Hawaii is seeking up to $50 million in federal funding under the government’s new early learning challenge in its Race to the Top program.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office said Tuesday it alerted the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services last week that it intends to participate in the program, meeting a July 15 deadline.

The early learning grant competition is meant to support states’ efforts to increase numbers of low-income children enrolled in early learning programs, design an integrated system of programs and address demands of high-need children.

Abercrombie says he wants to make permanent education changes that will improve the lives of children in Hawaii.

The states that win grant money will be announced by the end of this year.