The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) is preparing to open the second round of its Innovation Funding Initiative on October 7. The program offers eligible Orange County school districts serving grades TK-12 up to $525,000 for three-year projects. These projects are designed to address unmet educational needs and improve student outcomes.
The initiative aims to strengthen learning, engagement, and student success across the county. Beyond financial support, participating districts will receive coaching, technical assistance, and research and evaluation support. This comprehensive approach is intended to strengthen implementation, measure impact, and identify effective strategies. OCDE also plans to examine whether successful approaches can be sustained, scaled, or replicated in other educational settings.
Created as part of County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean’s 5-3-1 Strategic Plan, the initiative supports innovation as a key component. Dr. Bean stated that "This initiative is really about creating space for good ideas to grow," emphasizing that districts are best positioned to understand and meet their students' evolving needs. The goal is to help districts develop, test, and expand innovative approaches.
In the inaugural round, six districts were selected and announced as awardees 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. Their projects covered a range of needs, from collaborative math learning labs and student-built tiny homes for families experiencing homelessness to expanded International Baccalaureate programs, career pathways, new teacher development models, and strategies to enhance student engagement and school climate. Officials reported strong interest in the first round, with OCDE receiving 29 applications representing 22 Orange County school districts.
For the upcoming second round, OCDE plans to select six more Orange County school districts serving students in grades TK-12. Eligible districts may submit up to two applications. Districts that received funding in the first cohort are not eligible to apply this time. Additionally, charter schools, districts outside Orange County, private schools, colleges and universities, nonprofit or community-based organizations, and non-educational agencies are not eligible for this funding round.
Application materials will be released 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 are expected to be announced in early February 2027. The funded projects are scheduled to run from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030.
Along with 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 their colleagues throughout Orange County. Districts considering an application are encouraged to sign up for Innovation Funding updates and visit the OCDE website for application materials, eligibility details, and further information.
