Education Grant Program

The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors administers the Education Grant Program under legislative approval to provide one-time grants for state programs that deliver education in engineering and surveying leading toward professional licensure. The Board's 2027 program makes a total of up to $600,000 available. The Board will determine, at its discretion, how many qualified applicants receive awards and the amount awarded to each recipient, with an expressed intent to distribute available funds to as many qualified applicants as possible. Grant funds are intended for capital improvements through the purchase of instructional equipment and educational resources. Examples identified by the Board include computers, survey equipment, laboratory equipment, and library resources. Funds may not be used for facilities or personnel expenses. Installation costs incurred by the academic program or institution are also ineligible for reimbursement. Applicants must provide an itemized list of proposed equipment and materials, including description, unit cost, delivery cost, total cost, and incidental costs such as training, supplier installation, appurtenances, or supplies needed to complete installation. There is no minimum amount that may be requested. Cost sharing is not required, although proposed institutional cost sharing is acceptable and may be considered favorably during evaluation. Eligible applicants are institutions offering specified educational programs. Eligible programs include four-year Bachelor of Science engineering programs accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.; two-year Associate Degree programs offering surveying curricula; and four-year Bachelor of Science degree programs that the Board deems supportive of educational requirements for surveying licensure, including engineering, mathematics, forestry, GIS, and cartography. Surveying and surveying-related programs must verify that their curriculum complies with the Board's surveying curriculum requirements, that the program is active at the time of application, and that graduates pursue careers in surveying. Supporting documentation for surveying education programs should include catalog information verifying courses offered, CVs of key instructors limited to two pages, information about facilities, and data on past and current participating students who pursued careers as Professional Surveyors. Applications must include a cover sheet identifying the program, supporting academic units, institution, program administrators, authorized contracting officer submitting the proposal, contact information for the required individuals, and proposal submission date. A project summary of no more than three pages must describe the equipment or resources to be purchased, their intended use, annual student benefits, courses in which they will be used, and whether the items are replacement, supplemental, or new equipment or materials. Applicants must also discuss the expected useful life and maintenance of proposed items, supporting facility, material and personnel requirements and availability, technical expertise needed for instructional use, and instructors or support staff available to ensure proper use and maximize educational benefits. The Board will evaluate proposals based on the impact of the request on students becoming licensed engineers or surveyors, the type of equipment proposed, how the equipment will benefit student education, the amount requested, the number of students affected, and the procedures proposed to use and maintain the equipment. Cost sharing is not mandatory but may be considered as part of the evaluation. Successful applicants will be required to execute a Memorandum of Understanding associated with the award. Grant applications must be submitted on or before September 30, 2026, by the authorized contracting representative of the institution offering the academic program that intends to use the awarded funds. An institution may submit multiple applications. The Board anticipates notifying all applicants of award decisions by October 21, 2026. Grantees must provide verification of the equipment order and expected delivery date on or before December 4, 2026, including the equipment order date and anticipated receipt date, and should notify the Board as soon as practicable about delays or unused funds. All reimbursement requests must be submitted as soon as possible and no later than May 28, 2027. The source does not identify this grant as recurring or provide an application opening date. Program inquiries may be directed to information@pepls.state.ms.us or 601-359-6160.

Emphasize how the proposed purchase will help students progress toward professional engineer or surveyor licensure; quantify the number of students affected and explain educational benefits; justify the type and amount of equipment requested; provide clear procedures for equipment use and maintenance; demonstrate the useful life and institutional support needed to maximize the purchase; consider cost sharing where feasible because it may be viewed favorably, although it is not required.