ELG - Professional Development

2025-26 Early Literacy Professional Development Grant Application Window Now Open!

The 2025-26 Early Literacy Grant – Professional Development application is now open in GAINS and will remain so through Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 4:00 PM. Local Education Providers (LEPs) can elect to submit an Intent to Apply, which is intended to save time by identifying LEP eligibility early and ensuring that only those meeting the requirements of the grant proceed with completing the full application. The optional, but encouraged Intent to Apply application is due on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

Application Materials

2025-2026 ELG PD Webinar

Early Literacy Professional Development Grant

House Bill 18-1393 amendments to the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act) authorized the Early Literacy Grant Annual Professional Development (ELG PD) Program. This grant opportunity is designed to support Colorado educators in implementation of scientifically based reading research (SBRR) programs and strategies for K-3 students. These funds are specifically intended for early literacy professional development for elementary educators. This purpose of this grant is to further support ELG grantees in full implementation of Science of Reading by providing extensive training and a network of support for recommended principal coaches. This grant is implemented as a one-year grant cycle.

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to support Colorado educators in the implementation of scientifically based reading research (SBRR) programs and strategies for kindergarten through third grade (K-3) students. These funds are specifically intended for early literacy professional development for elementary educators.

This grant program exists to:

Support schools with quality professional development programming for K-3 educators
Support positive K-3 student achievement outcomes and/or reading competency
Reduce the number of students determined to have a Significant Reading Deficiency (SRD)
Develop sustained student achievement and gains in all tiers over time

ELG Professional Development Application Resources

2025-2026 ELG PD RFA

2025-2026 Intent to Apply

2025-2026 Application via GAINS

2025-2026 ELG Professional Development Timeline

Intent to Apply: Due Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Applications Open in GAINS: Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Applications Due in GAINS: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 by 4:00 PM

Grants will be awarded for a one-year term beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Funds must be expended by June 30, 2026. There will be no carryover of funds. Unobligated funds at the end of the fiscal year will be returned to CDE.

Grantee Eligibility

Local Education Providers who are not currently utilizing scientifically and evidence-based universal instruction or demonstrating significant academic growth may not meet eligibility requirements for this grant opportunity. Applicants must provide a clear professional development plan that will enhance ongoing efforts to improve academic performance and student achievement in early literacy. Applicants that have received ELG PD funds prior and/or are active grantees in the Comprehensive ELG program are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. However, applicants must clearly describe their current grant activities and services within the application and demonstrate how the proposed funding will expand, augment, or sustain these efforts if awarded. Additionally, past expenditure of funds and the quality of program implementation will be taken into consideration during the review process.