How do I apply?

If you already have a members-only login on www.CTA.org, use that same login to access the Grant Application page.

For a quick tutorial on creating your new CTA.org Members-only login, click here.

Once logged in, click below to get started on your application.

The grant application process is fast and easy.  Click the link below and select the conference you are interested in attending. Your membership information will pre-polulate on the grant application. You can make updates to your contact information. You will need to provide a short narrative on your application for the committee regarding your interest in attending the conference and how your attendance will benefit your local chapter.

You will receive an email confirmation once you submit your application. See below for details about each grant and what the conference grant covers.

Available Conference Grants and Application Deadlines

Special Education Conference September 12-14, 2025 Hyatt SFO, Burlingame

Application Deadline: August 10, 2025

LGBTQ+ Issues Conference October 24-26, 2025 Hyatt OC, Garden Grove

Application Deadline: August 10, 2025

Apply Now

Grant Details

The CTA Board of Directors will award incentive grants for members who qualify in the following categories:

BIPOC Grant

Grants are available to encourage BIPOC leadership within the Association, for members belonging to one of the following racial-ethnic groups:

• African American
• American Indian/Alaska Native
• Asian
• Hispanic
• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
• Multi-ethnic

Small Chapter Grant

• Small Chapter Grants will be awarded to participants from small chapters with a unit size of 100 or fewer members.
• Small Chapter Grants will be awarded for the Presidents Conference to participants from small chapters with a unit size of 50 or fewer, 100 or fewer, and 1000 or fewer members.
• Small Chapter Full Grants will be awarded only for the Issues Conference to participants from small chapters with 25 or fewer members. The Small Chapter Full Grant will cover the following:: Registration Fee, Transportation Costs, Substitute cost for release time, Saturday evening meal, Housing based on double occupancy.

Emerging Leaders

The Emerging Leaders Grant is available for the Summer Institute for applicants who exhibit leadership potential but have not been elected president. This can include newly elected executive officers, association representatives, committee members and representatives to the NEA Representative Assembly. Applicant must receive chapter president approval.

LGBTQ+ Grant

Preference will be given to those nominees who have a special equity issues. This grant is only available for the Equity & Human Rights Conference.

ESP Grant

ESP Grants are available to the president or designee from ESP chapters. Applicant must receive chapter president approval. This grant is only available for the Presidents Conference and Summer Institute.

New Member Grant

New Member Grants are available to anyone that is in their first five years of membership with CTA. This grant is not available for the Presidents Conference.

Covered Costs for Grants

If selected for an incentive grant, the registration fee will be waived, and transportation costs will be reimbursed. See below for details.

Attendance at each workshop time block will be verified by CTA before payment. Full conference participation from the start to the closing of the conference is required for transportation reimbursement. Grant recipients will be required to fill out a short questionnaire at the end of the conference.

NOTE: The applications must be completed by the applicant with the full knowledge and permission of the chapter president. Awarded grants are not transferable.

*Unit size is defined as the number of persons who are represented for purposes of collective bargaining. The chapter membership may be less than the unit size.

Housing for Summer Conference Grants:

Presidents Conference Housing: You will be reimbursed for HALF of your housing costs at the CTA hotel rate for up to three nights for New Presidents and two nights for Returning Presidents. You must book your own room. You will receive a housing link once you register for the conference.

Summer Institute Housing: You will be reimbursed for HALF of your housing costs at the CTA hotel rate for four nights. You must book your own room. You will receive a housing link once you register for the conference. If you would like CTA to try to pair you with a roommate, you may indicate this during registration. However, you must still book your own room and CTA will let you know if we are able to match you with a roommate.

Travel Reimbursement

Air

Reimbursement is based on the most economical coach round-trip airfare, purchased at least 21 days in advance.

Airfare Discount: United Airlines offers reduced rates for CTA members up to 10%. Please visit www.united.com from a desktop computer and enter the code ZQCR594167 under Upgrades, certificates, and promotion codes. This can be found by clicking Advanced Search under “Book”. Please check with the other airlines to ensure that you are getting the best rate.

Please note that although discounts are available through UA, you may be able to find better airfares through other airline carriers.

Automobile

Mileage will be reimbursed at the current IRS rate of reimbursement per mile, not to exceed the cost of the most economical coach airfare. Currently the IRS rate is 70 cents per mile.

Reimbursement does not include the cost of airport parking, shuttle or taxi service, or travel between home and the local airport. If the roundtrip distance between your home and nearest airport is more than 100 miles, then mileage will be reimbursed at the current IRS rate. All other transportation costs are the responsibility of the individual, the chapter, the school district, the service center council, or the UniServ unit.