OSSE Releases the FY26 – FY29 Comprehensive Literacy State Development Request for Applications
OSSE is excited to announce the release of a Request for Applications (RFA) as part of the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant awarded to OSSE by the US Department of Education (USED). OSSE released the RFA on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. The RFA describes the application process and requirements for both Birth-Age 5 (B-5) and Grades K-12 (K-12) Subgrants.
Birth to Age 5 (B-5) CLSD Subgrant Application Process
- View Request for Application (RFA) for the B-5 Subgrant competition: FY26 CLSD B-5 RFA
- Pre-Application Webinar Recordings and Slides:
- Technical Assistance Webinars (Optional but encouraged):
K-12 CLSD Subgrant Competition
- View Request for Application (RFA) for the K-12 Subgrant competition: FY26 CLSD K-12 RFA
- Pre-Application Webinar Recordings and Slides:
- Technical Assistance Webinars (Optional but encouraged):
- Apply Now
- Frequently Asked Questions (Refreshed weekly.)
The CLSD Subgrant Applications are available on EGMS and due on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 at 3 p.m. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
For questions regarding the subgrants, please email OSSE at [email protected].
NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY D.C. Comprehensive Literacy Development Grant – K-12
(released Sept. 12, 2025)
NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY D.C. Comprehensive Literacy Development Grant – B- 5
(released Sept. 12, 2025)
OSSE Awards $16M for the 2020-2025 Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant
In September 2020, Mayor Bowser Announced a $16 Million Federal Grant to Improve Literacy for Students. The five-year Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant will be used to support local education agencies (LEAs) and nonprofit organizations to improve outcomes and strengthen literacy instruction for children and students, birth through grade 12.
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) has held two competitive application processes to award CLSD subgrants. In September 2021, OSSE awarded CLSD subgrants to three organizations and four LEAs, totaling more than $12.9 million to be disseminated in annual allocations between 2021-2025. In September 2022, OSSE announced an additional three LEAs had received CLSD Grades 6-12 (CLSD 6-12) subgrant funds, totaling more than $2.2 million to be disseminated in annual allocations between 2022-2025. The LEAs and organizations awarded with CLSD subgrant funds will utilize funding to target literacy through a range of strategies such as high-quality curricular materials, literacy-focused personnel, professional development for educators and high-impact tutoring.
Overall, the CLSD subgrants awarded by OSSE represent an over $15 million investment in literacy instruction and intervention. Across the District, more than 12,000 students and children are impacted by CLSD subgrant funding, as well as many educators and instructional leaders.
In additional to subgrant funding, OSSE also leverages a portion of the CLSD grant to fund state-wide activities, including the development of the DC State-Wide Comprehensive Literacy Plan, professional development about structured literacy and a city-wide literacy convening.
Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant 2021 Subgrantees
|
School Type |
School Name |
Award Amount |
|
Early Childhood Education |
AppleTree Institute |
$1,353,426 |
|
Early Childhood Education |
Bright Beginnings |
$357,434 |
|
Early Childhood Education |
Martha's Table |
$689,139 |
|
Grades K-5 |
D.C. Preparatory Academy |
$1,499,807 |
|
Grades K-5 |
Eagle Academy PCS |
$1,271,624 |
|
Grades K-5 |
Friendship PCS |
$1,782,350 |
|
Grades K-5 |
Meridian PCS |
$1,844,084 |
|
Grades 6-12 |
Friendship PCS |
$2,421,033 |
|
Grades 6-12 |
Meridian PCS |
$1,690,082 |
Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grades 6-12 (CLSD 6-12) Grant 2022 Subgrantees
|
School Type |
School Name |
Award Amount |
|
Grades 6-12 |
DC Scholars PCS |
$449,519.20 |
|
Grades 6-12 |
KIPP DC |
$927,365.40 |
|
Grades 6-12 |
The SEED School of Washington, D.C. |
$912,000.00 |
For questions about Literacy DC, please contact [email protected].