FY 26 Postsecondary Student Success Grant 84.116M
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- ED-GRANT-26-038
- Agency
-
Department of Labor
- Applications due
- Award size
- $2,000,000 to $8,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Education
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Points of contact
-
- Robyn Wood robyn.wood@ed.gov (202) 987-1577
- Nemeka Mason-Clercin nemeka.mason@ed.gov
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Labor is soliciting applications for the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program (Assistance Listing 84.116M) administered on behalf of the Department of Education, with an application deadline of June 29, 2026. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, consortia of institutions, statewide systems of higher education, and public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations in partnership with nonprofits or businesses. A mandatory 10 percent non-federal cost match, which may include in-kind donations, is required; indirect costs are capped at eight percent of modified total direct cost.
The program will distribute approximately $45 million across two award tracks: early phase grants ranging from $2 million to $4 million annually (approximately six awards, average $3.75 million) and mid-phase grants ranging from $6 million to $8 million annually (approximately three awards, average $7.5 million). All projects operate on a 48-month performance period. The program aims to improve postsecondary student outcomes including retention, transfer, credit accumulation, and completion by implementing and rigorously evaluating evidence-based strategies that support data-driven institutional decision-making.
Applicants must address one evidence-based priority (Absolute Priority 1 for early phase projects or Absolute Priority 2 for mid-phase projects) and one content priority covering artificial intelligence in education, career and workforce readiness, high-quality short-term programs, or college-to-career pathways. Grant funds must support implementation costs, data systems development, staff training, and independent rigorous evaluation meeting What Works Clearinghouse standards. Grantees must conduct evaluations submitted to ERIC, supplement rather than supplant existing funds, and report performance data on first-year credit accumulation, retention and persistence rates, graduation and transfer success, time to credential, and credentials conferred. A competitive preference (0 or 10 points) applies to state educational agencies and workforce development entities; an invitational priority exists for innovative financing models.
Synopsis
The purpose of PSSG is to improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, transfer, credit accumulation, and completion, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based strategies.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FY26 PSSG Project Profile Form.pdf | ||
| FY 2026 FIPSE PSSG Notice and Instructions.pdf |
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