Adult Literacy XPRIZE

Adult Literacy XPRIZE is sponsored by The Barbara Bush Foundation. A global competition aimed at developing mobile applications to improve adult literacy.

Adult Literacy XPRIZE Competition Page | XPRIZE Foundation Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE Transforming the lives of low-literate adults Designed to break down barriers to adult education and empower adult learners, this prize challenged teams to create mobile apps that could dramatically improve literacy skills within 12 months, using the devices already in people’s hands.

800% increase in adult literacy tools available worldwide 41 fully functional apps developed and tested 12,000+ adult learners engaged in large-scale field trials Their app delivers 1,400+ lessons in literacy and numeracy through songs, video, and games, reaching 3M+ learners in 40+ countries and driving 250K+ learning hours every month.

We help organizations deliver life-changing learning in ESL, math, and job skills through smartphone-based learning. Learning Upgrade’s courses provide a clear path to higher education and job growth. Each person starts at their own level and then moves up through ESL, literacy, math, diploma, and job skills.

With easy access on their own smartphones at home, learners can make years of progress in just months of accelerated learning. People ForWords’ Codex app turns literacy into an adventure, engaging adults with an archaeological quest that builds reading skills and confidence through interactive gameplay.

With a shared belief that reading is a human right, Literacy Instruction for Texas and Southern Methodist University in Dallas are linking their expertise in adult literacy, education, computer science and mobile gaming to target and change low literacy. Sponsors fund the prize journey from bold idea to breakthrough—shaping each competition, supporting global teams, and accelerating solutions that scale.

Their backing powers impact that lasts well beyond the prize. Sponsor of the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation Sponsor of the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation The Barbara Bush Foundation is the nation’s leading advocate for family literacy.

Founded by former First Lady Barbara Bush, the mission of the Foundation is to advocate for and establish literacy as a value in every home. The goals of the Foundation are simple: We want children to start school ready to excel and help parents improve their literacy skills. Mrs. Bush’s guiding belief was simple – if you helped a person learn to read, their opportunities in life were endless.

To learn more about the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy’s commitment to promote family literacy in homes across America, please visit www. BarbaraBush. org .

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Presenting Sponsor of the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation Dollar General Literacy Foundation Presenting Sponsor of the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation Founded in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) has helped advance the literacy skills of over 6 million individuals and donated more than $100 million to nonprofit, library and school-based literacy programs.

The Foundation’s funding focuses on helping programs deliver quality literacy instruction and increasing access to literacy services. The DGLF believes learning to read is an investment that opens doorways for personal, professional and economic success. It is a gift that no one can take away – a gift that lasts a lifetime.

XPRIZE Alumni, What They Did Next UNLOCKING ADULT LEARNERS' GREATEST POTENTIAL Two Teams Tie for Grand Prize in $7M Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE How we can encourage innovative solutions to poverty and inequality Adult Literacy Is A Real Problem. How Do We Fix It?

XPRIZE and Barbara Bush Foundation To Award Finalist Teams In $7M Adult Literacy XPRIZE And Launch $1M Communities Competition Barbara Bush’s Remarkable Legacy Accelerating Impact for Family Literacy Why We're Building Good Robot Teachers Celebrating Semifinalist Teams, Education Champions and Adult Learners Semifinalist Teams and Field Testing Cities Announced in the $7M Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE Partners play a hands-on role in our prizes—co-designing competitions, supporting operations, and helping scale solutions with their expertise, resources, and global reach.

Title Sponsor, ANA Avatar XPRIZE | General Foundation Partner Title Sponsor, ANA Avatar XPRIZE | General Foundation Partner ANA is Japan’s five-star international airline with 83 international routes and 116 domestic routes. Founded in 1952, ANA bridges the divide between places, people and their cultures.

The airline prides itself on providing passengers with a unique and flawless journey through the airline’s relentless drive towards excellence, innovation and creativity. To learn more, click here .

Dallas County Community College District Supporter of the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation Dallas County Community College District Supporter of the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) are the collective of seven independently accredited colleges of that includes Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake and Richland.

DCCCD is one of the largest community college systems in Texas and since 1965, we have served more than 3 million people. ​ The colleges of DCCCD equip students for successful living and responsible citizenship. In addition, we provide economic benefits to business, taxpayers and the community.

​ Learn more .

City of Philadelphia’s Office of Adult Education Supporter of the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation City of Philadelphia’s Office of Adult Education Supporter of the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Adult Education (OAE), formerly known as the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy has worked to equip all adults in Philadelphia with the education they need for work, family, and civic engagement since 1983.

OAE was charged to work on behalf of over 80 literacy and workforce development programs to help the estimated 550,000 adults in the city functioning below basic adult education levels to qualify for family-sustaining jobs and post-secondary training and education. Learn more .

LAUSD Division of Adult and Career Education Supporter of the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation LAUSD Division of Adult and Career Education Supporter of the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Adult Education (OAE), formerly known as the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy has worked to equip all adults in Philadelphia with the education they need for work, family, and civic engagement since 1983.

OAE was charged to work on behalf of over 80 literacy and workforce development programs to help the estimated 550,000 adults in the city functioning below basic adult education levels to qualify for family-sustaining jobs and post-secondary training and education. Learn more . Former Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education Bennett A.

Shaywitz, M. D. Charles and Helen Schwab Professor in Dyslexia and Learning Audrey G.

Ratner Professor in Learning Development Strategic Partnerships Manager Co-Director of the Institute, Study of Adult Literacy and Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy Former Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education Bennett A. Shaywitz, M. D.

Charles and Helen Schwab Professor in Dyslexia and Learning Audrey G. Ratner Professor in Learning Development Strategic Partnerships Manager Co-Director of the Institute, Study of Adult Literacy and Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy More than 36 million adults in the U.S. alone struggle with basic literacy, impacting employment, health, and family life.

Traditional education models are too rigid, inaccessible, or slow to meet their needs, leaving millions locked out of opportunity. Solutions would deliver engaging, mobile-first learning apps that adults could use anywhere, anytime. By making literacy education fun, adaptive, and accessible, innovations opened new doors to opportunity and lifelong learning.

The $7M Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE was a global competition to improve adult literacy by harnessing the power of mobile technology. Recognizing that many adults lacked time, access, or confidence to return to the classroom, the prize challenged teams to build apps that could significantly improve literacy skills in just 12 months—on devices learners already owned.

Solutions had to work across a range of literacy levels, be usable without teacher support, and demonstrate real learning outcomes in large-scale trials with adult learners. The challenge emphasized functionality, engagement, accessibility, and measurable impact.

Two co-winners emerged: Learning Upgrade, offering 1,400+ lessons across 28 courses through songs, games, and rewards, and reaching millions worldwide; and People ForWords, whose game-based app Codex: Lost Words of Atlantis combined archaeological adventure with reading instruction to keep learners motivated.

The prize helped redefine what effective, inclusive adult education can look like—showing that with the right tools, literacy is within reach for anyone, anywhere. The prize launched in 2015 and concluded in 2019. After extensive field testing with thousands of adult learners, Learning Upgrade and People ForWords were named co-winners, and their apps continue to serve millions today.

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