GENERAL GUIDELINES:
 

North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) offers funding to support poet visits to schools registered in the Poetry Out Loud® Program. 

• Visits must take place before January 30, 2026.
• Total amount of request may not exceed $2,000. 
• If your school would like more time with the poet than grant funds allow, you must use alternative funds to compensate according to the fee scale found below. 
• Funding requests must be submitted no later than December 12, 2025. Late requests will not be considered.
• Poet visits are defined as a visit (in person or online) from a practicing poet who has agreed to work within the POL Program. Poets may work with small groups to coach students on individual performances and/or explore poetry, deliver assembly-style performances to introduce poetry and the POL program to fuel excitement, or a combination of both. 

BUDGET (fillable in the form below)

• The fee scale for poet visits is as follows (negotiable):
  • Fee per one-hour, small group Coaching/Poetry Exploration Session is $350 per session. Maximum of 6 sessions. Small groups may not exceed 35 students.
  • Fee per one-hour Assembly Performances is $600 per assembly. Maximum of 2 performances.
• Additional costs for poet visits may include (negotiable):
  • Travel at state rate.
  • Meals at state rate as needed. 
  • Lodging as needed per local rate.
• Grant funds will be dispersed directly to the school upon successful completion of poet visit and the Lead Teacher submitting a full and complete Final Report with project documentation.

TO APPLY:

1. Contact visiting poet to determine availability and dates for visit. For list of participating poets see: ND Poets in Schools and select tab for Poets in Schools.
2. Discuss goals with poet and collaborate on a plan for a meaningful visit (in person or online) that connects students to poetry and goals of the POL program.
3. Sumbit this completed application
4. Wait 7-10 days for email notification concerning funding approval and final reporting instructions. (Final Report will be emailed to applicant.)
5. Contact poet to confirm dates, time, and details concerning school visit.
6. Prepare students and implement project.  
7. Document project with student/teacher feedback, reflections, student-created poetry/writing, and photo images and/or video.
8. Complete and submit final report and documentation. (All final reports must be received within 15 days of project completion.)

POL Teacher(s) grade level

Please enter the LEAD POL Teacher Information first. Then, if applicable, add other participating teachers, grade levels, and number of students. 

EXPENSES

Use the following form to help calculate the total project expenses. Enter "0" if not applicable.

All costs are negotiable except for mileage and per diem.

• Total amount of request from NDCA may not exceed $2,000.
• If your school would like more time with the poet than grant funds allow, you must use alternative funds to compensate according to the fee scale found below.

INCOME

Use the following form to help calculate the total project income.

Reminder: Expenses and Income must match

If your overall project budget is greater than $2000, the remaining funds must be provided by the school, community, other grant, or source. (Cannot be other NDCA grant or NEA grant)

LEAD TEACHER agrees to the following:

• I have read this entire application and understand how I can and will use a poet visit at my school and how I can best prepare students for the poet’s visit.
• I understand that a certified teacher must be present at all times during the poet's visit.
• I understand that once funding approval has been received, I must contact the poet directly to confirm dates, times and agenda for visit.  
• I understand that should the total agreed amount exceed the max. request of $2,000, the school or other entity must provide the additional sum directly to poet upon completion of visit.
• I understand that the amount awarded will be sent to the school as reimbursement upon completion of proposed project, submission of required documentation, and completion of full and complete Final Report.
• I understand the final report must be completed within 15 days of completion of poet visit or funding will be forfeited and returned to NDCA grant line.
• I understand that by signing this agreement I am agreeing to send a POL School Champion to the ND State POL Competition to be held in Bismarck on Monday, February 23, 2026.
• I understand that I must accept termination and/or amendment of this agreement if funding received by NDCA and federal, state, or other sources is not obtained and continued at levels sufficient to allow for payment of this agreement; and
• I understand that I must hold harmless the state of North Dakota, ND Council on the Arts, and their agents for any claim, loss, or damages resulting from or incidental to fulfillment of this agreement.

 

ND COUNCIL ON THE ARTS agree to:

• Provide consultation and support for planned activities as needed.
• Notify the POL LEAD teacher the approved award amount after submission of this application.
• Grant funds will be dispersed directly to the school upon successful completion of poet visit and the Lead Teacher submitting a full and complete Final Report with project documentation.