REQUIRED READING: The Gates Foundation has announced a $6 million competition, its Literacy Courseware Challenge, to spur development of web-based applications designed to help students in grades 4 through 8 master reading and writing skills. Between 20 to 30 awards are expected in amounts varying from $25K to a whopping $500K. Go big and you might get a chance to go to school as well, as those receiving over $100K will have the opportunity to pilot their products. Proposals are due March 29 by 5:00 pm PT, and grants will be announced in June. (Disclosure: the Gates Foundation supports some of EdSurge's work on our database of reviews and reports.)
In related news, the Gates Foundation has also announced the 21 winners of the College Knowledge Challenge, which asked applicants to create apps on the Facebook platform that will help students apply to, attend, and stay in college. We previously covered the competition here back when it was announced at the Facebook HQ.
