The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, today announced its 2026 Literacy Grant recipients. The grants of up to $2,500 were awarded to 8 Phi Kappa Phi members across the nation.

The Literacy Grant Program, established in 2003, is part of the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which currently gives more than $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development and member and chapter awards. Drawing from a multidisciplinary society of students and scholars from large and small institutions, the grants help fund projects ranging from traditional reading initiatives to those fostering learning in cultural, digital, health, historical literacy and beyond.

The 2026 recipients and their respective projects are:

• Andrea Arias Swenson, Career Literacy PLC
• Stephen Bay, Library-Based Naloxone Literacy Training
• Trish Biddix, Promoting Lifelong Learning Beginning with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
• Laurie Garo, I am the Storyteller: The Power of Storytelling for Children’s Literacy and Self-Efficacy
• Metrid Okumu, Digital Magazine & Media Lab
• Elahe Mahmoudi, Metacognitive Reading Workshops for Adult ESL Learners: Read, Monitor, Succeed (Central Texas + Online)
• Liberatus Rwebugisa, Project RISE: Rising Incomes for Socioeconomic Empowerment
• Eden Toner, Oxford Picture Dictionary Workbooks

“Advancing literacy is fundamental to Phi Kappa Phi’s commitment to lifelong learning and the pursuit of knowledge,” said Society Executive Director and CEO, Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer. “Through these grants, we are proud to support members who are creating meaningful opportunities for individuals and communities to learn, grow, and thrive. Their dedication to expanding access to literacy and education reflects the very values our Society champions, and we congratulate this year’s recipients on the lasting impact of their work.”

The winning literacy projects were selected for a grant based on a number of criteria including the project’s scope, student and community involvement, impact, duration and ability to achieve success.

To learn more about this year’s recipients and projects, click here.