Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. Department of Labor, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education, is seeking grant applications for the FIPSE Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program to advance systemic and sustainable solutions to student basic needs insecurity and improve student outcomes. Projects are expected to address students’ basic needs and report on practices that strengthen outcomes, with priority given to efforts that connect basic needs support to workforce development, including AI literacy and work-based learning opportunities. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, consortia or systems of eligible IHEs, and public and private nonprofit organizations, with awards spanning a 48-month period and evaluated on project need, design, management, and evaluation quality. The program anticipates about $10 million in total funding for 2 to 10 awards ranging from $1 million to $5 million, with applications due June 23, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time through the required registration and submission systems.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education (IHEs) (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)(20 U.S.C. 1001)), consortia or systems of eligible IHEs, and public and private nonprofit organizations and agencies.An applicant that is applying as a nonprofit organization may, under 34 CFR 75.51, demonstrate its nonprofit status by providing: Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.A statement from a state taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual. A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or Any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate. Note: State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies are eligible as public agencies Note: See ANI for specific eligibility requirements.