Despite a relatively small award pool ($500 million), 35 states, D.C, and Puerto Rico submitted applications for the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge, a joint program of the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. The interest reflects the states' high interest in moving their early childhood programs forward. The applicants were required to create comprehensive plans to improve early learning and development programs around five key areas of reform: establishing successful state systems, defining high-quality, accountable programs, promoting early learning and development outcomes for children, supporting the early childhood education workforce, and measuring outcomes and progress. Applications will undergo peer review by early childhood experts from across the country with winners announced in mid-December. Awards will range from around $50 million up to $100 million, depending on a state's population of children from low-income families and proposed plan