Project francis (faithfully retaining, advancing, nurturing, and cultivating indispensable students)

Project FRANCIS Federal Grant Award Summary

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University received a $615,124 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the Higher Education Institutional Aid program (CFDA 84.031) for Project FRANCIS (Faithfully Retaining, Advancing, Nurturing, and Cultivating Indispensable Students). The award, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, supports institutional capacity-building and student retention initiatives at the Catholic, not-for-profit university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The grant funds institutional strengthening and development activities designed to enhance the university's operational capabilities and support student success programs. These efforts align with the broader program mission of strengthening management and fiscal operations at eligible institutions while advancing academic quality and student support services. As a minority-serving institution with approximately 1,200 students and a focus on health care education, the university leverages this funding to build institutional infrastructure and implement retention strategies that support its core educational mission.