Time to Inspire Margie’s Educators

The 2025 TIME Fellowship program is open to currently employed, full-time instructional staff, assistant principals, and principals within Sarasota County Schools (SCS) pre-K to 12 traditional public schools who meet the following criteria:

• are assigned to a single school;
• maintain a current professional certificate with the state of Florida;
• have been employed in an instructional/administrative capacity within SCS traditional public schools for three or more academic years; and
• confirm their intention to continue teaching or working in SCS traditional public schools for at least three academic years after completing the fellowship.

Currently, charter, private, or virtual schools and classified staff are not eligible to apply.

Based on helpful feedback from past applicants and school-district leadership, a few changes have been made to expand eligibility and simplify the application process:

• All full-time, single-school-based instructional staff (not just teachers of record) may apply this year.
• Letters of recommendation from colleagues are now optional. (A letter from your principal/district supervisor is still required.)
• While applicants must possess a current professional certificate to qualify, there is no need to upload certification documents with the application.
• Early submission of your application will earn a courtesy review for “completeness” by Barancik Foundation staff.

Yes, group projects may be submitted.  Each applicant should submit an individual application but be sure to use the same proposal title.

Yes, couples in which both parties are qualified educators are eligible to apply for the TIME Fellowship.  However, each individual must submit a separate application, even if they plan to collaborate on a joint project.  If both individuals are selected as fellows, they will each receive their own fellowship award up to $12,000.

Yes, as long as the fellowship does not exceed the budget.

Yes, there is no limit to how frequently you may apply if you did not previously receive a fellowship.  We welcome and encourage return applicants.

If you received a fellowship in the past, you must wait five years to reapply.

No, simply log into the application portal using your previous user ID, which should be your email.  If you forgot your password, click “Forgot your Password?” This will prevent the creation of a duplicate profile.

No.  Your recommendation(s) must be from someone who works within Sarasota County Schools.

Yes, selected participants will be issued a 1099 tax form for all funds they receive.

Typically, 1099s are mailed in January, in the calendar year following the year you received your payment.  For example, fellowship payments made in 2024 will receive a 1099 in January 2025.

No.  Once award decisions are made, all payments are final based on your requested budget.

Email [email protected] and we will reset your eligibility quiz so you are able to retake it.

If you are making inconsequential or immaterial changes, you do not need approval.  If changes will significantly alter your proposed project or its timeline for completion, let us know by emailing [email protected].