Strengthening Institutions Program FY 2026 Competition

The U.S. Department of Labor, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, is inviting applications for the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) FY 2026 Grant Competition. This program offers discretionary grants—Individual Development Grants ($2.25M-$3M) and Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants ($3M-$5M)—totaling an estimated $365,875,512 for five-year projects, with approximately 600 awards. Eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) must be accredited, state-authorized, serve needy students, and have low average educational expenditures. The grants aim to help IHEs become self-sufficient and expand services for low-income students by improving academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability. Applications are due June 23, 2026, and must address an absolute priority and may address competitive preference priorities related to career pathways, short-term workforce programs, or advancing AI in education.

The U.S. Department of Labor, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, is soliciting applications for the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) FY 2026 Grant Competition. This program offers discretionary grants to eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) to improve academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability, ultimately helping them serve low-income students and achieve self-sufficiency. Two types of five-year grants are available: Individual Development Grants (up to $3 million) and Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants (up to $5 million), with an estimated total of $365,875,512 across 600 awards. The application deadline is June 23, 2026. Eligibility requires accreditation, state authorization, and a designation as an "eligible institution" based on needy student enrollment and low educational expenditures. Applicants must address an Absolute Priority on strengthening institutional capacity and may choose one of three Competitive Preference Priorities related to Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness, developing high-quality short-term programs meeting Workforce Pell Grant requirements, or Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education. Rural IHEs can also earn additional points. The program does not allow indirect costs but permits using funds for endowment funds if matched by non-Federal funds. Infrastructure projects are subject to the Build America, Buy America Act. Applications will be scored based on criteria including the quality of the comprehensive development plan, project design, activity objectives, implementation strategy, key personnel, project management plan, evaluation plan, and budget.