State Summer Learning Grant

The State Summer Learning Grant is administered by the Oregon Department of Education to support high-quality summer learning programs designed to accelerate academic growth and improve student outcomes. The program builds on prior state investments in expanded learning, including earlier legislative efforts, and is now established as an ongoing initiative through House Bill 2007. The grant prioritizes literacy development, particularly for students who are not yet reading at grade level, while also supporting broader academic achievement and student well-being through structured summer programming. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund evidence-based summer learning programs that combine academic instruction with enrichment opportunities. Programs must emphasize literacy proficiency using research-aligned strategies grounded in the science of reading and writing. In addition to literacy, applicants may incorporate supports in other academic areas such as mathematics and science, provided they align with identified student needs. Enrichment activities such as project-based learning, arts, and career exploration are encouraged when they are intentionally integrated with academic goals to reinforce learning outcomes and student engagement. Funding for the program is substantial, with approximately 35,000,000 dollars available annually across all awards. Individual applicants may request up to 1,000,000 dollars per year, and grants are awarded for a multi-year period covering summers 2026 through 2028. The program anticipates awarding between 100 and 130 grants, depending on application quality and available appropriations. Allowable uses of funds include staffing, curriculum, transportation, meals, partnerships, facilities, and indirect costs up to 10 percent. Programs must deliver at least 80 hours of in-person instruction per cohort, with a reduced requirement for kindergarten transition programs. Eligibility is limited to Oregon-based public education entities, including school districts, education service districts, public charter schools, or consortia of these entities. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to implement in-person summer programs using evidence-based strategies and must partner with at least one youth-serving organization such as nonprofits, community-based organizations, or local government entities. While federally recognized Tribal Nations are eligible for funding, they participate through a separate non-competitive process outside this request for applications. The application process is competitive and includes submission of a detailed proposal, program schedule, budget, and at least one partner letter of support. Applications are evaluated based on program design, academic approach, enrichment integration, equitable access strategies, implementation capacity, and cost effectiveness. In addition to evaluator scoring, applicants receive priority points based on factors such as student poverty rates and English language arts proficiency levels. The combined score determines final rankings and funding decisions. Key dates for the 2026–2028 cycle include an application release on February 20, 2026, and a submission deadline of March 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM. A pre-application conference was held on March 2, 2026, and questions were accepted through March 18, 2026. Award announcements were expected in April 2026. The grant operates on a recurring cycle, with the next request for applications anticipated in 2028. Applicants must submit materials through the designated online system and adhere strictly to submission requirements to be considered.

Prioritize strong literacy-focused program design aligned with evidence-based strategies; clearly demonstrate partnerships and capacity; align budget to direct student impact; address evaluation criteria explicitly