Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program

The Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. This discretionary grant program is designed to support systemic and sustainable solutions that address student basic needs insecurity across postsecondary institutions. The initiative reflects a broader federal priority to improve student success outcomes by ensuring that students have access to essential resources such as housing, food, childcare, and financial stability while pursuing education and workforce training pathways. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that identify, address, and prevent basic needs insecurity among postsecondary students while also documenting and reporting effective practices that improve academic persistence and completion. The program strongly emphasizes alignment with workforce development strategies, including pathways that connect students to industry-recognized credentials, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, energy, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Applicants are encouraged to integrate basic needs supports with workforce outcomes, recognizing employment as a critical component of long-term student success. Funding under this program is substantial, with an estimated total of 10,000,000 dollars available and individual awards ranging from 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 dollars for a project period of 48 months. The program does not require cost sharing or matching contributions, and it allows for an unrestricted indirect cost rate. Administrative expenses must remain reasonable and necessary in accordance with federal cost principles. Grantees may also issue subgrants to partner organizations as outlined in their approved applications, enabling collaborative and multi-entity project implementation. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes institutions of higher education, consortia or systems of such institutions, and public or private nonprofit organizations and agencies. State education agencies and state higher education agencies are also eligible as public entities. Nonprofit applicants must provide documentation verifying their tax-exempt status. This inclusive eligibility framework allows for diverse partnerships across education systems, government agencies, and community-based organizations to implement comprehensive solutions addressing student needs. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, following federal registration requirements including active accounts in SAM.gov and Grants.gov. The application process requires completion of standard federal forms, a detailed project narrative, a budget narrative, and supporting documentation such as letters of support and proof of nonprofit status where applicable. Applicants must adhere to the Department of Education’s common instructions for discretionary grant programs and ensure timely submission prior to the deadline of June 23, 2026. Intergovernmental review may apply, and applicants are responsible for coordinating with state review processes if required. Applications are evaluated based on established federal selection criteria totaling 100 points. These criteria include the demonstrated need for the project, quality of the project design, strength of the management plan, and rigor of the evaluation strategy. Reviewers assess how well the proposed project addresses identified gaps, aligns with program goals, incorporates evidence-based practices, and includes measurable outcomes. Additional considerations include organizational capacity, community engagement, and the use of data for continuous improvement. Competitive preference points may be awarded for proposals aligned with specific federal priorities. The program operates on a 48-month project timeline, during which grantees are required to collect and report performance data annually. Key performance measures include the percentage of low-income students served, student persistence rates, completion rates, and reductions in basic needs insecurity. Applicants are encouraged to design projects that produce measurable improvements across these indicators. For additional information, applicants may contact the program office via email or phone as provided in the notice.

Align project design with workforce outcomes and measurable student success indicators; clearly demonstrate need and data-driven approach; ensure strong evaluation plan tied to performance measures