University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Specialized Charter School Grants

The University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment (UF CAN) has issued solicitation Florida-FY27-ITN-006 to partner with schools that exclusively serve students with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. Operating as a coordinating hub under Senate Bill 112, UF CAN provides startup grant funds to support the development of new autism charter or laboratory schools or the modification of existing charter schools. Priority is given to programs located in rural or underserved areas, those with established facilities, and those with a proven track record of operating schools for this specific population. Proposals must be submitted via the University of Florida electronic sourcing portal by December 15, 2026, and must include a budget for the use of grant funds and anticipated startup costs. Awards are based on the most advantageous proposal rather than the lowest price, with evaluation factors including school background, experience, the ability to start programs in Fall 2027 or 2028, and the quality of the proposed service implementation. Successful vendors must comply with various Florida Statutes and federal regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and anti-kickback provisions. Requirements include providing 100 percent performance and payment bonds, maintaining Florida-authorized insurance, and certifying that the entity is not owned by a foreign country of concern. Additionally, vendors must provide an affidavit stating they do not use coercion for labor or services and disclose any University of Florida employees holding a substantial interest in their firm.