Ready To Learn Programming | ED GRANT 26 055

Ready To Learn Programming (RTL) Grant (CFDA 84.295) - FAQs

1) What is the Ready To Learn Programming (RTL) grant?

The Ready To Learn Programming (RTL) grant is a discretionary education grant offered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. It is designed to improve school readiness and academic outcomes for preschool and elementary-aged children, with an emphasis on reaching children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

2) What is the main purpose of RTL funding?

RTL funds the creation and national distribution of high-quality educational media that children and families can access and use. The program is centered on instructional programming and related digital content that can reach children at home and in communities through public television and online platforms.

3) Does RTL fund general classroom instruction or school-based teaching?

No. Based on the opportunity description, RTL is focused on instructional programming and related digital content distributed through public television and the internet, plus outreach materials and activities connected to that programming. It is not described as a general classroom instruction grant.

4) Who is the target audience for RTL-funded programming and content?

The target audience is preschool and elementary-aged children and their families, especially children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The programming is intended to support early learning skills and academic achievement.

5) What are the three main goals of the RTL program?

The opportunity identifies three main goals:

• Develop and disseminate accessible instructional programming to build early learning skills and boost academic achievement for young children and their families.
• Produce and distribute Ready To Learn content for nationwide delivery via public television stations' digital broadcast channels and the internet.
• Create educational outreach materials and activities that help caregivers, educators, and communities extend learning from the programming into real-world practice.

6) What kinds of products or deliverables does RTL support?

RTL supports educational products that include instructional television programming and related digital content distributed nationally. It also supports educational outreach materials and activities designed to deepen the impact of the programming.

7) What distribution channels are emphasized for RTL content?

RTL emphasizes nationwide delivery through public television stations' digital broadcast channels and through the internet, reflecting multi-platform viewing and learning habits of families.

8) Is educational outreach part of what RTL funds?

Yes. RTL funds educational outreach materials and activities intended to deepen the impact of the programming, helping caregivers, educators, and communities translate content from TV and interactive components into real-world learning experiences.

9) What quality expectations apply to RTL educational media?

RTL projects are expected to meet high standards of educational quality and be grounded in developmentally appropriate curriculum frameworks that align with widely accepted learning standards. The programming is expected to be intentionally designed around credible early learning and elementary learning goals, appropriate to children’s developmental stages, and built to support measurable learning progress.

10) Who is eligible to apply for the RTL grant?

Eligibility is narrow. The applicant must be a public telecommunications entity and must be able to demonstrate specific capacities related to developing and distributing educational programming and related activities.

11) What specific capacities must an eligible applicant demonstrate?

According to the opportunity description, an eligible applicant must demonstrate:

• The ability to develop and nationally distribute high-quality educational and instructional television programming that is accessible to a large majority of disadvantaged preschool and elementary school children.
• The ability to contract with children’s television producers to develop high-quality educational programming.
• The ability, consistent with the entity’s nonprofit mission, to negotiate contracts in a way that returns an appropriate share of ancillary income from program-related products (such as related merchandise or educational materials).
• The ability to localize programming and accompanying materials to address state and local needs, including providing educational outreach at the local level.

12) Can a group or consortium apply?

Yes. The program allows consortium applications, but the group must follow federal procedures for group applications under 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129.

13) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed for this opportunity is ED GRANT 26 055.

14) What is the CFDA number for RTL?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 84.295.

15) What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is July 8, 2026.

16) How many awards does the agency expect to make?

The agency anticipates making about three awards.

17) Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed?

The posted award ceiling is listed as 0. This typically indicates applicants should consult the full notice or official application package for specific funding limits, budget expectations, or award ranges rather than relying on a single maximum amount shown in the summary.

18) What does it mean that the award ceiling is listed as 0?

In the summary field, a ceiling of 0 commonly signals that the specific maximum amount is not provided in that summary and that applicants should refer to the official notice or application package for details on funding limits or expected award sizes.

19) Is RTL focused on national reach, local implementation, or both?

Both. RTL emphasizes national distribution through public television and the internet, while also expecting the ability to localize programming and materials to address state and local needs, including educational outreach at the local level.

20) Are applicants expected to show that the programming is more than entertainment?

Yes. The description indicates applicants are expected to demonstrate that programming is intentionally designed around credible learning goals, aligned with widely accepted learning standards, developmentally appropriate, and capable of supporting measurable learning progress.