Capital Construction Online Grant Application Process

Grant Cycle Timeline

• BEST Grant Timeline

Application Preparation

• GAINS is CDE's online grant management system! This year's BEST grant applications will be submitted and administered in GAINS
  • Learn more about the GAINS system
  • Take the general purpose GAINS training
  • A self-paced BEST training provides background information with more specifics on the BEST application. Take BEST self-paced training. New training updates for FY25 will be made available January 2025.
• BEST Process and Resources
•  Detailed Project Budget  - Revised for FY26 BEST Grant Round
• FY2024-25 Match Percentages (PDF) - FY26 Match Percentages will be available January 2025.
  • How Matching Percentages Are Calculated (PDF) (Updated Nov 2023)
• PowerPoint Photo Template

Sample Application and Contracts

• Sample FY2025-26 Grant Application (PDF)
• Sample Cash Grant Agreement (PDF)
• Sample Sub and Site Lease (Word)
• Sample Conditional Award Letter (PDF) – For all applicants to receive conditional reimbursements if awarded.

Waiver Applications

Waiver applications include calculated data specific to each applicant and provided by Division Staff. Please contact your Regional Program Manager for assistance.

• Sample School District & BOCES Waiver Application (PDF)
• Sample Charter School Waiver Application (PDF)

School District BEST matching amounts may be limited by statute to the district’s maximum limit on bonded indebtedness. Please include the form below with your BEST application to notify of a calculated Statutory Limit.

• Statutory Limit Waiver Form (Word)

Evaluation

• Sample Grant Application Scoring System (PDF)

Other Information:

• Charter School eligibility
• Public School Facility Construction Guidelines

For more information or if an alternative version of a document is needed, please contact BESTSchools@cde.state.co.us or call 303-866-2153.

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