The Commissioner of Education, with the assistance of the State Education Resource Center, established pursuant to section 10-357a, may provide grants to local and regional boards of education for school districts designated as alliance districts, pursuant to section 10-262u. Such grants shall be for the creation and acquisition of new curricula, training in the use of such curricula and related supporting textbooks and other materials. Such local and regional boards of education may use such grants only for curricula, training and related textbooks and materials that have been authorized by the commissioner. Such local and regional boards of education shall apply for grants pursuant to this section at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, and the commissioner shall determine the amount of the grant awards.