ND CLIMBS Legendary Learners B-5 Funding Opportunity 3 Application

 

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) Office of Academic Support invites elementary schools within eligible LEAs to submit a North Dakota Comprehensive Literacy Improvement through Measured Building Systems (ND CLIMBS) Grant application.

Updates about program requirements and more detailed information can be found on the ND CLIMBS webpage.

Program Summary

The ND CLIMBS project aims to establish and sustain collaborative conditions for delivering high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction across North Dakota, focusing on four key goals:

1. Establishing systems to sustain collaborative conditions for the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction.
2. Equipping administrative building instructional leaders (ABIL) to create and sustain collaborative conditions for educators to deliver high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction.
3. Supporting educators in delivering high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction to students.
4. Providing high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction to all students to achieve literacy skills proficiency.

The objectives include:

• Supporting school teams in planning and managing effective literacy systems to achieve student proficiency.
• Offering professional learning opportunities for administrative leaders to improve ELA leadership practices.
• Offering high-quality professional development aligned with the Science of Reading for educators to enhance instructional practices.
• Contracting with external vendors to support educators in delivering high-quality instruction.

This project addresses the four competitive priorities of the CLSD program:

• Priority 1: Enhancing teacher education and student placement tools among institutions.
• Priority 2: Addressing pandemic-related educational setbacks, particularly for underserved students.
• Priority 3: Promoting educational equity and resource access across all education levels.
• Priority 4: Building educator capacity through professional development and supporting students through key educational transitions. The project also meets the invitational priority by designing projects that support effective transition practices for students moving through early educational stages.

Application Webinar

A webinar regarding the online application process will be presented on August 24, 2026, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. This webinar will be recorded and posted on the ND CLIMBS webpage. Link to attend the webinar.

Online Guidance

The ND CLIMBS webpage will host documents related to the application, including a Q&A resource.

Application Review and Selection

Each application will undergo an independent review process to assess the relevance and quality of the information provided, as well as the applicant's ability to implement the program elements. The application has a possible score of 100 points. Those scoring the highest will be considered for an award, with 15% of all ND CLIMBS subgrantee funds going to Early Childhood programming, 40% to elementary schools, and 40% to secondary schools, including middle and high schools. Elementary and secondary applications are currently being accepted. For more information, please visit the linked website.

The ND CLIMBS Legendary Learners B-5 Scoring Tool provides detailed information about the application scoring considerations.

Application Schedule

The following is the estimated application schedule that will be followed. 

Funding Opportunity Announced	August 19, 2026
Application Webinar	August 24, 2026, @ 3:30 p.m. CT Link to Join
Application Due	September 2, 2026, @ 11:45 p.m. CT
Review and Validation of Scores	September 2-18, 2026
Approval and Notice of Selection	September 30, 2026

 

Application Specifications

Any eligible public North Dakota Local Education Agency (LEA) may apply on behalf of each of their elementary schools. Applications will be completed at the elementary school building level. Applicants who are identified under NDFIRST or School Improvement programming will receive priority points.

Applicants will be required to make the following assurances:

• Prioritize at-risk children.
• Supplement, not supplant.
• Conduct a local needs assessment for the application process
• Cooperate and comply with state and national literacy evaluations, including responding appropriately to performance feedback and engaging in a continuous improvement process.
• The business manager will engage in grant process training and updates.
• Administer the North Dakota Academic Progression of Learning & Understanding of Students (NDA+) interim fall assessment to incoming kindergartners.
• Maintain Legendary Learner Coordinator participation in the State cohort.
• Develop and demonstrate implementation of a school readiness transition plan.
• Submit annual review and reapplication documentation.
• Allocate reasonable funds for evidence-based activities, including expenses for: personnel, consulting contracts, supplies, professional development, travel, etc., according to the needs and goals outlined in the program narrative and account for all grant requirements.
• Ensure or work toward aligning the K-3 reading curriculum with the requirements of the North Dakota Century Code, including the removal of contrary practices.

Contact Information

The primary point of contact for this application process is Taylor Olsen, Project Coordinator, Office of Academic Support. In correspondence, please cc Brenda Ehrmantraut, Assistant Director.

Project Coordinator: Taylor Olsen (Primary Point of Contact)

Phone: 701-328-2629

Email: tlolsen@nd.gov 

 

Project Director: Brenda Ehrmantraut

Phone: 701-328-1809

Email: blehrmantraut@nd.gov 

Submission Information and Deadline for Receipt of Applications

The application and attachments must be submitted online by September 2, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time. Failure to apply before the deadline may result in its rejection.

Questions

All questions must be submitted in writing to Taylor Olsen, the primary point of contact.

If the question can be answered by directing it to a specific section of the application, guidance, or FAQ, we may respond to it over the telephone. Other questions may be more complex and require a written description. The point of contact will make this determination. NDDPI considers oral communication unofficial and non-binding.

Amendments

If an amendment to this Funding Opportunity is issued, it will be posted on the ND CLIMBS webpage.

Please provide a narrative that addresses your school’s current reality, current needs, understanding of improvement approaches, and capacity and willingness to engage in the work in each of the narrative categories below: 

• Community Connections
• School Readiness Transition Plan
• Disadvantaged B-5 Learners
• Legendary Learners Literacy Coordinator Plan
• K-3 Reading Curriculum 

The Building Principal will address a signed application letter to the review committee addressing the following:

• Interest in the grant and desire to improve school readiness
• Interest in working to increase the quality and quantity of literacy opportunities for disadvantaged learners
• Interest in working with the Legendary Learners Coordinator and community partners to achieve grant goals

* Each school applying for this grant must submit a Leadership Commitment and Authority Letter of Application.

• Prioritize at-risk children.  
• Supplement, not supplant. 
• Conduct a local needs assessment for the application process.
• Cooperate and comply with state and national literacy evaluations, including responding appropriately to performance feedback and engaging in a continuous improvement process.
• The business manager will engage in grant process training and updates. 
• Administer North Dakota Academic Progression of Learning & Understanding of Students (ND A+) interim fall assessment to incoming kindergartners.
• Maintain Legendary Learner Coordinator participation in the State cohort.
• Develop and demonstrate implementation of a school readiness transition plan.
• Submit annual review and reapplication documentation.
• Allocate reasonable funds for evidence-based activites, including expenses for personnel, consulting contracts, supplies, professional development, travel, etc., according to the needs and goals outlined in the program narrative, and account for all grant requirements.
• Ensure or work toward alignment of the K-3 reading curriculum to the requirements of ND Century Code including the removal of contrary practices.