Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 071112 001
Apply for ED GRANTS 071112 001
- The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Program CFDA Number 84.215G" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.215 Fund for the Improvement of Education.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 24, 2012 and posted on Jul 11, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 10, 2012 Applications Available July 11, 2012. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications August 10, 2012.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $28,599,844.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Independent school districts Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants for IAL grants are (1) A high need LEA (as defined in this notice) (2) a national not for profit organization (as defined in this notice) that serves children and students within the attendance boundaries of a high need LEA (3) a consortium of one or more national not for profit organizations that serve children and students within the attendance boundaries of one or more high need LEAs or (4) a consortium of high need LEAs. Note In order to demonstrate that charter schools or State administered schools are LEAs, applicants must include documentation from their State educational agency confirming LEA status. Subject to the submission of sufficient applications that meet the requirements of this notice, the Department will award no less than 50 percent of the funds to LEAs (on behalf of school libraries) for high quality school library projects that increase access to a wide range of print and electronic resources and provide learning opportunities to all students. The Secretary reserves the right to fund a sufficient number of high quality literacy and book distribution projects from LEAs and national not for profit organizations.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Program (CFDA 84.215G) is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Education to strengthen literacy development for children from birth through 12th grade, specifically within the attendance boundaries of high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools. The program is built around the idea that strong literacy outcomes can be improved through well-designed, evidence-supported efforts that expand access to reading materials, improve the role of school libraries in instruction, and provide engaging literacy experiences that help younger children build early skills while encouraging older students to read more and read better. A recurring theme in the opportunity is addressing gaps in access: many high-need communities have limited home libraries, and many schools either do not have functional school libraries or lack qualified library media specialists, adequate facilities, or up-to-date print and digital collections. IAL funds are intended to help close those gaps through high-quality literacy programming and free book distribution, backed by at least one study that meets the notice definition of scientifically valid research.
In practical terms, the Department signals interest in innovative approaches that use school libraries as active learning hubs, not just places to store books. Projects may include expanding and updating library collections with both print and electronic resources, building or enhancing library-based literacy activities, and creating learning opportunities that reach all students. At the same time, the program also supports broader childhood literacy activities and book distribution efforts that get age-appropriate, grade-appropriate books into the hands of children and families, especially in communities where access to reading material at home is limited. The goal is not only to raise reading achievement, but also to build motivation and engagement around reading, which the notice frames as a key lever for long-term literacy growth.
Eligibility is focused on organizations that can demonstrate they serve children and students within high-need LEA boundaries. The eligible applicant types listed include: (1) a high-need LEA (as defined in the notice), (2) a national nonprofit organization (as defined in the notice) that serves children and students within the boundaries of a high-need LEA, (3) a consortium of one or more national nonprofits serving children and students within one or more high-need LEAs, or (4) a consortium of high-need LEAs. The notice also highlights a documentation requirement for certain entities: if a charter school or a state-administered school is claiming LEA status, it must include documentation from the relevant state educational agency confirming that LEA status. Another important funding design point is that, assuming enough qualifying applications are submitted, the Department expects to award no less than 50 percent of available funds to LEAs (on behalf of school libraries) for high-quality school library projects that expand access to a wide range of print and electronic resources and provide learning opportunities to all students. The Department also reserves the right to fund a sufficient number of strong literacy and book distribution projects submitted by both LEAs and national nonprofits.
From an administrative standpoint, this competition is tied to FY 2012 funding and was posted July 11, 2012, with applications available the same day and a deadline to submit applications of August 10, 2012. The opportunity anticipated about 30 awards and listed an estimated total funding amount of $28,599,844. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this competition. Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov; applicants were expected to download the application package, complete it offline, and upload it for submission. The notice emphasizes that applications cannot be submitted by emailing an electronic copy to the Department. When searching in Grants.gov, applicants were instructed to search by CFDA number without the letter suffix (search for 84.215 rather than 84.215G).
The Federal Register background included an administrative correction related to intergovernmental review requirements under Executive Order 12372 and 34 CFR part 79. The original July 11, 2012 notice mistakenly listed intergovernmental review deadlines even though the Secretary had decided to waive EO 12372 review for this competition to ensure timely awards for FY 2012. The corrected notice removes the requirement for applicants to submit materials for intergovernmental review, reflecting that waiver decision.
For support and official guidance, the opportunity points applicants to the Federal Register notice as the authoritative source for details such as application requirements, submission instructions, performance measures, and priorities. The listing also provides contacts, including a Grants.gov systems administrator for technical access issues and a program manager within the Department of Education for program-related questions.
Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Program (CFDA 84.215G) - FAQs
What is the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Program?
The Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Program is a discretionary grant competition administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE). It is designed to strengthen literacy development for children from birth through 12th grade, with a focus on children and students served within the attendance boundaries of high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools.
What grades and ages does this opportunity support?
This opportunity supports literacy development from birth through 12th grade. That includes early childhood literacy activities for younger children and reading motivation and achievement efforts for older students.
What is the main purpose of the IAL grants?
The program aims to improve literacy outcomes through well-designed, evidence-supported efforts that expand access to reading materials, strengthen the instructional role of school libraries, and provide engaging literacy experiences that build early skills and encourage older students to read more and read better.
What types of needs is the program trying to address?
A key theme is closing access gaps in high-need communities. The opportunity highlights that many families have limited access to books at home, and many schools lack functional libraries, qualified library media specialists, adequate facilities, or current print and digital collections. IAL funding is intended to help address these gaps.
What kinds of projects does the Department appear interested in funding?
The notice signals interest in innovative approaches that treat school libraries as active learning hubs rather than simply places to store books. Examples described include expanding and updating library collections (print and electronic), building or enhancing library-based literacy activities, and creating learning opportunities that reach all students.
Does the program support book distribution?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly supports broader childhood literacy activities and free book distribution efforts that place age-appropriate and grade-appropriate books into the hands of children and families, especially where access to reading materials at home is limited.
Is the focus only on raising test scores, or also on reading motivation?
The program goal includes raising reading achievement and also building motivation and engagement around reading. The notice frames engagement and motivation as important drivers of long-term literacy growth.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant types listed are: (1) a high-need LEA (as defined in the notice), (2) a national nonprofit organization (as defined in the notice) that serves children and students within the boundaries of a high-need LEA, (3) a consortium of one or more national nonprofits serving children and students within one or more high-need LEAs, or (4) a consortium of high-need LEAs.
What does it mean that eligibility is tied to "high-need LEA boundaries"?
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they serve children and students within the attendance boundaries of high-need LEAs and schools. In other words, the project focus must be tied to serving students in those high-need geographic/attendance areas.
Are charter schools allowed to apply as LEAs?
Charter schools may claim LEA status only if they include documentation from the relevant state educational agency confirming that LEA status, as highlighted in the notice.
Are state-administered schools allowed to apply as LEAs?
State-administered schools may claim LEA status only if they include documentation from the relevant state educational agency confirming that LEA status, according to the documentation requirement described in the notice.
Is the Department planning to prioritize school library projects?
Yes. Assuming enough qualifying applications are submitted, the Department expects to award no less than 50 percent of available funds to LEAs (on behalf of school libraries) for high-quality school library projects that expand access to a wide range of print and electronic resources and provide learning opportunities to all students.
Can national nonprofit organizations receive funding under this competition?
Yes. National nonprofit organizations (as defined in the notice) are listed as eligible applicants if they serve children and students within the boundaries of a high-need LEA. The notice also states the Department reserves the right to fund a sufficient number of strong literacy and book distribution projects submitted by both LEAs and national nonprofits.
Can groups apply together as a consortium?
Yes. The eligible applicant list includes consortia of national nonprofit organizations serving children and students within one or more high-need LEAs, as well as consortia of high-need LEAs.
Is there an evidence requirement?
Yes. The notice indicates IAL funds are intended to support high-quality literacy programming and free book distribution backed by at least one study that meets the notice definition of scientifically valid research.
What is the funding period and fiscal year tied to this competition?
This competition is tied to FY 2012 funding.
When was this grant opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on July 11, 2012, and applications were available the same day.
What was the application deadline?
The deadline to submit applications was August 10, 2012.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated about 30 awards.
What was the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount listed was $28,599,844.
Is cost sharing or a match required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated for this competition.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Applicants were expected to download the application package, complete it offline, and then upload it for submission.
Could applicants submit an application by email?
No. The notice emphasizes that applications cannot be submitted by emailing an electronic copy to the Department.
How should applicants search for the opportunity on Grants.gov?
When searching in Grants.gov, applicants were instructed to search by CFDA number without the letter suffix (search for 84.215 rather than 84.215G).
Is intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372 required?
No. The Federal Register background included an administrative correction stating the Secretary waived Executive Order 12372 intergovernmental review for this competition to ensure timely FY 2012 awards. The corrected notice removed intergovernmental review submission requirements.
Where should applicants look for authoritative requirements, priorities, and performance measures?
The opportunity points applicants to the Federal Register notice as the authoritative source for details such as application requirements, submission instructions, performance measures, and priorities.
Who should applicants contact for technical problems with Grants.gov?
The listing provides a Grants.gov systems administrator contact for technical access issues.
Who should applicants contact for program-related questions?
The listing provides a program manager contact within the U.S. Department of Education for program-related questions.
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