Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Grant (GEER)
The federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP Act) provide funding for Governor's Emergency Relief (GEER) Fund. The Montana Governor's Office is accepting applications for GEER III grants to be distributed following the GEER federal guidance.
Application Criteria
These GEER III funds will be awarded to non-public education-related entities serving kindergarten through 12th grade students that have been most significantly impacted by COVID-19. The GEER III funds must be used to prevent, prepare for, or respond to COVID-19 as it relates to the delivery of education services. Governor Gianforte is committed to expanding learning opportunities for all Montana students. To that end, the Governor will award GEER III funds to non-public education-related entities serving kindergarten through 12th grade students who have been most significantly impacted by COVID-19 within the GEER guidelines found in the FAQ. GEER III allocations will be made and monitored by the Montana Office of Budget & Program Planning (OBPP).
This funding will be available for reimbursement of expenditures from August 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. Minimum GEER III grant awards will be $10,000. Grant expenditures must be for goods and services purchased and consumed within the grant period. Examples: licenses, subscriptions, protection packages (i.e., 3, 4, or 5 years) must be prorated for the grant period for any portion to be paid by the grant funding. An “Equipment Approval Request” form must be completed for EACH item costing $5,000 or more and submitted to OBPP for pre-approval prior to purchase of item(s). Funds will be distributed quarterly on a reimbursement basis beginning the quarter ending September 30, 2022.
Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2022. Award recipients will be notified by July 29, 2022.
Allowable Uses
All purchases must be one-time-only or have an identified funding stream to pay for ongoing expenditures. Examples from the GEER FAQ for uses of this funding are listed below. This is not an all-inclusive list.
- Staff, infrastructure and technology to support distance education, or remote learning;
- Academic support for libraries, laboratories, and other academic facilities;
- Institutional support for activities related to personnel, payroll, security, environmental health and safety, and administrative offices;
- Student services that promote a student’s emotional and physical well-being outside the context of the formal instructional program;
- Invest in technology infrastructure and professional development that will improve capacity to provide high quality, accessible, distance education, or remote learning.
- Provide reliable, high-speed internet for students and teachers through the purchase of internet-connected devices/equipment, mobile hotspots, wireless service plans, or installation of community wi-fi hotspots, especially in underserved communities;
- Purchase of hardware and software applications for students and teacher;
- Provide access to high-quality digital learning content, apps, and tools that can deliver engaging and relevant learning experiences that are accessible to all students;
- Cover costs associated with making materials accessible for students with disabilities or English learners; and
- Providing professional development and training for teachers on effective strategies for the delivery of remote and digital instruction.
Questions can be directed to Nancy Hall, Lead Budget Analyst, Governor’s Office of Budget and Program Planning at 406-444-4899, or email NHall@mt.gov or to Dylan Klapmeier, Governor’s Education Policy Advisor, 406-444-3188, or Dylan.Klapmeier@mt.gov .
Additional guidance on the acceptable use of GEER funds can be found in the FAQ from the U.S. Department of Education.
