Early Reading First Program CFDA 84.359A and 84.359B | Apply Online

Early Reading First Program (CFDA 84.359A / 84.359B) FAQs

What is the Early Reading First Program?

The Early Reading First Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education designed to strengthen early literacy outcomes for preschool-aged children. The program focuses on improving oral language development, cognitive skills, and early reading readiness, with a particular emphasis on serving children from low-income families.

What are the CFDA numbers and what do they mean?

This competition uses two CFDA identifiers tied to two stages of the same grant competition: CFDA 84.359A is used for the pre-application stage, and CFDA 84.359B is used for the full application stage.

Is this a one-step or two-step application process?

It is a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a pre-application under CFDA 84.359A. Only applicants invited by the Department of Education may submit a full application under CFDA 84.359B.

Do you have to be invited to submit the full application?

Yes. Full applications are accepted only from applicants who receive an invitation from the Department after the pre-application stage.

What were the key dates listed for the FY 2009 cycle in the notice?

For the FY 2009 cycle described: applications became available March 3, 2009; the pre-application deadline was April 2, 2009; and full applications (for invited applicants only) were due June 16, 2009.

How many awards did the Department expect to make, and what was the estimated total funding?

The Department anticipated making about 24 awards, with estimated total funding of $111,424,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity indicated that cost sharing or matching was not required.

What kinds of outcomes and improvements is the program trying to achieve?

The program aims to improve preschool children’s oral language development, cognitive skills, and early reading readiness. It also emphasizes building stronger early literacy environments and improving the quality of preschool language and literacy experiences prior to kindergarten.

What kind of approaches are funded projects expected to use?

Funded projects are expected to use strategies, instructional materials, and professional development approaches grounded in scientifically based reading research.

Are there specific required activities that grant funds must support?

Yes. Recipients must use funds for the specific types of activities laid out in section 1222(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as amended), as referenced in the official application materials.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is centered on connections to Reading First-eligible local educational agencies (LEAs). Eligible applicants include: (a) one or more LEAs (including charter schools treated as LEAs under state law) that are eligible to receive a Reading First subgrant under Title I, Part B, Subpart 1 of ESEA; (b) one or more public or private organizations or agencies (including faith-based organizations) located in a community served by an eligible LEA; or (c) an eligible LEA applying in collaboration with one or more eligible organizations or agencies.

Are charter schools eligible?

Charter schools may be eligible if they are treated as LEAs under state law and meet the requirement of being eligible to receive a Reading First subgrant under Title I, Part B, Subpart 1 of ESEA.

Can a public or private organization apply, including a faith-based organization?

Yes. Public or private organizations or agencies, including faith-based organizations, may apply if they are located in a community served by an eligible LEA and meet the other conditions described in the notice.

If an organization (not an LEA) applies, does it have to apply on behalf of a preschool program?

Yes. For organizations applying under the pathway for public or private organizations/agencies, the application must be submitted on behalf of one or more programs serving preschool-aged children, such as Head Start, child care, family literacy programs (including Even Start), or a university lab school, unless the organization itself operates a preschool program.

Does the program focus on a particular population of children?

Yes. The opportunity places particular emphasis on serving preschool-aged children from low-income families.

How is Reading First eligibility for an LEA determined?

The notice explains that the determining point in time for LEA eligibility is the publication date of the Federal Register notice inviting applications for new awards for that fiscal year.

Where can applicants find lists of Reading First-eligible LEAs?

The Department posts state-by-state lists of LEAs that qualify for Reading First eligibility on the Early Reading First website as a convenience.

Are the posted eligibility lists considered definitive?

No. While the lists are provided as a convenience, it remains the applicant’s responsibility to verify eligibility with the state Reading First office or the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education, as applicable.

How must applications be submitted?

All submissions for both the pre-application and full application stages must be made electronically through Grants.gov.

Can applications be submitted by email?

No. The notice explicitly states that applications cannot be submitted by email.

How do applicants find the application package on Grants.gov for this opportunity?

Applicants are expected to locate the application package by searching the CFDA number without the letter suffix. In other words, search for 84.359 (not 84.359A or 84.359B).

Do applicants complete the application online in Grants.gov?

The described process is to complete the forms offline and then upload the completed materials through the Grants.gov portal.

Who should applicants contact for Grants.gov technical help?

For technical issues, applicants are directed to the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Who are the Department of Education contacts listed for this opportunity?

The listing provides Department contacts including Julius Cotton for access issues, and program managers Pilla Parker and Rebecca Marek for program-related questions.

Which sources control the detailed requirements for this competition?

The official Federal Register notice and the application package are emphasized as the controlling sources for detailed requirements such as allowable activities, priorities, performance measures, and submission instructions.