Innovation for Learning Fund

A new EdLoC funding opportunity designed to support bold, innovative initiatives that improve learning outcomes for K-12 and strengthen curriculum and instruction for students of color, students experiencing poverty, multilingual learners, and/or students with disabilities.

Meet the Inaugural Grantees

 

Grantees Announced!

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Grantees Announced! ·

The 2026 Innovation for Learning Fund at a Glance

  • 157 applications received

  • 7 inaugural grantees

  • $700,000 total awarded

  • $100,000 awarded to each grantee

  • Projects serving students across the K–12 learning journey

About The Fund

The EdLoC Innovation for Learning Fund is a new initiative supporting new or emerging efforts that improve learning outcomes for K-12 students through strengthened curriculum and instruction for students of color, students experiencing poverty, multilingual learners, and/or students with disabilities.

This fund is a direct investment in the ideas and innovation already happening across the EdLoC Network, providing members with the resources to launch, test, and scale new initiatives.

Why This Fund, Why Now

Across the country, students of color, students experiencing poverty, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities continue to face systemic inequities in access to high-quality curriculum and instruction.

At the same time, many of the most promising, community-rooted solutions are led by leaders of color who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and a clear understanding of what their students need to thrive.

Yet these leaders are often under-resourced and navigating increasing funding instability.

This fund exists to:

  • Invest directly in member-led innovation

  • Accelerates bold, innovative approaches to improve student outcomes

  • Supports new models, partnerships, and strategies that move beyond incremental change

  • Protect education innovation and the leaders behind it

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Applicants must be active members of Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC).

  • No. Funds must be used for new or innovative initiatives and cannot support general operating expenses.

  • Eligible K-12 initiatives should improve learning outcomes, strengthen curriculum and instruction, serve students of color, students experiencing poverty, multilingual learners, and/or students with disabilities, and operate within the education sector through direct services, partnerships, or leadership development.

  • Awards range from $100,000 to $150,000.

  • Applications are open from April 7 through May 29, 2026.

  • Funds must be used within 12 months of disbursement.

  • The next Innovation for Learning Fund application window will be announced in 2027. Follow EdLoC's communications for updates and application details.

  • Throughout the year, EdLoC will share updates on projects through our blog, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other public and member communications.

Meet the 2026 Inaugural Innovation for Learning Fund Grantees

Across the country, leaders of color are developing innovative solutions to improve student learning. The Innovation for Learning Fund invests directly in those ideas, providing resources for leaders to test, strengthen, and scale approaches that improve curriculum, instruction, and student outcomes. Selected from 157 applications, the inaugural cohort represents bold ideas rooted in community, innovation, and opportunity.

About EdLoC

Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC) believes the people closest to the challenges facing students are often closest to the solutions. By investing in and bringing together values-aligned leaders of color, EdLoC helps spark the partnerships and bold ideas needed to expand opportunity for young people of color. The Innovation for Learning Fund builds on that commitment by supporting community-rooted solutions that strengthen teaching, improve student outcomes, and create lasting change.

Innovation for Learning Fund

The Innovation for Learning Fund is a direct investment in the ideas and leadership of EdLoC members. Through its inaugural cohort, EdLoC is investing $700,000, with each grantee receiving $100,000 to help move a promising idea forward. The seven projects represent innovative approaches to strengthening curriculum and instruction, from literacy, multilingual learning, and mathematics to civic education, culturally sustaining curriculum, and emerging technology.

More than a grant program, the Innovation for Learning Fund recognizes the bold, community-rooted ideas already being developed by leaders of color and provides the resources to help those ideas grow, strengthen teaching and learning, and create more opportunities for students and communities.

A Member-Led Selection Process

The inaugural grantees were selected through a member-led review process that drew on the knowledge and experience of the EdLoC Network. Thirty-two EdLoC members served as application reviewers, and six members participated on the final selection committee.

Their collective insight helped identify initiatives with strong potential to strengthen teaching, improve student learning, and expand opportunity.