Ready To Learn Programming

The Ready to Learn Programming grant is administered by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. The program is authorized under federal statute and is designed to support the development and distribution of high-quality educational media content for young children. This initiative reflects a longstanding federal commitment to improving early childhood education outcomes through accessible, research-based instructional programming delivered via public media platforms. The primary purpose of the program is to promote school readiness and academic achievement among preschool and elementary school children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. It does this by funding the creation, production, and national dissemination of educational television programming and digital media content. These materials are expected to align with developmentally appropriate learning standards and emphasize literacy and foundational academic skills. The program also encourages the creation of outreach materials that extend learning beyond the screen, engaging families, educators, and community-based providers in reinforcing educational outcomes. Funding under this opportunity is provided through cooperative agreements, with an estimated total of $31,000,000 available. Individual awards are expected to range from $6,000,000 to $12,000,000, with an average first-year award of approximately $9,000,000 and total project funding reaching up to $45,000,000 over a five-year performance period. Funds must be used to support activities such as content development, national distribution, and educational outreach. At least 60 percent of awarded funds must be allocated toward production, digital content development, and distribution activities. Administrative costs are capped at five percent of the total award, and subgrants are not permitted, although contracts with external entities are allowed. Eligibility is limited to public telecommunications entities that can demonstrate the capacity to develop and distribute educational programming nationally. Applicants must also show the ability to contract with content producers, manage revenue-sharing arrangements for program-related products, and localize content for diverse communities. Consortium applications are permitted if multiple eligible entities collaborate under federal guidelines. No cost sharing or matching requirement is imposed, making this a fully federally funded opportunity. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several required components such as a project narrative, budget narrative, standard federal forms, and supporting documentation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a notice of intent to apply by June 8, 2026, although it is not mandatory. The final application deadline is July 8, 2026. Applicants must also complete federal registration requirements through SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission. The application narrative is expected to address detailed selection criteria including project significance, design quality, management plan, and evaluation strategy. Applications are evaluated through a competitive peer review process using standardized federal criteria with a maximum score of 100 points. Additional points may be awarded for meeting competitive preference priorities, such as supporting meaningful learning opportunities or being a new applicant to the program. Evaluation emphasizes measurable outcomes, scalability, community engagement, and evidence-based design. Awardees are required to conduct independent evaluations and report on federally established performance measures, including reach, quality, and educational impact. The project period is 60 months, and grantees must submit annual performance reports and a final evaluation. The program includes structured oversight and compliance requirements, including adherence to federal civil rights laws and data privacy protections for children. Contact for the program is available via the ReadyToLearn@ed.gov email and a listed program officer. Overall, this grant represents a significant federal investment in educational media as a tool for improving early childhood learning outcomes at a national scale.

Align proposal tightly to selection criteria; emphasize measurable outcomes and national scalability; demonstrate strong evaluation design and partnerships