The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) will open the second round of its Innovation Funding Initiative on October 7. This initiative offers eligible Orange County school districts, serving grades TK-12, the opportunity to receive up to $525,000 for three-year projects. The funding is designed to address unmet educational needs and improve student outcomes by strengthening learning, engagement, and overall student success.
The initiative was established as part of County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean’s 5-3-1 Strategic Plan. Its purpose is to assist districts in developing, testing, and expanding innovative approaches that have the potential to be sustained, scaled, or adapted in other educational settings. Supporting innovation is one of the five key initiatives within the plan, reflecting OCDE’s commitment to new strategies, or novel applications of existing ones, that can improve efficiency or student outcomes.
Dr. Bean stated that the initiative is "really about creating space for good ideas to grow." He noted that districts are best positioned to understand their students and communities, consistently finding new ways to meet evolving needs. The goal is to help districts advance promising ideas, learn from the results, and share successful methods.
Beyond financial support, participating districts receive a comprehensive support system. This includes coaching, technical assistance, and research and evaluation support. These resources are provided to strengthen project implementation, accurately measure impact, and identify what works effectively. OCDE also examines whether successful approaches can be sustained, scaled, or replicated in other educational environments.
The first round of the Innovation Funding Initiative generated significant interest, with OCDE receiving 29 applications representing 22 Orange County school districts. Six districts were ultimately selected as awardees and announced in March. These included the Orange and Saddleback Valley unified school districts, the Fountain Valley and Fullerton school districts, and the Anaheim Union and Huntington Beach Union high school districts.
Projects from the inaugural round covered a wide range of needs and approaches. Examples included collaborative math learning labs, student-built tiny homes designed for families experiencing homelessness, expanded International Baccalaureate and career pathways, new models for teacher development, and strategies aimed at strengthening student engagement and school climate.
For the second round, OCDE plans to select six additional Orange County school districts serving students in grades TK-12. Eligible districts are permitted to submit up to two applications. Districts that received funding as part of the first cohort are not eligible to apply in this round. Additionally, charter schools, districts located outside Orange County, private schools, colleges and universities, nonprofit or community-based organizations, and non-educational agencies are not eligible for this funding cycle.
Application materials will become available on October 7. An optional intent-to-apply form is due by October 30, with the final application deadline set for December 4. Award recipients for this round are expected to be announced in early February 2027. The funded projects will run for three years, from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030.
Along with the project funding, selected districts will participate in an Innovation Learning Community and an annual Innovation Summit. These platforms will provide educators with opportunities to share lessons learned, promising practices, and early findings with colleagues across Orange County. Districts considering an application are encouraged to sign up for Innovation Funding updates and access application materials, eligibility details, and additional information from the Orange County Department of Education.
