The Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program supports high-quality programs designed to develop and improve literacy skills for children and students from birth through 12th grade in high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) administers the program, with the Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor soliciting applications on behalf of ED. IAL promotes innovative literacy programs in low-income communities, including efforts to enhance school library programs, provide early literacy services through pediatric settings, and distribute high-quality books to children and adolescents.

Overview

The IAL program funds projects that focus on three primary activities:

• Developing and enhancing effective school library programs, which may include professional development for school librarians, books, and up-to-date materials for high-need schools.
• Providing early literacy services, including pediatric literacy programs where medical providers trained in research-based methods give developmentally appropriate books and reading recommendations to parents during well-child visits.
• Providing high-quality books on a regular basis to children and adolescents from low-income communities to increase reading motivation, performance, and frequency.

By expanding access to high-quality books, strengthening school library programs, and promoting early language and literacy development, the program aims to improve reading proficiency and long-term literacy outcomes for students in high-need LEAs.

Funding and Benefits

• Program Funding: $16,800,000
• Expected Number of Awards: 25
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Funding Opportunity Number: DOL-OESE-33831
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Category of Funding Activity: Employment, Labor, and Training

Eligibility

To be considered for an award, an applicant must be one or more of the following:

• A local educational agency (LEA) in which 20 percent or more of the students served are from families with an income below the poverty line (as defined in section 8101(41) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA)).
• A consortium of such LEAs.
• The Bureau of Indian Education.
• An eligible national nonprofit organization that serves children and students within the attendance boundaries of one or more eligible LEAs.

Poverty determinations are based on U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) data. LEAs for which SAIPE data are not available must provide a State educational agency determination based on State-derived poverty data. Nonprofit organizations must demonstrate nonprofit status in accordance with 34 CFR 75.51.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. The official application notice and instructions are available in the Final 84.215G IAL FY2026 Application Notice and Instructions document, posted on April 24, 2026. Additional information can be found on the ED grants page for Innovative Approaches to Literacy.

Link to additional information: https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-birth-grade-12/well-rounded-education-grants/innovative-approaches-literacy

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: June 9, 2026 – Electronically submitted applications must be received no later than 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time.
• Posted Date: April 8, 2026
• Archive Date: July 9, 2026

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: Simon Earle, PhD
Email: Simon.Earle@ed.gov