Feature Story

April 2016

Physical Education Program Grant Competition Opens

The Department of Education announced that it will award $23 million in Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grants for the 2016-17 school year.

PEP grants are multi-year grants used for PE equipment purchases and teacher training that are associated with innovative physical education methods. The PEP program is being phased out as part of the move to the "Every Student Succeeds Act" (ESSA), but the newly announced PEP program grants will receive full funding in year one (FY 2017).

"The PEP program has had great success in providing quality Physical Education to get children engaged in healthy, active lifestyles," said Bill Sells, vice president of Government & Public Affairs for the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). "SFIA helped to create the PEP grant program, and we're pleased an additional $23 million will be delivered to local schools."

The PEP program was pioneered by the SFIA and has been a legislative priority for the association for several years. PEP received $47 million in funding in FY 2015, and since PEP started as a $5 million pilot program in 2001, it has provided more than $1 billioin in federal funding dedicated to PE in schools.

Grant applications must be submitted by May 20, 2016, and government review completed by July 19, 2016.

To view the PEP Grant notice, visit https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/03/21/2016-06301/applications-for-new-awards-carol-m-white-physical-education-program.