Sent to AFNR teachers, Grant Administrators, School Administrators, EFE Directors, ILCAE, ICAE, and State Staff

With guidance from Jason Mott, ISBE Agricultural Education Principal Consultant, we would like to share the Intent to Apply for the Three Circles Grant is now open. The deadline for the intent is Thursday, May 15, 2025 the end of the day (11:59 p.m.).

The purpose of this grant is to support personal service costs of teachers' time spent outside the regularly scheduled teaching duties. The intent must be completed by the deadline in order for funds to be allocated to your teacher. If a teacher has not yet been hired or if you are in contract negotiations, please use your best estimation and remember that funds can be returned, but no additional funds can be added to your allocation if your estimation is too low. Failure to accurately complete this form by the deadline may result in a loss of funding in fiscal year 2026. 

The intent applications are completed at the link below, not in IWAS. The budgets will be completed in IWAS after allocations have been uploaded based on the information gained from the intents. Districts will be notified when allocations have been made.

STEP 1: Determine the allocation needed from ISBE.
Download and complete Three Circle Grant Allocation Worksheet (Excel) for each teacher applying for the grant. You will utilize the numbers from this document on the intent. Be sure to save the document(s) to utilize when the budget allocations are released into IWAS after the initial sign up period. 

STEP 2: Complete the Three Circle Grant Intent to Apply Form.
Schools with multiple teachers will be able to complete applications for all teachers on this form.

If you need assistance, reach out to your FCAE-LPS Program Advisor. Our team is happy to assist.

For more information visit the Illinois State Board of Education Agriculture Food and Natural Resources webpage.