(Sent to AFNR teachers, Grant Administrators, School Administrators, EFE Directors, ILCAE, ICAE, and State Staff)

With the guidance from Marci Johnson, ISBE Director of CTE & Innovation, we would like to share the intent applications are now open to complete the Ag Incentive Funding Quality Indicators Report and the Intent to Apply for the Three Circles Grant. Both are due by Monday, April 15, 2024 at the end of the day (11:59 p.m.)

The intent applications are completed at the links below, not in IWAS. The budgets will be completed in IWAS after allocations have been uploaded based on the information gained from the intents. Districts will be notified when allocations have been made.

Ag Incentive Funding Grant

Approved Agricultural Education Programs need to complete the application highlighting the quality indicators achieved by the agricultural education program from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Based on these indicators, programs are rewarded with annual funding allocation through the incentive funding grant program. In order to earn points for each category, you must meet the minimum standards set for that area. Failure to accurately complete this form before the end of the day on Monday, April 15, 2024 may result in a loss of funding in fiscal year 2025. 

Links:

• Click Here for the Quality Indicators Application - Complete by 4/15/24

• Want to work through the application on paper first? Click here for printable version.

• Need help? Watch the Ag Incentive Funding Grant Webinar

• Still need help? Reach out to your FCAE-LPS Program Advisor.

Three Circles Grant

The purpose of this grant is to support personal service costs of teachers' time spent outside the regularly scheduled teaching duties. The intent must be completed by the deadline in order for funds to be allocated to your teacher. If a teacher has not yet been hired or if you are in contract negotiations, please use your best estimation and remember that funds can be returned, but no additional funds can be added to your allocation if your estimation is too low. Failure to accurately complete this form before the end of the day on Monday, April 15, 2024 may result in a loss of funding in fiscal year 2025. 

To determine the allocation needed, download and complete Three Circle Grant Allocation Worksheet (Excel) for each teacher. You will utilize the numbers from this document on the application. Also be sure to save the document to be used again when the budget allocations are released into IWAS after the initial sign up period. 

Complete the Three Circle Grant Intent to Apply Form for the teacher based on the excel worksheet and add any additional teachers as needed. The excel spreadsheet and an informational webinar can be found in the directions. If you still need help, reach out to your FCAE-LPS Program Advisor.

For more information visit the Illinois State Board of Education Agriculture Food and Natural Resources webpage. 

If you have questions or concerns, please email ag_ed@isbe.net or contact your district Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education Local Program Support Program Advisor.