available funds will be distributed as follows:

   1. a. The first $50,000 will be awarded to public/private pre-K through grade 12 education disseminated as small grant awards not to exceed $10,000 per request and no less than $1,000 per request.
   2. b. The next $50,000 will be awarded to dissemination grants, if a dissemination project is provided by the department for the year.
   3. c. The remaining $250,000 will be awarded for large grant awards not to exceed $80,000 per request. Large grant awards require a minimum of 33 percent matching funds either as an in-kind or a cash match.
   4. d. If all funds are not allocated through paragraphs 33.20(1)“a” and “b,” the remaining funds will be allocated to qualifying projects in paragraph 33.20(1)“c.”

2. 33.20(2)  Expenditure guidelines.

   1. a. Eligible program types. Applicants can apply for funding that supports hands-on interactive types of educational experiences, such as workshops, trainings, field trips, or classroom activities, or passive education experiences, such as interpretive or wayside signs, brochures or video programming, or education center exhibits.
   2. b. Personnel expenses. Requests for personnel expenditures shall not exceed 40 percent of the total grant request and can only be used for staff directly engaged with the educational offering. Administrative support personnel are not eligible grant fund expenses. An awardee will provide documentation on actual hours worked in order to receive the 40 percent reimbursement costs for personnel. This does not include educator stipends or funding provided to individuals in order to attend a workshop, conference or training, all of which are allowable expenses under this grant program.
   3. c. Travel expenses. Reimbursement is for in-state travel only; mileage, lodging, and food expenses will be reimbursed at the current state rate as found on the department of administrative services website.
   4. d. Noneligible expenses. Grant funds cannot be used for technology or infrastructure development or construction whose singular function is not primarily and consistently dedicated to the program or exhibit for which grant funds are requested. Additionally, grant funds cannot be used for food and beverage costs or reimbursements.

In years in which funds are made available, grant applications may be submitted by institutions of higher learning; government agencies, including local school districts; private schools and home schools; area education agencies; day cares; and organizations. Preference shall be given to Iowa residents.

[ARC 7910C, IAB 5/1/24, effective 6/5/24; ARC 9409C, IAB 7/9/25, effective 8/13/25]