Recent grant opportunities from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) include...

       *  Early Reading First Program -- CFDA# 84.359A and B

       *  Grants to Reduce Alcohol Abuse -- CFDA# 84.184A

     Below are excerpts from the "notice inviting applications" for
     each grant opportunity.  For more complete information, please
     see the full notice inviting applications in the Federal
     Register.  We try to ensure that the web version and the
     Federal Register notice are the same; however, the Federal
     Register notice should be consulted for complete and
     authoritative information.

     For application packages and other information related to ED
     funding opportunities, please see:

               http://www.ed.gov/fund/landing.jhtml.

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  Early Reading First Program (Federal Register: December 28, 2007
  [CFDA# 84.359A and B])
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Purpose of Program: This program supports local efforts to enhance
the oral language, cognitive, and early reading skills of
preschool-aged children, especially those from low-income families,
through strategies, materials, and professional development that
are grounded in scientifically based reading research.
    Applications Available: December 28, 2007.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Pre-Applications: February 1, 2008.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Full Applications: April 18, 2008
(for applicants invited to submit full applications only).
    Eligible Applicants: Under this competition, eligible
applicants are (a) one or more local educational agencies (LEAs),
including charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law,
that are eligible to receive a subgrant under the Reading First
program (Title I, Part B, Subpart 1 of the ESEA; (b) one or more
public or private organizations or agencies (including faith-based
organizations) located in a community served by an eligible LEA; or
(c) one or more eligible LEAs, applying in collaboration with one
or more eligible organizations or agencies.  To qualify under
paragraph (b) of this definition, the organization's or agency's
application must be on behalf of one or more programs that serve
preschool-aged children (such as a Head Start program, a child care
program, a family literacy program such as Even Start, or a lab
school at a university), unless the organization or agency itself
operates a preschool program.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $1,500,000-$4,500,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $3,000,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 25-77.

    Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and
other information are available in the Federal Register notice.

Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2007-4/122807b.html

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  Grants to Reduce Alcohol Abuse (Federal Register: January 3, 2008
  [CFDA# 84.184A])
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Purpose of Program: This program provides grants to local
educational agencies (LEAs) to develop and implement innovative and
effective programs to reduce alcohol abuse in secondary schools.
    Applications Available: January 3, 2008.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 19, 2008.
    Eligible Applicants: (a) LEAs, including charter schools that
are considered LEAs under State law.  (b) The Secretary limits
eligibility under this discretionary grant competition to LEAs that
do not currently have an active grant under the Grants to Reduce
Alcohol Abuse program.  For the purpose of this eligibility
requirement, a grant is considered active until the end of the
grant's project or funding period, including any extensions of
those periods that extend the grantee's authority to obligate
funds.
    Estimated Available Funds: $24,500,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $250,000-$450,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $350,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 70.

    Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and
other information are available in the Federal Register notice.

Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2008-1/010308a.html