Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act
Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-8,112, the purpose of the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act is “to provide financial incentives to recruit and retain teachers in Nebraska classrooms.”
This grant program provides $2,500 retention grants to teachers in their 2nd, 4th, and 6th year of teaching. This is for total years of teaching experience. It also provides a one-time $5,000 high-need recruitment grant to teachers who “obtain an endorsement in special education, mathematics, science, technology, or *dual credit.”
*While dual-credit is mentioned in the statute, there is no dual-credit endorsement. Refer to FAQ link below for more information.
Application is back up and will close at 11:59pm December 17, 2026
If you have any questions, please email: nde.trra@nebraska.gov
Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act
- 2025-26 school year application – Click here for application.
- Application closes December 17, 2025 at 11:59pm.
The table below illustrates the number of applications received for the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act Program.
| Total applications received | Total number of awards distributed | Total amount distributed |
| 4561 | 2000 | $5,000,000 |
The table below illustrates the number of applications received for the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act Program.
| Total applications received
3,301 |
Total awards distributed
1750 |
Total amount distributed
$5,000,000 |
| High-Needs apps received
810 |
High-Needs awards distributed
240 |
High-Needs amount distributed
$1,200,000 |
| Retention applications received
2,491 |
Retention awards distributed
1,520 |
Retention amount distributed
$3,800,000 |
| How many applied for both
474 |
How many received both
114 |