Innovative Approaches to Literacy 84.215G

The Innovative Approaches to Literacy program is a federal discretionary grant competition administered by the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. The program is identified under Assistance Listing Number 84.215G and is authorized under 20 U.S.C. 6646. The purpose of the program is to support high-quality literacy programs designed to improve literacy skills for children and students from birth through 12th grade in high-need local educational agencies and schools. The funding opportunity focuses particularly on low-income communities and supports literacy development through expanded access to books, stronger school library programming, and evidence-based early language and literacy activities. The Department emphasizes increasing reading proficiency through interventions that support children from infancy through adolescence. The competition was officially posted on April 8, 2026 and updated on April 22, 2026. The program supports a broad range of literacy-focused activities. Allowable activities include developing and enhancing effective school library programs, providing professional development for school librarians, supplying books and updated educational materials to high-need schools, implementing early literacy services including pediatric literacy interventions during well-child visits, and distributing high-quality books to children and adolescents from low-income communities. The notice also highlights innovative approaches such as evidence-based accelerated learning supports, tutoring programs aligned with literacy and mathematics learning acceleration, technology-enabled instructional models, artificial intelligence-supported interventions, and meaningful at-home learning supports for families. The grant specifically encourages projects coordinated with school libraries and literacy-centered educational programming. Eligibility is limited to certain educational and nonprofit entities serving high-poverty populations. Eligible applicants include local educational agencies in which at least 20 percent of students are from families below the poverty line, consortia of eligible LEAs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and eligible national nonprofit organizations serving children and students within the attendance boundaries of eligible LEAs. The notice explains that poverty determinations are based primarily on U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates data. Educational service agencies, county offices of education, and similar entities serving multiple LEAs must aggregate poverty data across all served LEAs to establish eligibility. Nonprofit organizations must demonstrate valid nonprofit status through IRS documentation, state certification, or incorporation records. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds. The competition uses a restricted indirect cost rate and prohibits grantees from issuing subgrants to other entities for direct project implementation activities. The competition includes two required absolute priorities and two optional competitive preference priorities. Applicants must address both absolute priorities to be considered for funding. Absolute Priority 1 requires projects to coordinate with school libraries for book distribution activities, childhood literacy programming, or both. Absolute Priority 2 supports projects carried out by entities identified, designated, or endorsed by a Governor or chief State education official. Competitive Preference Priority 1 provides additional points for rural applicants serving LEAs with specified National Center for Education Statistics locale codes. Competitive Preference Priority 2 awards additional points for projects supporting meaningful learning opportunities through evidence-based interventions, accelerated learning supports, tutoring programs, and family learning supports. The Department may award up to 15 competitive preference points total across both preference priorities. Applications are evaluated using a 100-point scoring system. The criteria include need for the project, quality of project design, and quality of the management plan. Reviewers assess whether applicants demonstrate documented literacy challenges affecting target populations, provide measurable goals and outcomes, include reliable data collection methods, and propose comprehensive strategies supporting educational development. The management plan review examines staffing, timelines, milestones, and mechanisms for delivering high-quality services. Applicants are also required to describe their plans for collecting and reporting performance data related to literacy growth, reading achievement, and book distribution outcomes. Program performance measures include growth in reading achievement among fourth and eighth grade participants, increased school book-to-student ratios, and the percentage of children receiving free grade-appropriate books. The estimated available funding for the competition is $16,800,000. The Department anticipates making between 25 and 35 awards, with estimated awards ranging from $375,000 to $750,000 and an estimated average award size of $500,000. The project period is 60 months. Applications became available on April 8, 2026. Notices of intent to apply are strongly encouraged by May 8, 2026, although they are not required for eligibility. Final applications are due June 9, 2026, and intergovernmental review deadlines occur on August 7, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov after registration in both SAM.gov and Grants.gov systems. Required application components include the SF-424 forms, project narrative, budget narrative, abstract, assurances, nonprofit documentation if applicable, and LEA eligibility documentation. Applicants are encouraged to attend a pre-application webinar hosted by the Department. Questions regarding the competition may be directed to Simon Earle at InnovativeApproachestoLiteracy@ed.gov or by phone at (202) 453-7923. The competition appears to be a recurring federal funding opportunity associated with annual discretionary grant cycles.

Clearly address both absolute priorities because applications failing to meet them will not be considered. Use measurable literacy outcomes and strong evidence-based interventions tied to the selection criteria. Demonstrate coordination with school libraries and provide detailed management timelines and staffing plans.