Applications for the Promise Neighborhoods Program, an implementation grant competition, are due on September 6, 2011. Funding priorities include: submission of a Promise Neighborhood Plan, Promise Neighborhoods in Rural Communities, Promise Neighborhoods in Tribal Communities, Comprehensive Local Early Learning Network, and Quality Internet Connectivity. The estimated average size of awards is $5,000,000. 

Geographic areas that are distressed, often facing inadequate access to high-quality early learning programs and services, with struggling schools, low high- school and college graduation rates, high rates of unemployment, high rates of crime, and indicators of poor health are eligible to become Promise Neighborhoods. A Promise Neighborhood is also a strategy for addressing the issues in distressed communities. Promise Neighborhoods are led by organizations that work to ensure that all children and youth in the target geographic area have access to the continuum of solutions needed to graduate from high school college- and career-ready. 

For more details, see the Federal Register listing at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-07-06/html/2011-16759.htm or request an application package from Ty Harris, U.S. Department of Education, at 202-453–5629.