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The U.S. Department of Education has announced plans for a $650 million grant program using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Investing in Innovation Fund or i3 will support local efforts to start or extend innovative programs that are proven to help close the achievement gap and advance student outcomes. Individual school districts, groups of districts, or districts in collaboration with nonprofits can apply for the i3 grants.

"The i3 competition will provide seed money for fresh ideas, help grow promising programs with a good track record and scale up programs with proven results to a national level," Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said.

The proposal is currently open to public review. A final application is scheduled to be available in early 2010 with a spring proposal deadline. Awards will be announced by September 30, 2010.