Apply
The 2026 application forms and instructions will be made available here on January 5, 2026. The application cycle will be open from January 5, 2026, to February 17, 2026. To nominate an organization for the 2026 Literacy Awards, please submit the nominated organization’s name and contact information to us at literacyawards@loc.gov.
Below is the 2025 application form and instructions:
- 2025 Literacy Awards Top Prize Application Form (Microsoft Word document, 190 KB) Please complete this application form if you are interested in the Rubenstein, Kislak, American, International, or Successful Practices Honoree prize categories.
- 2025 Top Prize Evaluation Criteria (PDF, 200 KB)
- 2025 Literacy Awards Emerging Strategies Application Form (Microsoft Word document, 169 KB) Please complete this application form if you are interested in the Emerging Strategies Honorees prize category.
- 2025 Literacy Awards Application Instructions and FAQ (PDF, 389 KB)
Please note that the application forms are supported in Microsoft Word 2010 and later. The application can be opened in other programs but may lose checkbox functionality. If the checkbox functionality does not work, please enter your answers manually or reach out to literacyawards@loc.gov.