Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant

The North Dakota Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant 2024, administered by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI), supports statewide efforts to strengthen literacy outcomes among disadvantaged students from birth through grade 12. Through the ND CLIMBS initiative—Comprehensive Literacy Improvement through Measured Building Systems—the grant promotes the establishment of sustainable partnerships between Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) and Local Education Agencies (LEAs). These partnerships are structured to enhance evidence-based literacy instruction and better align educator preparation with the instructional demands found in North Dakota’s K–12 systems. This grant is designed to foster collaboration that enhances three core stages of educator development: preservice preparation, early-career induction (first two years of teaching), and ongoing professional growth. Successful partnerships will co-develop systems and resources that improve literacy instruction delivery, with an emphasis on addressing gaps in alignment between higher education institutions and K–12 literacy systems. The initiative specifically responds to challenges identified in teacher readiness, instructional coherence, and the preparedness of cooperating teachers who mentor novice educators. Key outcomes expected from the funded projects include improved coherence between EPP and LEA practices, increased educator effectiveness and retention, and better student literacy outcomes. To achieve this, funded partnerships must design projects that include system evaluation and refinement strategies, early-career teacher support systems, and continuous collaboration models among faculty, teachers, and instructional leaders. Each funded partnership is also required to produce a final deliverable—a scalable, evidence-based literacy resource or toolkit suitable for statewide use. Funding may support a range of eligible activities, including partnership coordination, professional learning, resource development, and program evaluation. All expenditures must adhere to the ND CLSD federal funding guidelines and meet supplement-not-supplant requirements. Four grants of up to $175,000 each will be awarded—two for elementary-level literacy partnerships and two for secondary-level literacy partnerships. The grant performance period runs from June 2026 through September 2029. To apply, eligible partnerships must include an LEA from the official ND CLIMBS list and an accredited EPP from a North Dakota higher education institution. Applications must demonstrate shared leadership, joint development of the project, and active participation from all partner types. Required components for submission include a completed application form, grant narrative (max 20 pages), proposed budget and narrative, and commitment letters from each partner. Applications will be evaluated on criteria such as demonstrated need, alignment to evidence-based literacy practices, strength of partnership, project design, and the proposed statewide resource. The application window opened on March 16, 2026, with a submission deadline of April 27, 2026. Award notifications are scheduled between June 1–5, 2026, and project implementation begins June 8, 2026.