Grants Available for Colorado Teen Literature Conference in April

Do you love teen lit? Do you have a student or teen you know who geeks out over teen lit? Then we have exciting news!

Grants are now available for teens and adults to attend the 31st Annual Colorado Teen Literature Conference on Saturday, April 13th, 2019, featuring keynote authors Sandhya Menon and Bill Konigsberg. This annual conference offers breakout sessions that have appeal for teens, educators, librarians, and anyone interested in teen literature.

The conference will be held at the Tivoli Conference Center (900 Auraria Parkway, Denver CO, 80204) on the Auraria Campus. Grant applications for the 2019 conference are open starting November 15th, 2018. The deadline for all grants is January 25th, 2019. All applicants will be notified of final decisions by email.

All grants include conference registrations ($75 for adults and $40 for students), breakfast snacks and lunch at the conference. Grants are awarded before general registration opens. If you do not receive a grant you may register for the conference starting February 4th.

Teen Grants: Each student may only apply for one grant; duplicate applications will result in removal from consideration. Students who have received grants in the past are also not eligible.

  1. Colorado Language Arts Society (CLAS): Students in grades 6-12 and teens who are homeschooled are eligible to apply. Teens may self-nominate or be nominated by a teacher or librarian.
  2. REFORMA Colorado: Students in grades 6-12 and teens who are homeschooled are eligible to apply. Teens may self-nominate or be nominated by a teacher or librarian.
  3. UCD Teen Connection PanelTen teens will be selected to ask authors Sandhya Menon and Bill Konigsberg questions for the audience. You will sit at a table in front of an audience of around 300 people and speak into a microphone to ask your questions. To prepare, you will need to read books by both authors and prepare 5 thoughtful questions to ask both authors.
  4. Teen Grant by The Word: This grant is available to teens from underrepresented groups, including underrepresentation based on: race, cultural, ethnic, or religious identity; gender identity; sexual orientation; physical, cognitive or emotional disability; and socioeconomic adversity. Teens may self-nominate or be nominated by a teacher or librarian. Grant will include an RTD day pass to assist with transportation.

Adult Grants:  Each adult may only apply for one grant; duplicate applications will result in removal from consideration. Adults who have received grants in the past are also not eligible.

  1. Magwitch GrantThis grant is available to adults who advocate for teens, and who are interested in teen Literature and the authors who write for the teen audience. The grant is intended to assist an adult who might otherwise be unable to attend.
  2. Educator Grant by The Word: This grant is available to educators from underrepresented groups, including underrepresentation based on: race, cultural, ethnic, or religious identity; gender identity; sexual orientation; physical, cognitive or emotional disability; and socioeconomic adversity. The grant is intended to assist an educator who might otherwise not be able to attend. Grant will include an RTD day pass to assist with transportation.
  3. Colorado Language Arts Society (CLAS):  This grant is available to teachers and librarians who advocate for teens, and who are interested in teen Literature and the authors who write for the teen audience. The grant is intended to assist an adult who might otherwise not be able to attend.

Please visit their website for questions and more information at: https://www.coteenlit.org/