OSSE FY2026 Adult and Family Education (AFE) Consolidated Competitive Grant

Funder: District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education

The OSSE FY2026 Adult and Family Education (AFE) Consolidated Competitive Grant aims to support eligible providers in delivering effective adult education and literacy programs. Providers may receive continuation funding based on performance, potentially extending support for up to four additional years.

Adult and Family Education (AFE) Consolidated Competitive Grant
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the District of Columbia agency responsible for the supervision of adult education and adult literacy. OSSE will award on a competitive basis both federal and local funding to eligible providers that have demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education activities.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria:

• An eligible provider is an organization that has demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education activities to eligible individuals and may include:

1. a local educational agency;2) a community-based organization;3) a faith-based organization;4) a volunteer literacy organization;5) an institution of higher education;6) a library;7) a public housing authority;8) a public or private nonprofit organization that is not described above and has the ability to provide adult education and literacy activities to eligible individuals;9) any other organization or entity;10) a consortium, of agencies, organizations, institutions, libraries or authorities described above;11) a partnership between an employer and an entity described above.

Grant funds will be awarded to eligible providers with demonstrated effectiveness to offer Integrated Education and Training (IE&T) programs, inclusive of:

1. adult education and literacy activities2) workforce preparation activities3) workforce training4) digital literacy and digital skills training5) supportive services6) transition services to District residents with basic skills deficiencies, limited English proficiency and barriers to employment to pursue their desired career paths.

Based on continued funding availability, sub-grantee performance, and student progress and outcomes during and at the end of this grant period, providers with evidence of demonstrated effectiveness may be eligible to receive continuation funding, if available, for up to three additional years.
Available Funding for Award:
Based on the availability of funding, approximately $5M to $6.8M will be awarded by OSSE AFE in response to this RFA. This includes approximately $1 million in AEFLA Federal funds, $3.5 to $4 million in AFE State, Local, Gateway to Careers, and Connect2Tech DC Local funds, and $2.3 million in Connect2Tech DC Federal funds.
OSSE expects to award multiyear funding to up to ten eligible providers of demonstrated effectiveness to serve 100 to 125 students each (up to 1,000 students annually) at a cost of $500,000 - $680,000 per year, with a per customer amount of $5,000 - $6,800. Based on sub-grantee performance, student outcomes, and the availability of funding, providers may be eligible to receive continuation funding for up to four additional years:

• July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028 July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029.

The above timeline represents a four-year grant cycle. OSSE AFE will conduct a new grant competition in FY 2028-2029 for funding from the period of July 1, 2029 – June 30, 2034 (five-year grant cycle) to continue to implement IE&T+D program models, as applicable.