Note: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Charter Schools Program (CSP) is to increase national understanding of the charter schools model by-- (1) Providing financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter schools; (2) Evaluating the effects of charter schools, including the effects on students, student academic achievement, staff, and parents; (3) Expanding the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the Nation; and (4) Encouraging the States to provide support to charter schools for facilities financing in an amount that is more commensurate with the amount States have typically provided for traditional public schools. The purpose of the Collaboration Awards competition (CFDA 84.282P) is to encourage high-quality public charter schools (as defined in this notice) to partner with non-chartered public schools and non-chartered LEAs to share and transfer best educational and operational practices, and to disseminate information about such practices. By promoting strong partnerships and supporting the dissemination of information about the activities carried out through these partnerships, these Collaboration Awards should facilitate the exchange of best practices between public charter schools, non-chartered public schools, and non-chartered LEAs; and help the United States Department of Education (Department) identify and publicize successful collaborations. The Collaboration Awards competition is designed to encourage public charter schools, non-chartered public schools, and non-chartered LEAs to share resources and responsibilities; build trust and teamwork; boost academic excellence; and provide students and their parents with a range of effective educational options. The Department, through the Collaboration Awards competition, aims to increase national understanding of the charter school model. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.282P. Applications for grants under the Exemplary Charter School Collaboration Awards competition, CFDA number 84.282P, must be submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant application to us. You may access the electronic grant application for CSP at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.282, not 84.282P).