2026-27 BEST Grant Application Training

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  Welcome to the BEST Grant Application self-paced training. This course includes an overview of BEST, and a walkthrough of the grant application process. This is provided in the form of self-paced tutorials explaining the various aspects of the program and application. Please feel free to attend each or use the below sections as a menu for refreshing your knowledge of the BEST Grant. For returning applicants, we recommend the Recent Changes segment as well as the GAINS walkthrough, once available.

  This training is updated annually where changes have been made, just prior to the launch of the next grant round.

  As always, if you have any additional questions, please contact us!

  * indicates training sections updated December of 2025 for the 26-27 grant round, otherwise content is substantially identical to prior grant rounds

  
  

  
  
• Select topic Introduction to the BEST Grant Program (2:41)

  Introduction to the BEST Grant Program (2:41)

  
  

  • Select activity Introduction and Overview (2:41)

    

    Introduction and Overview (2:41) Page

    Introduction and goals of this training, and overview of the BEST grant program.

• Select topic BEST Website Orientation (6:49)

  BEST Website Orientation (6:49)
  • Select activity BEST Website Overview (2:09)

    

    BEST Website Overview (2:09) Page

    An overview of the Capital Construction Website (note, website has been visually updated since this training, but content sections remain)
    

  • Select activity Facility Insight (1:34)

    

    Facility Insight (1:34) Page

    An overview of the Facility Insight program, CDE's statewide assessment of school facilities.

  • Select activity BEST Grant Program webpages (3:06)

    

    BEST Grant Program webpages (3:06)

    BEST Grant Program pages within the Capital Construction website.

• Select topic Preparing to Submit a BEST Grant Application (16:03)

  Preparing to Submit a BEST Grant Application (16:03)
  • Select activity BEST Timeline (2:49) [NEW]*

    

    BEST Timeline (2:49) [NEW]* Page

    Overview of the annual timeline of the BEST grant cycle.

  • Select activity Components of the BEST Application (1:54)

    

    Components of the BEST Application (1:54) Page

    A diagram explaining how the pieces of a BEST application come together.

  • Select activity Scoring Rubric (8:31)

    

    Scoring Rubric (8:31) Page

    An overview of the evaluation tool used by the CCAB to score applications. Newly updated for the FY2025-2026 BEST Grant Round.

  • Select activity Recent Changes (3:20) [NEW]*

    

    Recent Changes (3:20) [NEW]* Page

    A summary of recent changes to the BEST Application, including GAINS, GAINS user roles, and match factor adjustments.

  • Select activity Tips for a Successful Application (2:18)

    

    Tips for a Successful Application (2:18) Page
• Select topic Submittal Requirements, Notices and Disclosures

  Submittal Requirements, Notices and Disclosures
  • Select activity Submittal Requirements Based on Project Scope (3:14) [NEW]*

    

    Submittal Requirements Based on Project Scope (3:14) [NEW]* Page

    Supporting documents required to accompany BEST applications, as relates to the scope of work proposed.

  • Select activity Notices and Disclosures (8:25)

    

    Notices and Disclosures (8:25) Page

    A review of important application notices and disclosures agreed to when submitting a BEST application.

  • Select activity Waiver Applications (3:16)

    

    Waiver Applications (3:16) Page

    Overview of waiver applications

• Select topic Completing the BEST Grant Application in GAINS

  Completing the BEST Grant Application in GAINS
  • Select activity BEST FY2024-25 (prior round) GAINS Walkthrough and Training

    

    BEST FY2024-25 (prior round) GAINS Walkthrough and Training Page

    A recording of the live GAINS training webinar for the BEST application hosted 1/16/2024
    Note: This walkthrough was completed on the prior grant round's application. The budget section has changed and simplified significantly. Please view the Detailed Project Budget module below for a review of the budget portion of the grant application for FY2025-2026

  • Select activity Detailed Project Budget and Submitting Budget in GAINS (5:22)

    

    Detailed Project Budget and Submitting Budget in GAINS (5:22) Page

    Overview of the Detailed Project Budget spreadsheet and how to incorporate budget information into the GAINS application budget.

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  • Select activity Transcript of BEST 2025-26 Online Grant Application Training

    

    Transcript of BEST 2025-26 Online Grant Application Training File

    Word 2007 document Uploaded 27/12/24, 09:44