Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services: Race to the Top: Early Learning Challenge CFDA Number 84.412A Grant Opportunity

Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Race to the Top–Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) program is to improve the quality of early learning and development and close the educational gaps for Children with High Needs.\1\ This program focuses on improving early learning and development for young children by supporting States’ efforts to increase the number of low-income and disadvantaged children in each age group of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are enrolled in high-quality Early Learning and Development Programs. The program also supports States’ efforts to design and implement an integrated system of high-quality Early Learning and Development Programs and services.
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\1\ Defined terms are used throughout the notice and are indicated by capitalization.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.412A.

Applicants for a grant under this competition must submit: (1) An electronic copy of the application; and (2) signed originals of certain sections of the application. Applicants must submit their application in electronic format on a CD or DVD, with CD-ROM or DVD-ROM preferred. We strongly recommend that the applicant submit three CDs or DVDs. Each of these three CDs or DVDs should include the following four files:
(1) A single file that contains the body of the application narrative, including required budget tables, that has been converted into a searchable .PDF document. Note that a .PDF created from a scanned document is not searchable;
(2) A single file in a .PDF format that contains all application appendices;
(3) A single file in a .PDF format that contains all of the required signature pages. The signature pages may be scanned and turned into a PDF. Applicants should also include all signed MOUs or other binding agreements for each Participating State Agency in the application; and
(4) A single, separate file of the completed electronic budget spreadsheets (e.g., .XLS or .XLSX formats) that includes the required budget tables and budget justifications (the spreadsheets will be used by the Departments for budget reviews).

Each of these items must be clearly labeled with the applicant’s name, city, state, and any other relevant identifying information. Applicants also must not password-protect these files. Additionally, please ensure that: (1) All three CDs or DVDs contain the same four files; (2) the files are not corrupted; and (3) all files print correctly. The Departments are not responsible for reviewing any information that is not able to be opened or printed from your application package.
In addition to the electronic files, applicants must submit signed originals of section IV of the application and one copy of that signed original. The Departments will not review any paper submissions of the application narrative and appendices. All applications must be submitted by mail or hand delivery. Whether you submit an application by mail or hand delivery, you must indicate on the envelope the CFDA number, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your application. The instructions for each delivery method are provided below. The Departments must receive the application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on October 16, 2013. If we receive an application after the application deadline, we will not consider that application.