Fluency Innovator Grant Program

The Fluency Innovator Grant 2025 is a competitive funding opportunity offered by Foundations in Learning, the creators of WordFlight. Foundations in Learning is an education-focused organization headquartered in Coralville, Iowa, dedicated to developing literacy solutions grounded in the Science of Learning. The organization offers a variety of resources, including assessment and instructional tools, to support students' reading proficiency, with a particular emphasis on helping struggling readers bridge the gap between phonics and fluency. The Fluency Innovator Grant is designed to provide educators with access to WordFlight, an adaptive, research-backed literacy intervention program. The primary purpose of the grant is to assist educators in improving reading fluency outcomes for students in grades 3 and above. WordFlight is a personalized reading intervention tool that supports the development of foundational reading skills, especially in students who continue to struggle despite previous interventions. The program has shown promising results, with reports indicating that 90% of struggling middle school students achieved proficiency in foundational reading skills after consistent use. This grant aims to expand the program’s reach by offering free four-month subscriptions to qualifying applicants for the Fall 2025 implementation period. Grantees will receive access to a complete WordFlight subscription from the award date through September 1, 2025. This includes a multi-part toolkit: a screener to identify students in need of support, a patented diagnostic assessment that evaluates key components of fluency, an engaging and adaptive instructional platform, and teacher-directed lesson plans compatible with multi-tiered support frameworks. Additionally, recipients will benefit from tailored implementation support, professional development, and ongoing customer service throughout the grant term. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based schools that are not current WordFlight customers and have not previously received a WordFlight grant. Educators serving students in grades 3 and above are encouraged to apply. Applications can be submitted by individual teachers (with administrative approval) or by school administrators on behalf of their buildings. Priority is given to schools or districts that submit multiple applications, highlighting the value of collaborative implementation. A minimum of 15 students must participate in the program. Eligible student populations include those at risk for reading failure, English Language Learners with sufficient conversational English, and students with dyslexia or special education needs—provided implementation plans are coordinated during the planning stage. To fulfill the grant obligations, participants must begin implementation by September 15, 2025. They must ensure daily program usage of 20 minutes over four to five days per week. Schools must provide adequate technology and enable staff participation in planning and training sessions. Additionally, teachers must complete short surveys during the grant period, and grantees must consent to the use of anonymized data and feedback for product improvement and public sharing of results. Applications are accepted from April 7 through September 1, 2025, or until all spots are filled. Grants are awarded on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis. Selected applicants will be invited to an interview with the WordFlight team, which must include an administrator authorized to support the grant’s implementation. The grant does not offer a pre-application process, and there is no matching requirement. Interested educators can request an application by filling out a form on the WordFlight website. Contact information for Foundations in Learning is also provided for further inquiries.

Preference given to schools or districts with multiple applicants and administrator buy-in.