Early Childhood Innovative Literacy Program (ECILP) Grant

Early Childhood Innovative Literacy Program (ECILP) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: State of Nevada Department of Education
Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Summary

The Early Childhood Innovative Literacy Program (ECILP) offers a competitive grant aimed at enhancing early childhood education through innovative literacy initiatives. With $70 million available annually, the program prioritizes projects that improve literacy and readiness for children under six, particularly in underserved areas. Applicants can seek funding for expanding preschool access, establishing new literacy programs, or enhancing facilities. This initiative is designed to support both new and existing educational programs, ensuring a focus on quality and effectiveness.

Overview

Overview 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.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.