Nevada Department of EducationNevada Department of Education

Early Childhood Innovative Literacy Program (ECILP)

Overview

The Early Childhood Innovative Literacy Program (ECILP) competitive grant application opportunity is now available. This opportunity encourages innovative approaches to early childhood education and prioritizes projects that show success in improving literacy and readiness for children under six years of age, as well as those that serve areas with a higher proportion of children in need. Funds awarded through the competitive application process are meant to supplement existing general funds, not replace them. Priority will be given to applicants who receive other funding from a private source or receive other funding from a federal grant.

Funding Opportunities:

There are three opportunities for applicants to apply for funding. Applicants may apply for one or both areas. Each area will be scored separately.

  • Opportunity Area #1: funding to expand access to high-quality preschool. This opportunity is open to new and existing Nevada Ready! State Prekindergarten (NR!PK) sub-recipients.
  • Opportunity Area #2: funding to establish an innovative new program or to expand an existing early literacy program that supports children less than the age of six, their families, and early childhood professionals.
  • Opportunity Area #3: Funds can be used on infrastructure for additional space or modifications to buildings that allow enhanced or increased service for students. This will allow sites to apply for funds to retrofit their center and/or utilize capital costs that will allow you to increase or more effectively serve pre-K students. Please be advised that the use of these funds will be thoroughly evaluated. New construction (e.g. portables, new centers) will not be an allowable cost under this project. The applicants may cite details from programs that serve children 6 and under program to meet scoring criteria. Applications must clearly show that funds for capital projects will be used for pre-k aged students and allow sites to serve additional students. Must be a NR!PK! recipient or plan to apply to ECILP#1 to provide additional seats to apply to this opportunity.

Eligible Applicants:

  • School Districts
  • Sponsors of Charter Schools
  • Non-profit Organizations

Applications for FY25 open May 6, 2024. Applications will be accepted through May 30, 2024 5:00 pm. Please note, the funding period begins July 1, 2024. Funding awarded must be expended by June 30, 2025. Applications must be submitted through the following Smartsheet link: ECILP Application Submission

Join us for a Technical Assistance Zoom Webinar on the ECILP grant! This competitive opportunity supports innovative early childhood education projects, focusing on literacy and readiness for children under six. Learn about funding for innovative early childhood programs.

PowerPoint and Recording of TA Session: