PE Teachers: Your Fitness Test Could Win Your School Up To $1M
The $10,000,000 Presidential Fitness School Innovation Challenge (HHS / America COMPETES Act) is open to schools, school districts, education agencies, and youth-serving organizations running the Presidential Fitness Test (PFT).
“Adding heart rate effort makes the Presidential Fitness Test fairer—because every student gets credit for how hard they worked.”
Interactive Prize Tier Calculator & Track Comparison
Select your student population and organization type below to see your exact eligibility across Track 1 ($7M Cash) and Track 2 ($3M Equipment Credits). Eligible schools can enter both tracks with two distinct submissions!
~100 awards available in Tier 1 ($2,000,000 tier pool). Requires evidence-based PFT implementation narrative (up to 10 pages + 1-page cover).
500 awards available in Tier 2 ($1,500,000 tier pool). Requires concise participation & equipment plan (up to 3 pages + 1-page cover). Valid through 12/31/2027.
Track 1: PFT Implementation & Innovation
Best For: Organizations that have put an innovative PFT approach into practice with students and present a credible pathway to sustain, replicate, or expand it (e.g., integrating into a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program / CSPAP).
Submission Length: 1-page Cover + up to 10-page Implementation Narrative (11 pages max, 8.5×11 PDF, ≥11pt font).
| Tier | Student Reach | Est. Prizes | Cash Award | Pool Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: Local | < 1,000 students | ~100 | $20,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Tier 2: Regional / Mid | 1,000 – 10,000 | ~30 | $100,000 | $3,000,000 |
| Tier 3: Large / Multi-Site | > 10,000 students | ~2 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tier 3: Grand Prize | > 10,000 students | ~1 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
Track 2: PFT Participation & Equipment
Best For: Organizations administering the PFT that create an encouraging experience and have a practical plan for using fitness/sports equipment and student recognition items (ribbons, medals) to sustain activity.
Submission Length: 1-page Cover + up to 3-page Participation & Equipment Statement (4 pages max, 8.5×11 PDF). Redemption codes expire 12/31/2027.
| Tier | Student Reach | Est. Prizes | Store Credit | Pool Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: Small | < 500 students | 1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tier 2: Mid-Sized | 500 – 1,000 | 500 | $3,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Tier 3: Large | > 1,000 students | 100 | $5,000 | $500,000 |
Why Adding Heart Rate Effort Makes the PFT Fairer
The HHS Challenge states that the PFT should “encourage students to pursue fitness, recognize effort, and motivate students to improve their own fitness over time.” Heart Zones makes invisible cardiovascular effort visible on your gym screen.
How Heart Zones Helps You Score 100/100 With HHS Judges
After Stage 1 Administrative Review, HHS judges score entries on a strict 100-point rubric. Here is how Heart Zones maps directly to every single scoring criterion.
Track 1 Scoring Rubric
100 Points TotalDemonstrated approach for implementing the PFT that has been put into practice with students.
Meaningful reach and positive approach promoting effort and personal improvement.
Aggregate counts, repeat participation, improvement measures, and lessons learned (no student PII).
Feasible plan for sustaining, strengthening, or replicating across classrooms, schools, or districts.
Distinctive, useful approach addressing PFT implementation barriers.
Track 2 Scoring Rubric
100 Points TotalPositive approach that celebrates effort, reduces unnecessary barriers, and encourages personal improvement.
Clear, practical plan for using fitness/sports equipment to support practice, PFT participation, and active habits.
Realistic approach for encouraging ongoing physical activity and repeat PFT goal-setting after initial testing.
Note on Track 2 Scale: Per HHS rules, Track 2 does not require national scalability. Individual schools are scored strictly on student encouragement, practical equipment plans, and continued engagement.
Heart Zones Solutions: Better Effort, 40+ Hours Saved
Heart Zones' variety of solutions are the absolute best choice for this challenge—improving student effort while saving PE teachers dozens of hours per testing cycle.
Fitness Testing Software
Digitize Presidential Fitness Test score sheets, track pre/post improvement, and generate HHS-ready aggregate reports in seconds—with zero manual data entry.
- Automated PFT protocols & norm tracking
- De-identified aggregate charts for grant evidence
- Instant parent & administrator progress PDFs
Group Heart Rate Monitors
Project real-time 5-color effort tiles for 100+ students simultaneously on your gym wall or tablet. Every student sees their personal effort zone and earns FIT Points®.
- Works indoors & outdoors without gym Wi-Fi
- Makes pacer/mile tests equitable & motivating
- Comfortable, hygienic optical forearm sensors
Automatic Rep-Counting Sensors
Eliminate partner-counting errors and stopwatch bottlenecks. Our new motion-sensing hardware automatically counts push-ups and curl-ups with cadence precision.
- Hands-free depth & cadence verification
- Saves 40+ teacher hours per testing cycle
- Syncs directly into digital student scorecards
Official 5-Step Guide to Entering on fitness.gov
All registrations and final submissions must be completed through the official Challenge hub on fitness.gov (email or mailed entries are not accepted).
Choose Your Track
Select Track 1 ($7M Cash), Track 2 ($3M Equipment), or enter both with two distinct, independent narratives.
Designate Representative
Appoint one authorized adult (18+): Principal, District Admin, Program Director, or Physical Education Lead.
Register on fitness.gov
Register prior to Feb 5, 2027 (5:00 p.m. EST). Early registration unlocks HHS Technical Assistance Webinars & updates.
Implement & Prepare
Run official fitness.gov PFT protocols with Heart Zones data. Include NCES School ID / reach verification & Cover Page legal statement.
Submit by Deadline
Upload final PDFs on fitness.gov no later than February 5, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Late entries are not accepted.
Official HHS Challenge Timeline
Challenge Launch
Registration opens on fitness.gov
HHS Webinars #1 & #2
Technical assistance Q&A sessions
Final Deadline
Registration & PDF upload cutoff
Stage 1 Review
Administrative & eligibility check
Stage 2 Merit Review
100-pt rubric scoring & selection
Winners Announced
$10M cash & equipment awards
Interactive Submission Checklist
Click each item as you prepare your packet to ensure your entry passes Stage 1 Administrative Review without disqualification:
Include project title, organization name/type, primary POC, requested tier, and the mandatory HHS rules statement below.
English, 8.5×11" PDF, ≥11pt standard font (≥9pt for charts). Track 1: max 11 pages total. Track 2: max 4 pages total.
Attach official NCES ID, state/district code, or de-identified youth reach documentation (excluded from page limit).
Never include student names, individual health records, or individual PFT scores. Heart Zones exports aggregate data automatically.
Confirm no federal grant/contract funds were used to prepare the Challenge submission itself.
DM Us “PFT” & We’ll Help You Think Through An Entry
Whether you are aiming for a $20,000–$1,000,000 Track 1 cash prize or a $1,000–$5,000 Track 2 equipment credit, our PE Technology Advisors will help you structure a turnkey equipment & software plan tailored to your school.
What You Receive From Heart Zones:
- Custom equipment sizing quote (Group HR Sensors, Auto Rep Counters, & Insights Software)
- Pre-written grant alignment narrative mapped to HHS 100-point rubric criteria
- Demo walkthrough of de-identified MVPA & FIT Points® reporting
Official rules linked in our bio and at www.fitness.gov.
#PhysEd #PEteacher #PresidentialFitnessTest #PhysicalEducation #HeartRate
PE Teachers: Your Fitness Test Could Win Your School Up To $1M
The $10,000,000 Presidential Fitness School Innovation Challenge (HHS / America COMPETES Act) is open to schools, school districts, education agencies, and youth-serving organizations running the Presidential Fitness Test (PFT).
“Adding heart rate effort makes the Presidential Fitness Test fairer—because every student gets credit for how hard they worked.”
Interactive Prize Tier Calculator & Track Comparison
Select your student population and organization type below to see your exact eligibility across Track 1 ($7M Cash) and Track 2 ($3M Equipment Credits). Eligible schools can enter both tracks with two distinct submissions!
~100 awards available in Tier 1 ($2,000,000 tier pool). Requires evidence-based PFT implementation narrative (up to 10 pages + 1-page cover).
500 awards available in Tier 2 ($1,500,000 tier pool). Requires concise participation & equipment plan (up to 3 pages + 1-page cover). Valid through 12/31/2027.
Track 1: PFT Implementation & Innovation
Best For: Organizations that have put an innovative PFT approach into practice with students and present a credible pathway to sustain, replicate, or expand it (e.g., integrating into a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program / CSPAP).
Submission Length: 1-page Cover + up to 10-page Implementation Narrative (11 pages max, 8.5×11 PDF, ≥11pt font).
| Tier | Student Reach | Est. Prizes | Cash Award | Pool Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: Local | < 1,000 students | ~100 | $20,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Tier 2: Regional / Mid | 1,000 – 10,000 | ~30 | $100,000 | $3,000,000 |
| Tier 3: Large / Multi-Site | > 10,000 students | ~2 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tier 3: Grand Prize | > 10,000 students | ~1 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
Track 2: PFT Participation & Equipment
Best For: Organizations administering the PFT that create an encouraging experience and have a practical plan for using fitness/sports equipment and student recognition items (ribbons, medals) to sustain activity.
Submission Length: 1-page Cover + up to 3-page Participation & Equipment Statement (4 pages max, 8.5×11 PDF). Redemption codes expire 12/31/2027.
| Tier | Student Reach | Est. Prizes | Store Credit | Pool Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: Small | < 500 students | 1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tier 2: Mid-Sized | 500 – 1,000 | 500 | $3,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Tier 3: Large | > 1,000 students | 100 | $5,000 | $500,000 |
Why Adding Heart Rate Effort Makes the PFT Fairer
The HHS Challenge states that the PFT should “encourage students to pursue fitness, recognize effort, and motivate students to improve their own fitness over time.” Heart Zones makes invisible cardiovascular effort visible on your gym screen.
How Heart Zones Helps You Score 100/100 With HHS Judges
After Stage 1 Administrative Review, HHS judges score entries on a strict 100-point rubric. Here is how Heart Zones maps directly to every single scoring criterion.
Track 1 Scoring Rubric
100 Points TotalDemonstrated approach for implementing the PFT that has been put into practice with students.
Meaningful reach and positive approach promoting effort and personal improvement.
Aggregate counts, repeat participation, improvement measures, and lessons learned (no student PII).
Feasible plan for sustaining, strengthening, or replicating across classrooms, schools, or districts.
Distinctive, useful approach addressing PFT implementation barriers.
Track 2 Scoring Rubric
100 Points TotalPositive approach that celebrates effort, reduces unnecessary barriers, and encourages personal improvement.
Clear, practical plan for using fitness/sports equipment to support practice, PFT participation, and active habits.
Realistic approach for encouraging ongoing physical activity and repeat PFT goal-setting after initial testing.
Note on Track 2 Scale: Per HHS rules, Track 2 does not require national scalability. Individual schools are scored strictly on student encouragement, practical equipment plans, and continued engagement.
Heart Zones Solutions: Better Effort, 40+ Hours Saved
Heart Zones' variety of solutions are the absolute best choice for this challenge—improving student effort while saving PE teachers dozens of hours per testing cycle.
Fitness Testing Software
Digitize Presidential Fitness Test score sheets, track pre/post improvement, and generate HHS-ready aggregate reports in seconds—with zero manual data entry.
- Automated PFT protocols & norm tracking
- De-identified aggregate charts for grant evidence
- Instant parent & administrator progress PDFs
Group Heart Rate Monitors
Project real-time 5-color effort tiles for 100+ students simultaneously on your gym wall or tablet. Every student sees their personal effort zone and earns FIT Points®.
- Works indoors & outdoors without gym Wi-Fi
- Makes pacer/mile tests equitable & motivating
- Comfortable, hygienic optical forearm sensors
Automatic Rep-Counting Sensors
Eliminate partner-counting errors and stopwatch bottlenecks. Our new motion-sensing hardware automatically counts push-ups and curl-ups with cadence precision.
- Hands-free depth & cadence verification
- Saves 40+ teacher hours per testing cycle
- Syncs directly into digital student scorecards
Official 5-Step Guide to Entering on fitness.gov
All registrations and final submissions must be completed through the official Challenge hub on fitness.gov (email or mailed entries are not accepted).
Choose Your Track
Select Track 1 ($7M Cash), Track 2 ($3M Equipment), or enter both with two distinct, independent narratives.
Designate Representative
Appoint one authorized adult (18+): Principal, District Admin, Program Director, or Physical Education Lead.
Register on fitness.gov
Register prior to Feb 5, 2027 (5:00 p.m. EST). Early registration unlocks HHS Technical Assistance Webinars & updates.
Implement & Prepare
Run official fitness.gov PFT protocols with Heart Zones data. Include NCES School ID / reach verification & Cover Page legal statement.
Submit by Deadline
Upload final PDFs on fitness.gov no later than February 5, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Late entries are not accepted.
Official HHS Challenge Timeline
Challenge Launch
Registration opens on fitness.gov
HHS Webinars #1 & #2
Technical assistance Q&A sessions
Final Deadline
Registration & PDF upload cutoff
Stage 1 Review
Administrative & eligibility check
Stage 2 Merit Review
100-pt rubric scoring & selection
Winners Announced
$10M cash & equipment awards
Interactive Submission Checklist
Click each item as you prepare your packet to ensure your entry passes Stage 1 Administrative Review without disqualification:
Include project title, organization name/type, primary POC, requested tier, and the mandatory HHS rules statement below.
English, 8.5×11" PDF, ≥11pt standard font (≥9pt for charts). Track 1: max 11 pages total. Track 2: max 4 pages total.
Attach official NCES ID, state/district code, or de-identified youth reach documentation (excluded from page limit).
Never include student names, individual health records, or individual PFT scores. Heart Zones exports aggregate data automatically.
Confirm no federal grant/contract funds were used to prepare the Challenge submission itself.
DM Us “PFT” & We’ll Help You Think Through An Entry
Whether you are aiming for a $20,000–$1,000,000 Track 1 cash prize or a $1,000–$5,000 Track 2 equipment credit, our PE Technology Advisors will help you structure a turnkey equipment & software plan tailored to your school.
What You Receive From Heart Zones:
- Custom equipment sizing quote (Group HR Sensors, Auto Rep Counters, & Insights Software)
- Pre-written grant alignment narrative mapped to HHS 100-point rubric criteria
- Demo walkthrough of de-identified MVPA & FIT Points® reporting
Official rules linked in our bio and at www.fitness.gov.
#PhysEd #PEteacher #PresidentialFitnessTest #PhysicalEducation #HeartRate