Forty-nine school districts, nonprofit education organizations and institutions of higher education have been selected from among nearly 1,700 applicants for potential funding under the Investing in Innovation (i3) program.

The U.S. Department of Education selected the 49 proposals based on recommendations from independent peer review panels. Grants fall into three categories: up to $50 million per "scale-up" grant for programs with a strong track record of success; up to $30 million per "validation" grant for growing programs with emerging evidence of success; and up to $5 million per "development" grant for promising ideas. Winning applicants will serve 42 states and 2 territories with more than half intending to serve students with disabilities and limited English proficient students and 37 percent intending to serve rural school districts.

Washington submitted 37 i3 applications and, among them, the U.S. Department of Education selected one potential winner: Bellevue School District's "STEM, Rigor, and Equity in a Comprehensive High School" Development Project.

To receive a share of the $650 million in i3 grants, winning applicants must secure a commitment for a 20 percent private sector match by Sept. 8.

To learn more about the Investing in Innovation Grant, visit the Department of Education's website.