Request for Applications: Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) FY 2026-2029
Funding Application:
Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Providers
Notice of Funding Availability
January 2025
Click here to download the RFA packet and guidance
Updated 1/8/2025
Click here to download presentation materials
Click here to view recording of Pre-Application Webinar
Click here to submit questions about the grant application
Responses to questions
Updated 1/16/2025 5:00 P.M.
| Action | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification of funding availability. (Eligible providers may begin submitting questions at this time via the form located at 2025-2029 AEFLA Grant Application Q&A.) Questions are not required to apply. | January 6,2025 |
| Date by which to notify NMHED of intent to apply for grant. (Notify by sending email to adult.education@hed.nm.gov). Notification is not required to apply. | January 13,2025 |
| Final date by which to submit questions to be answered at the pre-application conference. Eligible providers may continue to submit questions via the form after this date, until March 14, 2025 | January 14,2025 |
| Pre-application conference for intended applicants. (Web-based; to be recorded and published on NMHED website.) | January 17, 2025 |
| SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Eligible providers submit their applications to NMHED via email to adult.education@hed.nm.gov. | March 21, 2025 |
| Date by which NMHED will determine demonstrated effectiveness in each application. | March 28, 2025 |
| Date by which NMHED distributes applications (that have demonstrated past effectiveness) to external reviewers and to the Local Workforce Development Board. | March 31, 2025 |
| Local Workforce Development Boards return their feedback to the NMHED. | April 25, 2025 |
| NMHED and external reviewers review applications and NMHED makes the final determination of successful applicants | March 31- May 9, 2025 |
| Notification of providers who are to receive grant awards. | May 12, 2025 |
PUBLIC NOTICE
The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED), Adult Education Division (AED), announces a Request for Applications (RFA) for grant awards to support the operation of Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) programs, Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) programs, and programs for Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals in New Mexico. Providers will deliver services in collaboration with WIOA Titles I, III, and IV partners.
Grants will be funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title II, and by the New Mexico State Legislature. Grant applications cover a four-year funding cycle.
Initial grant awards are for fiscal year 2026, dates July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. Grants may then be renewed for up to three additional years, depending upon availability of funding and performance of programs applying for grant renewals.
These three grant applications are for:
1. WIOA Section 231 – Adult Education and Family Literacy Act;
2. WIOA Section 243 – Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education; and/or
3. WIOA Section 225 – Programs for Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals.
The purpose of these three grant applications are to fund programs that, per Federal Code of Regulations Title 34 Subtitle B Chapter IV Part 463—Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Subpart A—Adult Education General Provisions (§ 463.1, 34 CFR 463.1, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-463.1),
(a) Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;
(b) Assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills that—
(1) Are necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children; and
(2) Lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family;
(c) Assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, through career pathways; and
(d) Assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in—
(1) Improving their—
(i) Reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; and
(ii) Mathematics skills; and
(2) Acquiring an understanding of the American system of Government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship.
(Authority: 29 U.S.C. 3271)
Beginning January 6th, 2025, a copy of the RFA may be obtained at https://hed.nm.gov/students-parents/adult_education/funding-opportunities-and-past-competitions/2025-2029-aefla-request-for-applications-rfa