Guide to Grants and Funds for Esports Programs

Updated on 02/01/2024

Why are Esports Programs Eligible for Funding?

Esports programs are eligible for funding primarily because they align with key educational objectives and outcomes, such as increasing student engagement, especially with at-risk students, preparing students for future careers, promoting collaborative and strategic problem-solving, and many other benefits to the classroom. These programs enhance students' cognitive and social skills, foster interest in STEM fields, support inclusivity and boost student engagement. By contributing to a holistic educational experience and aligning with modern learning goals, esports programs present themselves as valuable and relevant educational investments, thereby justifying their eligibility for funding in an educational context. This relevance to modern education goals makes esports a compelling addition to school curriculums, meriting financial support.

How do I Fund an Esports Program?

There are various federal, state, and private grants available for educational institutions looking to establish or enhance esports programs. Requirements vary depending on the funding source. Generally, you'll need to demonstrate how the program benefits students, aligns with educational goals, and meets the specific needs of your school or district. Keep in mind that implementing an esports curriculum for your esports program will help massively when applying for grants and funds.  We will dive deeper into different funding options you can use for your esports program in this blog.

The Role of Esports in Meeting Department of Education  Goals

When we look at the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Summary from the Department of Education, there are specific areas that are being focused on, such as the equity gap, mental health, underserved communities, diversity, multilingual education, lack of staff, concentrated poverty, racial isolation, providing opportunities, academic recovery, and helping students with careers. So, how exactly does esports help with that? 

Esports programs contribute significantly to addressing various educational challenges named above, such as narrowing the equity gap by providing equal participation opportunities to all students, regardless of physical abilities or socio-economic status. They also play a crucial role in improving mental health by fostering a sense of community and offering a stress-relief outlet. 

In underserved communities, esports serve as a cost-effective extracurricular activity and an alternative option to traditional sports, requiring fewer resources and less physical space. These programs promote diversity and inclusivity, bringing together participants from different backgrounds, including those with different physical abilities and from various racial and ethnic groups. This inclusivity extends to multilingual education, where esports can bridge communication barriers in a multicultural environment. In schools with limited staff, esports can be managed with existing resources. They can engage students in areas of concentrated poverty, offering them a low-cost, high-engagement, entertaining, and educational activity.

Esports also provide crucial opportunities for academic recovery, helping re-engage students who have fallen behind academically. The skills developed in gaming, like strategic thinking and problem-solving, are transferable to academic subjects, aiding in academic recovery. Additionally, the growing esports industry offers a multitude of career opportunities, from game development to marketing, thereby opening new paths for students to explore and develop skills relevant to the digital age. 

Overall, esports programs stand out as a versatile, inclusive, and effective tool in modern education, tackling challenges from equity and mental health to career preparation.

Funding Options for Esports Programs

There are several ways to get funding for your esports program. Let’s take a look at all the opportunities you can leverage:

State Education Funds (Tier I, II, III, IV)

Title funds, established by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and amended in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), are federal funds released yearly to supplement state education funding. The U.S. Department of Education's website is a primary resource for federal funds, while state and local educational agencies have their own procedures and portals for funding applications. 

State Education Funds are typically allocated by state governments to support various educational initiatives, including technology and extracurricular activities like esports. These funds are often divided into different tiers, which might vary by state, but generally, they are categorized based on specific criteria or needs.

Title I Funds: Supporting Low-Income Students

Title I funds target programming for students from low-income families, focusing on meeting challenging academic standards. These funds should directly benefit low-income students, and if 40% or more of a school’s student body comes from low-income families, Title I funds must be used for school-wide initiatives. 

These funds can be used for various initiatives, including after-school programs, purchasing devices, and introducing additional curricula in ELA and STEM.  For esports, this could translate into implementing an esports curriculum, and buying gaming equipment or software for students who can't afford them. 

It's important to note that Title I funds are not limited to specific academic subjects or instructional costs only. They can be used for comprehensive school-wide interventions, including those that support innovative programs like esports.

Two Types of Title I School Funding

More than 90% of the public school systems receive some sort of Title 1 funding, and there are two types of it. 

① Targeted Assistance Program: Resources from funds are used to assist students who are at risk of failing academically

② Schoolwide Program: This way, schools can choose funding and how to use the funding freely to appeal to all students.

Title II Funds: Professional Development

Title II funds support the professional development of teachers, principals, administrators, and staff. This includes preparing educators to teach STEM subjects, which is crucial for esports programs. Schools can use these funds for teacher training related to esports technology and game-based learning strategies. But these funds can also be used to hire more staff, attend conferences, and implement new curriculums.

The primary purpose of Title II funds includes supporting efforts to train teachers, principals, or other school leaders to effectively integrate technology into curricula and instruction, which may consist of training to assist teachers in implementing blended learning. Also, increasing student achievement consistent with the challenging State academic standards and providing low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders is crucial.

Title II Funds’ allowable expenses cover program development or implementation costs, which is an excellent opportunity to use it on software needed to manage a successful esports program. For instance, at Gameplan, we offer professional development courses, providing all educators with many opportunities. Moreover, Gameplan’s courses are led by teachers, and This fits well in Title 2 applications.

Title III Funds: English Language Learners

Title III funds are designated for English language learners (ELL) and immigrant students. These funds can be used for after-school programs, summer programs, teaching technology, and professional development related to ELL technology. To receive this fund, the students must be aged between 3 to 21.

English can be learned effectively through video games, which provide an immersive and interactive experience that can enhance language skills in a variety of ways. For example, Cambridge English has developed a module on Minecraft Education, proving to be a valuable tool for language learning. Other games can also be effective learning tools when primarily used for teaching language. 

♢ Vocabulary Expansion: Many video games, especially those with complex narratives or detailed worlds, use a wide range of vocabulary. Players are exposed to new words in context, which can help them understand and remember them better.

♢ Reading Skills: Games often involve reading instructions, dialogues, or storylines. This frequent exposure to written language can improve reading comprehension skills and speed.

♢ Listening Skills: With voice-acted dialogues and in-game audio, players can improve their listening skills. This is especially beneficial for understanding different accents and spoken nuances of the English language.

♢ Speaking Practice: Online multiplayer games that involve team strategies and coordination can encourage players to speak English, especially if they are playing with people from different parts of the world. This real-time communication can be excellent for conversational practice.

♢ Cultural Context: Games often incorporate elements of culture, idioms, and expressions specific to English-speaking countries. This cultural immersion can be invaluable for language learners.

♢ Motivation and Engagement: Video games can make learning fun. This increased engagement can motivate learners to spend more time with the language, accelerating their learning process.

Incorporating esports can offer a dynamic way to engage ELL students, enhancing both their English proficiency and technical skills.

Title IV Funds: Holistic Educational Experience

Title IV, the newest fund that was passed in the ESSA Act of 2015, focuses on supporting a well-rounded education, safe and healthy schools, and effective technology use. It emphasizes STEAM education, making it a relevant source for funding esports programs, which often blend technology, science, and mathematics.

Developing or using effective or innovative strategies for delivering academic content through technology is an outlined priority that can be used for delivering esports curriculums that focus on STEM through an LMS like Gameplan, where it can be shown as the provider of such service. 

IDEA Funds: Supporting Students with Disabilities

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds support early intervention and special education services for children with disabilities. These funds ensure that all children with disabilities have a free, appropriate public education emphasizing special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.

These funds must directly benefit students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and can be used for counseling, behavior management programs, and assistive software. In the context of esports, IDEA funds could help create inclusive gaming environments that accommodate students with various disabilities. It is stated that this fund aims that educators and parents have the necessary tools to improve educational results for children with disabilities by supporting system improvement activities, coordinated research and personnel preparation, coordinated technical assistance, dissemination, and support, and technology development and media services.  With the proven benefits of gaming for special education children, you can easily apply for these funds.

How Can Digital Games Transform Learning in Special Education?

Digital games are really useful in Special Education because they grab students' attention and make learning more fun and engaging. They help reduce stress and make kids feel more involved and included. 

Recent studies have revealed significant benefits of action video games for children with dyslexia, demonstrating notable improvements in reading abilities. In the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), video games have shown effectiveness in reducing inappropriate behavior and enhancing play skills and social engagement among children (1). These improvements extend to new game contexts, indicating the intervention's capacity to foster natural, unprompted social interactions and maintain these effects over time

Furthermore, more research underscores the positive impact of computer games in enhancing impulse control and attention in children with ADHD, boosting motivation and performance, suggesting that gaming is a vital tool in sustaining concentration and impulsive behavior in these children.

Experts (1,2) also say that technology helps students with disabilities interact better and have the same chances to join in activities as everyone else. Plus, these games are a terrific way for kids with special needs to practice everyday skills, solve problems, and get ready to mix more easily with others. (3, 4)

Overall, video games offer substantial advantages in educational settings, particularly for children with special needs. They not only aid in improving communication and spatial skills but also cater to the unique needs of children with physical, sensory, and visual impairments, as well as those with ADHD, enhancing memory function and overall learning engagement. This evidence positions digital games as a valuable resource for educators seeking to support diverse learning needs in their classrooms.

ESSER Funds

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) was established as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to support schools in addressing the impact of the pandemic. These funds provide an additional avenue for schools to finance their esports programs. All activities authorized by Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, and IDEA funds are included in ESSER Funds. These funds can be used for technology upgrades, which are crucial for esports. Schools can apply these funds towards high-speed internet, gaming computers, and other tech essentials for a top-notch esports experience. 

Regarding esports, these funds can be utilized in several ways:

♢ Enhancing Online Connectivity: ESSER funds can be used to improve digital infrastructure, which is crucial for online gaming and esports training.

♢ Supporting Remote Engagement: With esports, schools can maintain student engagement in a remote or hybrid learning environment, an essential aspect during disruptions caused by the pandemic.

♢ Promoting Mental Well-being: Esports also promote social interaction and mental health, which aligns with ESSER's objectives of supporting student well-being during challenging times.

Other Grants and Funds for Esports Programs

Some grants are offered by various organizations, foundations, and companies, and they can be an excellent resource for funding esports programs. These grants often focus on specific aspects like technology and innovation, community development, and educational enhancement. 

○ Epic MegaGrants: Epic MegaGrants supports anyone doing amazing things with Unreal Engine, the industry’s leading game design software, or the 3D graphics ecosystem. Research, educational curricula, course development, student projects, and university programs using or related to Unreal Engine are all eligible.  At Gameplan, we provide access to six Unreal Engine courses created by the Epic Games education team. These courses simplify concepts related to interactive 3D design for newcomers using Unreal Engine, thereby developing and strengthening game development and skills in other emerging industries for children and learners of all ages.  

○ GPS Fund Grants: The NEA’s Great Public Schools Fund Grants (GPS Fund Grants) advance the goal of great public schools for every student. 

○ NACE: The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is a nonprofit membership association that allows students to receive esports-specific scholarships from the institutions they attend. 

○ Perkins Funding: Under the Carl D. Perkins Act, Perkins Funding provides over $1.4 billion annually for career and technical education (CTE) programs. It supports curriculum, equipment, teacher salaries, and more, benefiting schools and institutions nationwide. States manage and adapt Perkins funding to meet specific CTE needs, enhancing educational opportunities for educators and students.

○ Afterschool Alliance:  The Alliance works with a broad range of organizations and supporters, including policymakers, government agencies, youth, parent and education groups, business and philanthropic leaders, afterschool coalitions and providers at the national, state, and local levels, and leaders representing health and wellness, college and career readiness, social and emotional learning, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning, and more—each with a stake in afterschool. 

○ Regional K-16 Education Collaboratives Grant Program: The California Regional K-16 Education Collaboratives Grant Program, backed by a $250 million fund, is designed to bolster the state's economic recovery from COVID-19 while tackling educational and workforce inequities. The grant requires groups of different schools and local businesses to work together on plans that help students succeed and prepare them for occupational pathways in key sectors.

○ STEM Grants: STEM Grants was established by Certified Grant Writers with expertise in STEM Education initiatives. Both K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations can reap the rewards of STEM grants. To offset costs and time commitments, they provide paid webinars for those eager to explore grant prospects and enhance their skills in crafting successful proposals. 

○ GrantWatch: GrantWatch is the online resource for grants for nonprofits, government agencies, municipalities, foundations, corporations, small businesses, and individuals. Please note that there is a paid fee required to use the keyword search option. 

○ CTE Pathways and Esports Funds:  Connecting esports programs with Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways can open up additional funding opportunities. Highlight the links between esports skills and potential career paths to showcase the long-term benefits and garner support from CTE-focused organizations. For instance, Game Design can align with Arts, Media, and entertainment, Streaming can intersect with Multimedia, and Shoutcasting can be categorized within Speech.

○ Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Engage with local businesses and corporations that share a passion for education and esports. Seek partnerships that align with your school's vision and values. They might sponsor or donate to school esports programs as well. Corporate sponsorship can be crucial, with companies like Intel and Microsoft offering sponsorship and grants for esports programs.

○ Crowdfunding and Community Support: Leverage the power of crowdfunding platforms to rally community support. Engage parents, alums, and local community members who understand the value of esports in education.

How Does Gameplan Align with Funds and Grants?

① Title I Funds: Gameplan aligns seamlessly with Title I Funds aimed at raising academic standards for low-income students. You can utilize Gameplan in your fund application, stating us as your esports curriculum provider. 

Our platform enriches school curriculums and extracurricular activities with an engaging esports and STEM curriculum, including unique resources like Unreal Engine courses. This fusion not only enlivens the learning process but also significantly enhances student engagement and achievement. Additionally, Title 1 funds cover basic infrastructure like computers or gaming equipment. 

➁ Title II Funds:  Title II Funds, focusing on professional development and technology integration in curricula, are well-suited for Gameplan's approach. Our platform offers professional development courses, making it an excellent option for Title II applications

Gameplan supports program development and implementation, offering a comprehensive solution for successful esports programs. Its robust features, including interactive activities and video reviews, enhance both teaching and learning experiences. This makes Gameplan not just a platform but a valuable tool for educators seeking to advance their teaching skills through innovative esports education with teacher-led courses, fitting well with Title II Fund applications.

➂ Title III Funds: Title III funds are specifically designated for ELL and immigrant students, directly benefiting them through after-school programs, summer programs, technology teaching, and ELL technology-related professional development. Funds can be used for any material and technology that supports language learning.

Video games are an effective tool for learning English, providing an immersive and interactive experience that enhances language skills in various ways. Video games, such as Minecraft Education, have shown efficacy in language learning, offering immersive experiences that bolster language skills. Gameplan provides a rich array of game content and instructional resources that support ELL students, making it an ideal tool to leverage these funds for language acquisition through engaging and interactive gaming experiences.

➃ Title IV Funds:  Title IV of the ESSA Act of 2015 supports well-rounded education, safe schools, and effective technology use. The Act encourages the use of innovative strategies to deliver academic content, including the integration of esports and STEM curriculums. Gameplan, with its array of educational gaming content and resources, is well-positioned to align with these priorities, offering schools a platform to effectively use Title IV funds for enhancing STEAM education through esports.

➄ IDEA Funds: IDEA funds, part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, support early intervention and special education services for children with disabilities. These funds must go directly to students with special needs and can be used for counseling, behavior management programs, flexible seating options, assistive software, and classroom aids. 

In esports, IDEA advocates for inclusive gaming environments. Digital games captivate and reduce stress, aiding special education students by enhancing reading, reducing inappropriate behavior, and positively impacting children with ADHD. Technology engages and aids students with disabilities, as games offer a fun way to practice skills, problem-solving, and social interactions. Furthermore, video games provide educational benefits for children with special needs, such as boosting communication and spatial skills, accommodating impairments, and improving memory and learning engagement. Moreover, Gameplan aligns well with IDEA funds by providing diverse instructional methods and interactive content, making learning more accessible and engaging for students with special educational needs

➅ ESSER Funds: The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, established under the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides crucial financial support to schools during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Anything that qualifies for other title funds are included in ESSER Funds. These funds can be flexibly used for a variety of purposes, including professional development, technology upgrades, sanitation measures, staff stipends, and enhancing online learning technologies. Schools can leverage ESSER funds to enhance their technological infrastructure, such as high-speed internet and gaming computers, essential for an immersive esports experience. Esports not only advances digital connectivity and remote engagement but also supports student well-being, aligning seamlessly with ESSER's goals during challenging times.

Conclusion

We encourage schools to explore the diverse funding opportunities available and leap into the esports world. It's not just an investment in technology and gaming; it's an investment in the future of education.

Esports programs in schools offer a unique opportunity to engage students in a modern, tech-driven educational experience. Schools can overcome financial barriers and create inclusive, engaging, and educational esports programs by understanding and utilizing Title I, II, III, IV, IDEA, and ESSER funds.

If you're feeling a bit lost on where to begin, why not kick things off by starting an esports club? It's a great way to test the waters and see just how much interest there is in this subject at your school. Let us help you in a quick call.

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