Read and Lead Maryland: The Maryland Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD) serves as a cornerstone initiative aimed at transforming literacy outcomes across the state. Designed and implemented by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), this grant focuses on addressing persistent literacy achievement gaps, fostering equitable access to high-quality literacy instruction, and equipping educators with the tools and knowledge necessary to deliver evidence-based teaching practices. This initiative seeks to elevate both educator capacity and student achievement, paving the way for academic success and lifelong learning.
This grant operates through a competitive application process, encouraging Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to develop data-driven proposals aligned with state literacy priorities. LEAs will be evaluated on their ability to address the needs of underserved populations, including multilingual learners, economically disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities. Successful applicants will propose strategies tailored to the needs of their students.
When will the application be open?
This Grant Information Guide (GIG) was released on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
Application Submission Date
Monday, April 28, 2025, No later than 5:00 p.m. EST.
Funding Amount Available
$38.3 million will be competitively sub-granted to Maryland LEAs over the life of the five-year grant. The U.S. Department of Education ensures equitable distribution by mandating earmarking a minimum of 15% of funds for programs supporting children from birth through kindergarten entry, 40% for kindergarten through grade 5, and another 40% for grades 6 through 12.
Estimated Number of Grants
TBD
MSDE will hold 4 live TA sessions for interested applicants.
Topic: Application Submission Support
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Video Call Link
To supplement live TA sessions, MSDE will provide:
Recorded TA Sessions – All live TA sessions will be recorded and publicly shared on this website for on-demand access.
Office Hours for Individual LEA TA – MSDE will offer flexible, scheduled office hours where LEAs can choose from available times to meet with MSDE staff for customized support in developing their CLSD grant applications.
Sign up for an Office Hours appointment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Document – Continuously updated based on live session discussions.
The Read and Lead MD Toolkit – A one-stop shop that provides research and published artifacts that can be used in project planning and writing stages.
If you have questions about the application or the process, please contact the Program Manager:
Cristina Rodriguez
Manager of Literacy Programs and Initiatives
cristina.rodriguez@maryland.gov
Following customer service support sessions, a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers will be posted to the MSDE website.
Grant Information Guide (PDF)
Request for Application (PDF)