The Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Postsecondary Student Success Grants Program (PSSG) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Secretary of Education (Secretary).
Donor Name: Office of Postsecondary Education
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/29/2026
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: 4 Years
Details:
The purpose of PSSG is to improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, transfer, credit accumulation, and completion, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based strategies.
PSSG is designed to improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, transfer (including successful transfer of completed credits), credit accumulation, and completion, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based activities to support data-driven decisions and actions by institutional leaders committed to inclusive student success.
Priorities
- Absolute Priority 1: Early Phase Projects that Demonstrate a Rationale
- Absolute Priority 2: Mid Phase Projects Supported by Moderate Evidence
- Absolute Priority 3: Advancing Artificial Intelligence to support Postsecondary Student Success
- Absolute Priority 4: Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness
- Absolute Priority 5: Developing or Expanding High Quality Short Term Programs
- Absolute Priority 6: Projects That Support College-to Career Pathways and Supports
- Competitive Preference Priority: Returning Education to the States
- Invitational Priority: Innovative, Evidence-Based Financing Models
Funding Information
- Estimated Range of Awards: $2,000,000- $4,000,000 for early phase and $6,000,000-$8,000,000 for mid phase for the 48-month project period.
- Average Award: $3,750,000 for early phase and $7,500,000 for mid phase for the 48-month project period.
- Maximum Annual Award: $4,000,000 for early phase and $8,000,000 for mid phase for the 48-month project period.
Uses of Funds
In addition to supporting the costs of implementing the postsecondary student success intervention, grant funds must also be used for:
- Developing and using data systems, tools, and training to implement data-driven processes and interventions as part of a comprehensive continuous improvement effort, as well as to administer the program effectively at the institution and/or State or system levels; and
- Providing for rigorous evaluation of the program interventions. (Requirement 1 from 2024 NFP)
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, a consortium of institutions of higher education, statewide systems of higher education, public and private nonprofit agencies or organizations, or any of the preceding entities in partnership with a non-profit or business.
- Note: An applicant that is a nonprofit organization may, under 34 CFR 75.51, demonstrate its nonprofit status by providing:
- Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- A statement from a state taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual.
- A certified copy of the applicant’s certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or
- Any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
