Now Open: Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) CERP Implementation Grant Application
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) has launched the FY27 CERP Implementation Grant application under Senate Bill 244 (2026) and its subsequent code, Utah Code Section 53G-9-216 (effective July 1, 2026). This program provides up to $6,000.00 per qualifying local education agency (LEA) to support school cardiac readiness, automated external defibrillator (AED) purchases, equipment maintenance and staff training.
This grant lifecycle aligns directly with the provisions of Utah Code Section 53G-9-216 (effective July 1, 2026) and the administrative criteria of Board Rule R277-634 (effective August 2026).
Application preparation warning: An individualized, school-specific CERP must be uploaded for every single school listed on your application. Missing plans will result in immediate disqualification. Please review the USBE FY27 CERP Implementation Grant Application Evaluation Rubric to understand how your entire application package, including eligibility, budget narrative, and school plans, will be scored by our review team.
Key Dates
July 1, 2026
- Purchase window opens
- Grant application window opens
- Utah Code Section 53G-9-216 officially becomes active, establishing the legal framework
for CERP compliance. Only approved equipment and training expenses purchased on or
after this date qualify for grant reimbursement.
July 27, 2026
- The application portal opens digitally via the Utah Grants Management System (UGMS). In accordance with Board Rule R277-634, funding is limited and allocated sequentially across a prioritized tier system. Depending on fund availability and request volumes, partial funding may be awarded.
August 28, 2026
- Application deadline: the primary application window closes. Early submission is highly encouraged due to the sequential, first-come, first-served tier structure.
How to Prepare the CERP
Each school must submit an individualized plan that includes and addresses the core elements outlined in the 2026 statutory updates and adheres to the following standards.
- Step 1: Integrate Evidence-based Core Elements
- Plans must explicitly incorporate evidence-based core elements, which mean practices and standards for emergency cardiovascular care recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) or other nationally recognized standards focused on emergency cardiovascular care.
- Step 2: Establish Multidisciplinary Teams
- Form a dedicated school response team, blending diverse school roles such as school nurses, athletic trainers, teachers and administrators.
- Step 3: Define Equipment and Maintenance Logistics
- Plan for the routine tracking of AED units, replacement pads, batteries, first aid kits, and bleed kits. Funded AEDs must be placed in an unlocked, central location accessible at the school within three minutes of an incident (meaning the equipment is retrieved and the pads are placed on the person within that three-minute window).
- Step 4: Schedule All-Hours Emergency Drills
- Plan for annual live simulation drills that test your response protocols before, during and after operational school hours.
- Step 5: Arrange Dual-Scope Certifications
- Organize training programs that offer dual adult and pediatric CPR, first aid, and AED certifications from approved providers. LEAs must retain active, updated certification records.
Planning Resources
- USBE FY27 CERP Implementation Grant Competitive Evaluation Rubric
- Review before submitting your application. Download the official scoring criteria used by USBE reviewers to evaluate your overall application package, budget proposal and individual school plans.
- USBE CERP Implementation Grant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Information on eligibility, prioritized funding tiers and compliance rules.
- AHA CERP Resources
- Use these as baseline technical references when creating the school's CERP plan.
- AHA CERP Do-it-Yourself Toolkit
- Ready-to-use protocols and design templates.