Early Literacy Grant Program
Forecasted
The Early Literacy Grant Program from the Colorado Department of Education funds K-3 schools to implement and sustain evidence-based reading instruction and professional development.
Funder: Colorado Department of Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant, Sustainability Grant) | November 2026 (Professional Learning Grant)
Funding Amounts: Comprehensive ELG: Four-year awards, funding varies by scope; Sustainability Grant: one-year; Professional Learning Grant: annual, amounts vary.
Summary: Supports Colorado K-3 schools in implementing and sustaining evidence-based reading instruction and professional development to improve early literacy.
Key Information: Forecasted opportunity—dates are projected; eligibility limited to Colorado LEPs (school districts, BOCES, charter schools).
Description
The Early Literacy Grant Program, administered by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) under the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act, aims to improve early literacy outcomes for K-3 students. The program provides funding and resources for local education providers (LEPs) to implement, sustain, and enhance scientifically and evidence-based reading instruction. There are three main grant streams:
- Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant (ELG): Four-year, system-wide grants to establish and operationalize instructional systems rooted in reading science.
- Early Literacy Sustainability Grant: One-year grants for grantees completing a four-year Comprehensive ELG, supporting ongoing literacy achievement.
- Early Literacy Professional Learning (PD) Grant: Annual grants for targeted professional development aligned with the science of reading.
The program supports instructional programming, literacy interventions, professional development, assessment implementation, and sustainability planning, all focused on reducing the number of students reading below grade level.
