Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2026

This bill would create an Educational Equity Challenge Grant program run by the Department of Education. Grants would go to school districts, state education agencies, the Bureau of Indian Education, and nonprofit partnerships with school districts to address students' academic, social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs, including needs linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. For-profit entities could not receive grants. The bill sets aside shares of funding for tribal schools, rural areas, and areas with low-income students, and requires grantees and the Department to report on how funds are used. It would authorize $15 billion per year for 2027–2029, $10 billion per year for 2030–2033, and $5 billion per year for 2034–2036.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Jahana Hayes Democrat sponsor
• 7 cosponsors