STATEHOUSE NEWS

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The Ohio Statehouse's Transportation Grant portal will open for applications Friday, September 4 for the 2026-2027 school year. The grants assist schools in paying for bus transportation for students to visit Capitol Square for tours to learn about Ohio history, how government works, and the importance of civic engagement.

More than 70,000 students visit the Ohio Statehouse each year. Additional information about the grant and how to apply is available online at OhioStatehouse.org. This year, the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is contributing an additional $50,000 to the program, along with the donation that is provided annually by the Capitol Square Foundation.

“We hope this additional grant funding will bring more students to our great state capitol, especially those who haven’t had the chance to visit yet,” said Megan Wycuff, Executive Director with CSRAB. “Our mission with these tours is to bring history lessons to life while sharing the importance of civic engagement with future generations.”

Up to 180 grants will be awarded, split evenly among three categories based on one-way travel from the applicant's school to the Ohio Statehouse:

• 0 to 50 miles


• 51 to 100 miles


• 101+ miles

“The Capitol Square Foundation’s goal is to raise awareness about the Ohio Statehouse and the rich history surrounding it,” said Charley Moses, Chair of the Capitol Square Foundation. “We hope that these grants will help provide students and teachers with an opportunity to visit Capitol Square and learn something new.”

Applicants must be teachers or an employee who works for an Ohio school that receives state funding and have a minimum of 20 students in their tour group to be eligible for the grant. Only one grant will be awarded per school. Classes below the 4th grade level are not eligible for the program.

Applications must be submitted online by end of day Sunday, September 13, 2026. Schools will be selected by the Ohio Statehouse Museum and Education Center by using a random lottery system for each of the grant categories.

All grant awardees will be notified by e-mail if they are selected for a transportation grant. More information regarding reimbursement is available online at OhioStatehouse.org.

Please note, schools can schedule class tours before grants are awarded. Tours can be scheduled Monday through Friday during business hours. Springtime tour dates fill up quickly and schools are encouraged to consider a fall tour for students. For questions regarding tours, please email tours@ohiostatehouse.org or call 614-728-3726.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

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For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
Phone: 614-728-2130