Strengthening Institutions Program FY 2026 Competition

The Strengthening Institutions Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education, with operational support from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. This federal discretionary grant program is authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 and is designed to provide financial assistance to institutions of higher education that serve significant numbers of low-income students. The program aims to enhance institutional self-sufficiency by strengthening academic quality, improving institutional management, and stabilizing financial operations. It is part of a broader federal strategy to expand workforce development, improve access to postsecondary education, and align educational outcomes with labor market needs. The primary objective of the program is to build institutional capacity in eligible colleges and universities so they can better serve disadvantaged student populations. Funding supports a wide range of developmental activities, including the improvement of academic programs, enhancement of student services, modernization of facilities, and strengthening of administrative systems. The program also supports initiatives aligned with national priorities such as workforce readiness, development of short-term credential pathways, and integration of artificial intelligence into educational curricula. Applicants must address a required absolute priority focused on strengthening institutional capacity and may optionally compete for additional points by addressing one of several competitive preference priorities. Funding is provided through two primary grant types: Individual Development Grants and Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants. Awards are substantial and span a five-year project period. Individual Development Grants typically range from 2,250,000 to 3,000,000 dollars, while Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants range from 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 dollars. The total estimated funding available for the program is over 365 million dollars, with approximately 600 awards expected. Funds must be used for allowable activities defined in program regulations, and certain expenditures such as fundraising, student recruitment, and standard operational costs are explicitly prohibited. Indirect costs are not permitted under this program. Eligibility is limited to accredited or pre-accredited institutions of higher education that meet specific statutory criteria, including serving a high proportion of needy students and maintaining relatively low educational expenditures per full-time equivalent student. Institutions must also be officially designated as eligible by the Department of Education or receive a waiver through a separate process. Applicants may only submit one application per grant type, and additional restrictions apply to institutions with active or recently completed awards. Cost sharing is generally not required unless funds are used to establish or increase an endowment, in which case matching funds are mandatory. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov following federal registration requirements, including active accounts in SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Required application components include standard federal forms, a project narrative, budget narrative, program profile form, and supporting documentation addressing priorities and selection criteria. The application deadline for this funding cycle is June 23, 2026, with intergovernmental review occurring afterward. The review process involves peer evaluation based on criteria such as project design, implementation strategy, evaluation plan, and alignment with institutional goals. Evaluation of applications is conducted through a structured peer review process using established federal criteria. Applications are scored on factors including the quality of the comprehensive development plan, project design, implementation strategy, personnel qualifications, and evaluation methods. Additional tie-breaker points may be awarded based on institutional financial indicators or proposed activities. Performance measures focus on long-term institutional outcomes such as student enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation earnings. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, with awards supporting a five-year performance period. Applicants are encouraged to design projects with strong first-year outcomes due to uncertainties in future appropriations. Contact information for the program is provided through the Department of Education, including a designated program officer reachable by phone and email. Overall, the Strengthening Institutions Program represents a significant federal investment in improving access to quality higher education and strengthening institutional capacity to serve underserved populations.

Ensure strong alignment with institutional needs assessment and measurable objectives; clearly address absolute priority; provide detailed implementation and evaluation plans; demonstrate institutional capacity and sustainability