PBS Stations Compete for Kid Learning Show Funds
Published Date: 5/14/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Education and Health and Human Services are launching a competition to fund public TV stations that create fun, educational shows for preschool and elementary kids. If you’re a public broadcaster with a knack for making and sharing top-notch learning programs, you can apply by July 8, 2026, for a chance to get funding. This program aims to boost school readiness and literacy with fresh, accessible content nationwide.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grant Competition for Public Broadcasters
If you operate a public television or public telecommunications entity, the Department of Education and HHS are running a Ready to Learn Programming grant competition that you can apply to by July 8, 2026, via Grants.gov. The competition offers funding to develop and nationally distribute educational programming for preschool and elementary children.
More Accessible Kids' Learning Content Nationwide
The program will support development and nationwide distribution of accessible instructional TV and digital content to promote school readiness and literacy for preschool and elementary children and their families. The competition explicitly aims to deepen learning and outreach through educational television and interactive media.
Applicant Eligibility and Selection Priorities
To be eligible, applicants must be public telecommunications entities that can demonstrate capacities for national development/distribution, contracting with children's producers, sharing ancillary income appropriately, and localizing programming. The FY 2026 competition includes two competitive preference priorities (Meaningful Learning Opportunities; Applications from New Potential Grantees) and one invitational priority (Promoting Evidence-Based Literacy).
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