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The U.S. Department of Education announced the availability of the new FY2008 grant competition for the Early Reading First (ERF) Program in the December 28, 2007 Federal Register. A total of $117,666,000 is available for grants awarded under this competition, and applications became available December 28, 2007. Other important deadlines include:
- Deadline for Transmittal of Pre-Applications: February 1, 2008.
- Deadline for Transmittal of Full Applications: April 18, 2008 (for applicants invited to submit full applications only).
- Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 16, 2008.
All applicants must apply in the pre-application phase, and applicants must be invited to submit a full application. Pre- and full applications for grants under this competition must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov site. The eligible local education agency (LEA) list for 2008 can be viewed on ED's Web site.
The ERF program supports local efforts to enhance the oral language, cognitive, and early reading skills of preschool-age children, especially those from low-income families, through strategies, materials, and professional development that are grounded in scientifically-based reading research. Under this competition, eligible applicants are a) one or more local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law, that are eligible to receive a subgrant under the Reading First program (Title I, Part B, Subpart 1 of the ESEA; (b) one or more public or private organizations or agencies (including faith-based organizations) located in a community served by an eligible LEA; or (c) one or more eligible LEAs, applying in collaboration with one or more eligible organizations or agencies. In the past, ASHA members have been awarded ERF grants.
To qualify under paragraph (b) of this definition, the organization's or agency's application must be on behalf of one or more programs that serve preschool-aged children (such as a Head Start program, a child care program, a family literacy program such as Even Start, or a lab school at a university), unless the organization or agency itself operates a preschool program.
For more information on this grant competition, including grant applications, visit ED's Web site, or contact Catherine D. Clarke, ASHA's Director of Education and Regulatory Advocacy, via e-mail at cclarke@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 5611.
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