For Publication FY 2026 Educational Opportunity Centers 84.066A Application Notice and Instructions (003).pdf

U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education

Educational Opportunity Centers Program

Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Competition Posted March 30, 2026

Contents Program Information

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Costs

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Program Description

Overview

Priorities

Selection Criteria

Performance Measures

Application Submission Information

Application Review Information

Definitions

Award Requirements

Application Checklist

Program Information The Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor), is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the Educational Opportunity Centers Program (EOC) on behalf of the U.S.

Department of Education (ED). The purposes of the EOC Program are to:

provide information regarding financial and academic assistance available for qualified individuals who want to enter or continue to pursue a program of postsecondary education; provide assistance to those individuals in applying for admission to institutions that offer programs of postsecondary education, and improve the financial and economic literacy of program participants.

Assistance Listing Number: 84.066A.

OMB Control Number: 1840-0820.

Program authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 20 U.S.C. 1070a-16.

For further information contact: Rachael Wiley, Ed.D, Telephone: (202) 987-0396.

Email: Rachael.Wiley@ed.gov, or Sharon Easterling, Telephone: (202) 453-7425.

Email: Sharon.Easterling@ed.gov

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Estimated Available Funds: $52,611,659.

Estimated Range of Awards: $238,000- $3,000,000

Maximum Annual Award:

• For an applicant that has not been designated by their Governor as the state-level applicant, the annual maximum award is $1,300,000.

• For one state-level applicant that has been designated by their Governor as the state-level applicant, or for any Indian tribe receiving points under the competitive preference priority, the maximum annual award amount is $3,000,000.

• All projects must serve a minimum of 850 participants annually, and have an annual per-participant cost of no more than $280.

• Note: ED is establishing an increased maximum award amount for a limited number of state-level applicants to take advantage of how States are uniquely situated to serve more participants with fidelity and administer higher award amounts with appropriate fiscal oversight. Consistent with 34 CFR 75.232, ED will conduct a cost analysis of proposed projects prior to setting any final award amount to ensure all costs are necessary, reasonable, and allowable under applicable statutes and regulations.

Estimated number of awards: 55

Project Period: 60 months

Application Deadline: May 14, 2026

Note: ED is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

mailto:Rachael.Wiley@ed.gov

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

(a) An institution of higher education ((as defined in sections 101 and 102 of the

HEA)).

(b) A public or private agency or organization, including a community-based organization with experience in serving disadvantaged youth.

Note: State educational agencies and State workforce agencies may apply as public organization.

(c) A secondary school (as defined in 34 CFR 644.7(b)).

Note: Charter Schools may apply as a secondary school.

(d) A combination of the types of institutions, agencies, and organizations described in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section.

Costs Cost Sharing

This program does not require cost sharing or matching.

Indirect Cost Rate Information

This program uses a training indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an entity’s actual cost, as determined in its negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.

Administrative Cost Limitation

This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses.

All administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform Guidance.

Subgrantees

Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under this competition may award subgrants to directly carry out project activities described in its application to the following types of entities: local educational agencies (LEAs), Institutions of Higher Education (IHE)s, secondary schools and other public or private entities suitable to carry out the activities https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.708 proposed in the application. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application.

Other

An applicant may submit more than one application for an EOC Program grant so long as each application describes a project that serves a different target area (34 CFR 644.10(a)).

The term “target area” is defined as a geographic area served by a project (34 CFR 644.7(b)).

Use of Funds

The EOC program authority specifies a list of permissible services.1 The program regulations (34 CFR 644.31) identify unallowable costs in the EOC Program. Costs that are unallowable under the Educational Opportunity Centers program include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Tuition, fees, stipends, and other forms of direct financial support for participants.

(b) Research not directly related to the evaluation or improvement of the project.

(c) Construction, renovation, and remodeling of any facilities.

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Applications Available March 30, 2026 Application Deadline May 14, 2026 Deadline for Intergovernmental Review July 13, 2026

Applicants are required to follow the 2025 Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42234) and available at ED 2025 Common Instructions.

1 See section 402F(b) of the HEA.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-644.10#p-644.10(a) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-644.7#p-644.7(b) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-644.7#p-644.7(b) https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-765/pdf/COMPS-765.pdf

Program Description

Overview The EOC program supports counseling and assistance for low-income, first-generation and other priority adults (age 19 and older) who seek to enter or return to a postsecondary education. In the FY 2026 competition, the Administration is incentivizing EOC projects that deliver personalized guidance on admissions, financial aid, and economic literacy while expanding the menu of accessible pathways to mobility, including Registered Apprenticeships as well as high-quality short-term postsecondary programs aligned with the newly established Workforce Pell Grant Program.

Aligned with the Secretary of Education’s priorities on Expanding Education Choice and Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness, this EOC competition seeks proposals that go beyond traditional college enrollment to open doors to a full spectrum of high-quality post-secondary options. This includes robust, new or enhanced services focused on Registered Apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences that combine paid, on-the-job training with academic credit and industry recognized credentials in high demand fields such as skilled trades, healthcare, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and AI related occupations.

Grant applications must detail ways in which participants will receive individuals career exploration and advising that highlights apprenticeship opportunities alongside college programs; hands-on assistance with apprenticeship or college applications; workshops on comparing the long-term costs and benefits of pathways (including earnings potential vs.

student debt); tutoring; and seamless coordination and integration with State workforce agencies, talent marketplaces, and credential registries, including learning and employment records (LERs).

By expanding services in direct response to these national priorities, and in particular, to America’s Talent Strategy, EOC grantees empower disconnected adults—including veterans, individuals with disabilities, foster youth, and others—to chart a course to postsecondary attainment and economic mobility.2

2 https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/2025/08/Americas-Talent-Strategy-Building-the-Workforce-for-the-Golden-Age.pdf https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/2025/08/Americas-Talent-Strategy-Building-the-Workforce-for-the-Golden-Age.pdf https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/2025/08/Americas-Talent-Strategy-Building-the-Workforce-for-the-Golden-Age.pdf

Priorities This notice includes one absolute priority, one competitive preference priority, and one invitational priority. The absolute and competitive preference priorities are from the Secretary’s Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs (Supplemental Priorities), published in the Federal Register on September 9, 2025 (34 CFR Part 75).3

All priorities that are being addressed must be identified in the abstract form and the project narrative section of the application.

Absolute Priority: For Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, the priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet the absolute priorities. Each application must clearly identify the specific subset of the absolute priority for which a grant is requested.

Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2026, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. An application may be awarded 5 additional points under the competitive preference priority. ED will not review or award points where an applicant fails to clearly identify the competitive preference priority that it wishes ED to consider for purposes of awarding competitive preference priority points.

Invitational Priority: For FY 2026 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.

Priorities

Title Required Points Priority Language Absolute Priority— Expanding Education Choice

Yes N/A Projects or proposals that will do one or more of the following:

(a) expand access to one or more of the following at the high school or postsecondary level: Distance education, pre-apprenticeships, and Registered

3 Federal Register :: Final Priorities and Definitions-Secretary's Supplemental Priorities and Definitions on Evidence-Based Literacy, Education Choice, and Returning Education to the States https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.105#p-75.105(c)(1) https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/09/2025-17310/final-priorities-and-definitions-secretarys-supplemental-priorities-and-definitions-on https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/09/2025-17310/final-priorities-and-definitions-secretarys-supplemental-priorities-and-definitions-on

Apprenticeships, including apprenticeships for in-school or out-of-school youth.

(b) expand access to programs or coursework that lead to in-demand, industry-recognized postsecondary credentials.

Competitive Preference Priority— Returning Education to the States

No 0 or 5 points

Projects or proposals that will be carried out by one or more of the following:

(a) State educational agencies (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801(49)),

(b) State workforce development agencies or boards,

(c) State higher education agencies (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1003(22),

(d) An Indian Tribe (as defined in 25 U.S.C.

5304(e)), Tribal organization (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304(l)), or Tribal educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C.

7452(b)(3))

Invitational Priority— Talent Marketplaces

No N/A Projects that are designed to strengthen their individualized personal, career, and academic counseling (as authorized in 402F(b)) to improve student persistence, postsecondary access and opportunity, and create a scalable data infrastructure that connects education to workforce outcomes by doing the following:

(a) integrating learning and employment records (LER) with AI-enabled learner wallets to transform support services into personalized, skills-based pathways to postsecondary success and employment, and

(b) expanding access to talent marketplaces composed of credential registries (e.g. publishing education and https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/7801 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/1003 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/25/5304 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/25/5304 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/25/5304 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/7452 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/7452 training programs in structured, open, linked, and interoperable data formats), skills based job description generators, LERs that connect EOC participants, employers, and education providers through a common currency of skills.

Selection Criteria Selection criteria outline how the application will be scored. The maximum possible total score an application can receive for addressing the criteria is 100 points. The maximum possible score for addressing each criterion is indicated in parentheses following the criterion. The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 644.21.

(a) Need for the project (24 points). The Secretary evaluates the need for an EOC project in the proposed target area on the basis of the extent to which the application contains clear evidence of--

(1) A high number or percentage, or both, of low-income families residing in the target area;

(2) A high number or percentage, or both, of individuals residing in the target area with education completion levels below the baccalaureate level;

(3) A high need on the part of residents of the target area for further education and training from programs of postsecondary education in order to meet changing employment trends; and

(4) Other indicators of need for an EOC project, including the presence of unaddressed educational or socio-economic problems of adult residents in the target area.

(b) Objectives (8 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of the applicant’s objectives and proposed targets (percentages) in the following areas on the basis of the extent to which they are both ambitious, as related to the need data provided under selection criterion (a) of this section, and attainable, given the project’s plan of operation, budget, and other resources--

(1) Secondary school diploma or equivalent (2 points).

(2) Postsecondary enrollment (3 points).4

(3) Financial aid applications (1.5 points).

(4) College admission applications (1.5 points).

4 Postsecondary enrollment includes enrollment in Registered Apprenticeships.

Note: Applicants must use the standardized objectives listed on the Educational Opportunity Centers Program Profile Form. These objectives cannot be changed or modified. Any other objectives will not be accepted or assessed.

(c) Plan of operation (30 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of the applicant’s plan of operation on the basis of the following:

(1) The plan to inform the residents, schools, and community organizations in the target area of the goals, objectives, and services of the project and the eligibility requirements for participation in the project (4 points);

(2) The plan to identify and select eligible participants and ensure their participation without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, or disability (4 points);

(3) The plan to assess each participant’s need for services provided by the project (2 points);

(4) The plan to provide services that meet the participants’ needs and achieve the objectives of the project (12 points);

(5) The management plan to ensure the proper and efficient administration of the project including, but not limited to, the project’s organizational structure, the time committed to the project by the project director and other personnel, and, where appropriate, its coordination with other projects for disadvantaged students (8 points).

(d) Applicant and community support (16 points). The Secretary evaluates the applicant and community support for the proposed project on the basis of the extent to which the applicant has made provision for resources to supplement the grant and enhance the project's services, including—

(1) Facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel, and other resources committed by the applicant (8 points); and

(2) Resources secured through written commitments from schools, community organizations, and others (8 points).

(e) Quality of personnel (9 points).

(1) The Secretary evaluates the quality of the personnel the applicant plans to use in the project on the basis of the following:

(i) The qualifications required of the project director (3 points).

(ii) The qualifications required of each of the other personnel to be used in the project (3 points).

(iii) The plan to employ personnel who have succeeded in overcoming the disadvantages of circumstances like those of the population of the target area (3 points).

(2) In evaluating the qualifications of a person, the Secretary considers his or her experience and training in fields related to the objectives of the project.

(f) Budget (5 points). The Secretary evaluates the extent to which the project budget is reasonable, cost-effective, and adequate to support the project.

(g) Evaluation plan (8 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of the evaluation plan for the project on the basis of the extent to which the applicant’s methods of evaluation—

(1) Are appropriate to the project’s objectives;

(2) Provide for the applicant to determine, using specific and quantifiable measures, the success of the project in—

(i) Making progress toward achieving its objectives (a formative evaluation); and

(ii) Achieving its objectives at the end of the project period (a summative evaluation); and

(iii) Provide for the disclosure of unanticipated project outcomes, using quantifiable measures if appropriate.

Performance Measures ED has developed the following performance measures for the purposes of reporting to ED under 34 CFR 75.110.

Program Performance Measures. ED developed the following program performance indicators to evaluate the overall effectiveness of this program:

Program Performance Measure 1 Completion of a secondary school diploma or its equivalent of EOC participants

Program Performance Measure 2 FAFSA completion rates of EOC participants Program Performance Measure 3 Percentage of EOC participants who submit college admissions applications Program Performance Measure 4 The postsecondary enrollment rates, including

Registered Apprenticeships, of EOC participants Program Efficiency Measure The Federal cost per successful outcome

All EOC Program grantees will be required to submit an annual performance report that documents performance on these measures.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.110

Application Submission Information Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42234), and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant, which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.

Registration

To apply, you must first be registered in two systems: SAM.gov and Grants.gov. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up to date.

Grants.gov registration involves several steps including registration on SAM.gov. You may begin working on your application while completing the registration process, but you cannot apply until all registration steps are complete. Once your SAM registration is active, it will take 24-48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov and before you can apply through Grants.gov. For detailed information on the registration steps, please go to:

Grants.gov Applicant Registration. Please note that your organization will need to update its SAM registration annually.

SAM.gov

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process early.

To register, go to SAM.gov and click on "Get Started."

Click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register in SAM.gov.

If you need help, you can call 866-606-8220 or live chat with the Federal Service Desk.

Grants.gov

You must also have an active account with Grants.gov.

To register, go to Grants.gov and click “Register.” When ready click on “Get Registered Now” and complete required fields.

For more information or assistance, click on “Applicant Registration Page.”

https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/90-FR-42234 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

ED strongly recommends that you do not wait until the last day to submit your application.

Grants.gov will put a date/time stamp on your application and then process it once it has fully uploaded. If Grants.gov rejects your application, you will need to resubmit the application successfully to Grants.gov before 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.

You must provide the UEI on your application that was used when you registered as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) on Grants.gov. This UEI is assigned to your organization in SAM at the time your organization registers in SAM. If you do not enter the UEI assigned by SAM on your application, Grants.gov will reject your application.

A Grants.gov applicant must apply online using Workspace, a shared environment in Grants.gov where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. You begin by creating an individual Workspace for each application and establish, for that application, a collaborative application package that allows more than one person in your organization to work concurrently on an application.

You will then complete the application forms in Workspace and submit the application when completed. For further instructions on how to apply using Grants.gov, refer to:

https://grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants.

Intergovernmental Review

This is subject to Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. One of the objectives of Executive Order 12372 is to strengthen federalism – or the distribution of responsibility between localities, states, and the Federal government – by fostering intergovernmental partnerships. This idea includes supporting processes that state or local governments have developed to coordinate and review proposed Federal financial grant applications. Grant applicants need to contact State Single Points of Contact (SPOC) for information on their state’s procedures. Multi-state applicants should follow procedures specific to each state. Further information about the SPOC and the official list of entities can be found at:

https://www.ojp.gov/IntergovernmentalReviewSPOCList.pdf.

Verify Submission

Verify that Grants.gov received your application submission on time and that it was validated successfully. To see the date/time your application was received, login to Grants.gov and click on the Track My Application link. For a successful submission, the date/time received should be earlier than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the deadline date, AND the application status should be: Validated, Received by Agency, or Agency Tracking Number Assigned.

https://grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.ojp.gov/IntergovernmentalReviewSPOCList.pdf

If the date/time received is later than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the deadline date, your application is late. If your application has a status of “Received” it is still awaiting validation by Grants.gov. Once validation is complete, the status will either change to “Validated” or “Rejected with Errors.” If the status is “Rejected with Errors,” your application has not been received successfully. Some of the reasons Grants.gov may reject an application can be found on the Grants.gov site:

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/encountering-error-messages. For more detailed information on troubleshooting Adobe errors, you can review the Adobe Reader Software Tip Sheet at: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility. If you discover your application is late or has been rejected, please see the instructions below.

Note: You will receive a series of confirmations both online and via e-mail about the status of your application. Please do not rely solely on e-mail to confirm whether your application has been received timely and validated successfully.

Submission Problems – What should you do?

If you have problems submitting to Grants.gov before the closing date, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726 or email at: support@grants.gov or access the Grants.gov

Self- Service Knowledge Base web portal at https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants

Application Review Information Review and Selection Process:

Before making awards, Department of Education staff will screen applications submitted in accordance with the requirements in this notice to determine whether applications have met eligibility and other requirements, including whether an application may fail to meet the “General Terms and Conditions” applicable to awarded funds referenced elsewhere within this notice. This screening process may occur at various stages of the review and selection process. Applicants that are determined to be ineligible will not receive a grant, regardless of whether the application was included in the peer review process.

Applications not selected for funding will be informed of the Secretary's decision in accordance with 34 CFR § 644.24(c).

Peer reviewers will read, prepare a written evaluation of, and score the assigned applications, using the selection criteria provided in this notice.

For this competition, a panel of three non-Federal reviewers will review each application in accordance with the selection criteria, pursuant to 34 CFR 644.21. The individual scores https://www.grants.gov/applicants/encountering-error-messages https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants assigned by the reviewers will be added and the sum divided by the number of reviewers to determine the peer reviewer score received in the review process. Additionally, in accordance with 34 CFR 644.22, the Secretary will award prior experience points to applicants that have conducted an EOC project using information from the second, third and fourth budget periods, based on their documented experience. Prior experience points, if any, will be added to the application’s averaged reader score to determine the total score for each application. More information about how prior experience points are calculated can be found on the EOC website.

In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from ED (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

Tie-breaker: If there are insufficient funds for all applications with the same total scores, the Secretary will choose among the tied applications so as to serve geographic areas that would otherwise be underserved by the EOC Program in accordance with the following procedures. The Secretary will identify and recommend applications for funding according to the following procedure--

First, the tied applications will be sorted according to two criteria. First, applications will be sorted, from low to high, according to the number of applications from the 2026 EOC grant competition that have competition scores above the cutoff score that are within their Congressional District*. The set of applicants within Congressional Districts that have zero 2026 applicants with an EOC award will be sorted to the top; the set of applicants within Congressional Districts that have one 2026 applicant with an EOC award will be listed next; followed by the set of applicants within Congressional Districts with two awards, and so on.

Second, within each of those sets, the applicants will be sorted, from low to high, according to the educational attainment for the population 25 and older within their Congressional District. Specifically, the Congressional Districts have a value that measures the percentage of 25-and-older year olds who have, at some time, enrolled in postsecondary education.

Third, if two (or more) applicants are tied and located in the same Congressional District, the applicant with the highest target proposed for the Postsecondary Enrollment objective will be ranked above the one(s) with lower proposed targets for the Postsecondary Enrollment objective. Once sorted, the applications will be awarded in order “down the slate” until all funds are exhausted.

https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-higher-education/federal-trio-programs/educational-opportunity-centers https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-100.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-100.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-104.5 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-106.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-108.8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-110.23

Note: Congressional Districts boundaries will be determined according to those drawn for the 118th Congress since census data is not yet available for educational attainment in Congressional Districts drawn for the 119th Congress.

Definitions The following definitions are 34 CFR 77.1, 20 U.S.C. 7801(49), (20 U.S.C. 1003(22)) and 20 U.S.C. 2302(55).

Ambitious means promoting continued, meaningful improvement for program participants or for other individuals or entities affected by the grant, or representing a significant advancement in the field of education research, practices, or methodologies. When used to describe a performance target, whether a performance target is ambitious depends upon the context of the relevant performance measure and the baseline for that measure

(34 CFR 77.1).

Performance measure means any quantitative indicator, statistic, or metric used to gauge program or project performance (34 CFR 77.1).

Performance target means a level of performance that an applicant would seek to meet during the course of a project or as a result of a project (34 CFR 77.1).

Public, as applied to an agency, organization, or institution, means that the agency, organization, or institution is under the administrative supervision or control of a government other than the Federal Government. (34 CFR 77.1).

Recognized postsecondary credential means a credential consisting of an industry-recognized certificate or certification, a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship, a license recognized by the State involved or Federal Government, or an associate or baccalaureate degree, as defined in section 3(52) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

State educational agency means the agency primarily responsible for the State supervision of public elementary schools and secondary schools (20 U.S.C. 7801(49)).

State higher education agency means the officer or agency primarily responsible for the State supervision of higher education (20 U.S.C. 1003(22)).

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-77.1 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/7801 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/2302 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/2302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-77.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-77.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-77.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-77.1 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/7801

Award Requirements Terms and Conditions

If you are awarded a grant under this competition, you must ensure and may be required to demonstrate that federal funds will not be used under this project in any manner that violates the United States Constitution, Title VI or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq. or 42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.), the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. 7905), section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1011f), or other applicable federal law. To the extent that a grantee uses grant funds for such unallowable activities, ED may pursue termination under 2 CFR 200.340.

The Grant Award Notification document accompanying your award may contain further terms and conditions, as necessary to ensure grantee compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and administrative priorities.

Please note the provisions of Executive Orders 14151, 14168, 14173, and 14190 as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s July 29, 2025, non-regulatory “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination,” which clarifies the application of federal antidiscrimination laws to programs or initiatives that may involve discriminatory practices, including those labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) programs.

Such activities may risk violating federal civil rights laws and may jeopardize federal funding. This includes any discriminatory equity ideology in violation of a Federal anti-discrimination law. A definition of “discriminatory equity ideology” is contained in Section 2(b) of Executive Order 14190. To the extent that an ED grantee uses grant funds for unallowable activities, ED reserves the right to take appropriate enforcement action, including recovery of funds.

Applicable Regulations

(a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75 (except for §§ 75.215 through 75.221), 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 644. (e) The Supplemental Priorities.

https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/2000d https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/2000d https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/2000e https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/1681 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/29/794 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/6101 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/12131 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/7905 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/1011f https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.340

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only.

Continuation Awards

In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: whether a grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, whether the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the performance targets in the grantee's approved application, or whether the continuation of the project is in the best interest of the Federal Government.

In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-75.253 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-100.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-104.5 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-106.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-108.8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-110.23

Application Checklist The application will require you to fill out several forms, which are listed and linked in grants.gov. See below for a description of forms and sections:

1. Standard Documents

Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424)

Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424

2. Budget Information

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A)

3. Abstract Form

Abstract –– Attach this document to the Abstract Form in the Grants.gov application.

4. Project Narrative

Application Narrative (Project Narrative Attachment Form)

5. Budget Narrative

Budget Narrative Attachment Form

6. Other Attachment Forms

Educational Opportunity Centers Program Profile Form

Educational Opportunity Centers Program Assurances

Absolute Priority Narrative

Competitive Preference Priority Narrative

Invitational Priority Narrative

7. Assurances and Certifications

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL)

Grants.gov Lobbying Form

Assurances – Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B)

Part 1: Standard Documents

Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424)

ED Supplemental Information for SF 424 (Instructions)

This form requires basic identifying information about the applicant and the application. Please provide all requested applicant information (including name, https://www.ed.gov/media/document/2025-ed-sf424-supplemental-form-110031.pdf address, e-mail address and UEI). When applying electronically via Grants.gov, you will need to ensure that the UEI on your application is the same as the UEI your organization used when it registered with the System for Award Management.

Applicants are advised to complete the Application for Federal Assistance (Form SF

424) first. Grants.gov will automatically insert the correct Assistance Listing Number and program name automatically wherever needed on other forms.

Please do not attach any narratives, supporting files, or application components to the Standard Form (SF 424). Although this form accepts attachments, ED will only review materials/files attached in accordance with the instructions provided within this application.

Part 2: Budget Information

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424A)

The SF-424A Budget Information Form is required. This part of your application contains information about the Federal funding you are requesting. The form requires total funding requests for each year of the project, but only requires detailed information for Year 1 of the project. You will provide information on all years of the project, including an itemized budget breakdown for each year of the proposed project, in your Budget Narrative. Specific instructions for completing the Budget Narrative are provided within this application notice and instructions under Budget Narrative. Budget Narrative attachments are not included in the page count.

Instructions for completing SF-424A:

The SF-424A has six sections (A-F). While the form includes several sections and boxes, please use the information below to complete only the necessary sections.

Section A – Budget Summary

• Section A-Budget Summary: Enter the name of the grant program for which you are requesting funds in 1(a).

• Section A-Budget Summary: 1(b): Enter the Assistance Listing Number (Example 84.044A).

• Section A-Budget Summary: 1(e) “Federal”: Include the total amount requested for the entire performance period. The amount you enter here will auto populate in 5 (e).

• Section A-Budget Summary: 1(f) “Non-Federal”: Only include an amount in this section if you propose to include non-Federal financial resources as part of this project, including any non-Federal funds to meet any program cost sharing requirements. If not including non-Federal financial resources, leave this blank or include 0.

• Section A-Budget Summary: 1(g): If using Grants.gov form, the total amount included here will be auto-calculated based on what is included in 1(e ) and 1(f).

Section B – Budget Categories

• Section B-Budget Categories:

o Line 6. Object Class Categories: The categories listed here (a-k) are the categories you will need to further describe in the Budget Narrative. For this section, only include the total amount by category for Year 1 of the project. You will provide a breakdown by category for each year of the project in the Budget Narrative. If using Grants.gov, line 6 column (1) will be auto-populated with the name of the program for which you are requesting funding.

• Personnel (line 6a.): Enter project personnel salaries and wages only. Include fees and expenses for consultants on line 6f or 6h.

• Fringe Benefits (line 6b): The organization’s normal fringe benefits contribution may be charged to the program. Leave this line blank if fringe benefits applicable to direct salaries and wages are treated as part of the indirect cost.

• Travel (line 6c): Indicate the travel costs of employees and participants only.

Include travel of persons such as consultants on line 6f or 6h.

• Equipment (line 6d): Indicate the cost of tangible, non-expendable personal property that has a usefulness greater than one year and acquisition costs that are the lesser of the capitalization level established by the applicant entity for financial statement purposes or $10,000 per article. Lower limits may be established to maintain consistency with the applicant’s policy.

• Supplies (line 6e): Show all tangible, expendable personal property. Direct supplies and materials differ from equipment in that they are consumable, expendable, and of a relatively low unit cost. Supplies purchased with grant funds should directly benefit the grant project and be necessary for achieving the goals of the project.

• Contractual (line 6f): The contractual category should include all costs specifically incurred with actions that the applicant takes in conjunction with an established internal procurement system. Include consultant fees, expenses, and travel costs in this category if the consultant’s services are obtained through a written binding agreement or contract.

• Construction (line 6g): Construction funds are not authorized, unless specified by the program. If construction is allowable, include the amount request for construction costs.

• Other (line 6h): Indicate all direct costs not covered on lines 1-6. For example, include costs such as space rental, required fees, honoraria and travel (where a contract is not in place for services), training, and communication and printing costs. If applicable, include stipends under other. If stipends are included under other, do not include stipends when calculating the indirect cost. Do not include costs that are included in the indirect cost rate.

• Total Direct Costs (line 6i): The sum of lines 6a-6h. If using Grants.gov, this number is auto-calculated.

• Indirect Costs (line 6j): Indicate the applicant’s approved indirect cost rate, per 34 CFR 75.560 - 75.564. If an applicant does not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement with a cognizant Federal agency, the applicant must apply to ED for a temporary indirect cost rate if it wishes to charge indirect costs to the grant.

For more information, go to ED's website. In addition, a grantee, if it is eligible, may also use de minimis rate as provided for under 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Total Cost (line 6i and 6j): This number should be equal to sum of lines 6i-6j (total of direct costs + indirect costs). If using Grants.gov, this number is auto-calculated. The sum for column one, labeled Project Year 6 (1), should also be equal to item 15a on the application cover sheet (SF Form 424).

• Line 7. Program Income: You may leave this field blank.

Section C – Non-Federal Resources

This section should only be completed if you are proposing a cost share or if the program for which you are applying requires a Non-Federal cost share. If you include a cost share, provide a breakdown by including the dollars that will come from the applicant, State, and other sources, as applicable.

Section D – Forecasted Cash Needs

• Line 13. Federal: The total for 1st Year column will automatically calculate based on the funding amounts included in Quarters 1-4. These quarters apply to Year One ONLY. Enter the forecasted cash needs from Federal sources for each quarter of the first program year. The amount entered for each quarter will be used to auto-calculate the amount in line 15 and is your forecasted needs. You will have an opportunity to provide updates to these quarterly amounts in post-award.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-75/subject-group-ECFRbcd9b7674b344f2 https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ofo#Indirect-Cost-Division https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414

• Line 14. Non-Federal: The total for 1st year column will automatically calculate based on the funding amounts included in Quarters 1-4. These quarters apply to Year One ONLY. Leave this blank for each quarter if you are not including any Non-Federal Funds. If including non-Federal funds, enter the forecasted cash needs from non-Federal sources for the first quarter of the first program year. If not applicable, leave blank.

• Line 15. (sum of lines 13 and 14): If using Grants,gov, the total is auto-calculated.

Section E – Budget Estimates of Federal Funds Needed for Balance of the Project

This section collects information for future funding periods. While the columns are labeled First (b) through Fourth (e), this is the section where you will include the total amount of Federal funds requested for Years 2-5, for five-year projects. You are only including the total amount of Federal funds requested for the outyears beyond Year 1.

The total amount in Section D. line 13 plus the total amount in the outyears should match the project total requested in Section A line 5 (e).

• Line 16 Column (a) Grant Program: If using Grants.gov, this box will be auto-populated with the name of the program you included in Section A Line 1.

• Line 16 Column (b)First: Include the total amount requested for the first outyear.

Year 2 of the project. Ensure this amount matches what is in your Budget Narrative.

• Line 16 Column (c) Second: Include the total amount requested for the second outyear. Year 3 of the project. Ensure this amount matches what is in your Budget Narrative.

• Line 16 Column (d) Third: Include the total amount requested for the third outyear. Year 4 of the project. Ensure this amount matches what is in your Budget Narrative.

• Line 16 Column (e) Fourth: Include the total amount requested for the fourth outyear. Year 5 of the project. Ensure this amount matches what is in your Budget Narrative.

Section F – Other Budget Information

• Line 21. Direct Charges: You may leave this field blank.

• Line 22. Indirect Charges: Enter the type of indirect rate (provisional, predetermined, final or fixed) or 15% de minimis rate that will be in effect during the funding period, the estimated amount of the base to which the rate is applied, and the total indirect expense.

• Line 23. Remarks: You may leave this field blank.

Part 3: Abstract Form

The project abstract should not exceed one double spaced pages and should include a concise description of the following information:

⦁ Project objectives and activities ⦁ Absolute Priority (either Absolute Priority 1, Absolute Priority 2, or both) ⦁ Applicable competitive preference priorities ⦁ Proposed project outcomes ⦁ Proposed project partners, if applicable

Part 4: Project Narrative

This section should be attached as a single document to the Project Narrative Attachment Form in accordance with the instructions found on Grants.gov and should be organized in the following manner and include the following parts in order to expedite the review process.

Ensure that you only attach the ED approved file types detailed in the 2025 Common Instructions. When attaching files, applicants should limit the size of their file names.

❑ Table of Contents

The Table of Contents shows where and how the important sections of your proposal are organized and should not exceed one double-spaced page.

❑ Application Narrative

ED encourages applicants to limit this section of the application to the equivalent of no more than 65 pages.