Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANT 26 038
The FY 26 Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG), CFDA 84.116, is a discretionary grant competition administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. The program is designed to help eligible organizations improve key postsecondary outcomes for students, with an emphasis on practical, measurable gains in areas that commonly determine whether students ultimately earn a credential.
At its core, PSSG focuses on improving retention (keeping students enrolled term to term), transfer (supporting successful movement between institutions, such as from two-year to four-year programs), credit accumulation (helping students earn and keep momentum toward a credential), and completion (graduation or other recognized credential attainment). The opportunity highlights the use of data as a central tool, meaning applicants are expected to rely on strong data practices to identify student needs, target interventions, monitor implementation, and measure results over time.
The grant specifically calls for implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based strategies. In practical terms, that signals a preference for approaches that already have some credible track record, along with plans to expand them to serve more students or embed them more deeply into institutional practice. It also signals that funded projects should include serious evaluation components, not just descriptive reporting, so that the field learns what works, for whom, and under what conditions. Applicants are directed to review the full eligibility instructions in the official Application Notice/Instructions (ANI), which typically contains the detailed rules, priorities, and required elements for proposals.
Eligibility is open to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). That mix of eligible applicants suggests the program can support both institution-led initiatives and nonprofit-led efforts that partner with colleges and universities to deliver and evaluate student success interventions.
The funding opportunity number is ED GRANT 26 038. Individual awards can be as large as $8,000,000 (the stated award ceiling), and the Department expects to make approximately 9 awards. The opportunity was created on May 28, 2026, and the original application closing date is June 29, 2026, meaning applicants have a relatively defined window to assemble partners, finalize a data-driven project design, and develop an implementation and evaluation plan aligned to the program goals.
In short, this competition is aimed at supporting high-impact student success work in postsecondary education, with a strong emphasis on using data to guide decisions and on building the evidence base through rigorous evaluation while improving retention, transfer, credit progress, and completion.Apply for ED GRANT 26 038
- The Office of Postsecondary Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 26 Postsecondary Student Success Grant 84.116M" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.116.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $8,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FY 26 Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) FAQ
What is the FY 26 Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG)?
The FY 26 Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG), CFDA 84.116, is a discretionary grant competition administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. It is designed to help eligible organizations improve key postsecondary outcomes for students through practical, measurable gains.
Which agency administers this grant?
The competition is administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 84.116.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is ED GRANT 26 038.
What outcomes does PSSG focus on improving?
PSSG focuses on improving four core postsecondary student success outcomes:
- Retention (keeping students enrolled term to term)
- Transfer (supporting successful movement between institutions, such as from two-year to four-year programs)
- Credit accumulation (helping students earn credits and maintain momentum toward a credential)
- Completion (graduation or other recognized credential attainment)
How important is data in this grant program?
Data is described as a central tool for this program. Applicants are expected to use strong data practices to identify student needs, target interventions, monitor implementation, and measure results over time.
What kinds of strategies does the grant emphasize?
The opportunity specifically calls for implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based strategies. This signals an emphasis on approaches with a credible track record, along with plans to expand them to reach more students or become more deeply embedded in institutional practice.
Does the grant require evaluation?
Yes. The opportunity highlights the need for rigorous evaluation, not just descriptive reporting. Funded projects are expected to include serious evaluation components so the field can learn what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to the following types of entities:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
Can nonprofits apply, or is this only for colleges and universities?
Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are eligible to apply. The eligibility mix suggests the program can support institution-led initiatives as well as nonprofit-led efforts that partner with colleges and universities to deliver and evaluate student success interventions.
Where can applicants find the detailed eligibility rules and application requirements?
Applicants are directed to review the full eligibility instructions in the official Application Notice/Instructions (ANI), which typically contains the detailed rules, priorities, and required proposal elements.
What is the maximum award amount?
Individual awards can be as large as $8,000,000 (the stated award ceiling).
How many awards does the Department expect to make?
The Department expects to make approximately 9 awards.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 28, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is June 29, 2026.
What does the timeline imply for applicants?
With creation on May 28, 2026 and an original closing date of June 29, 2026, applicants have a defined window to assemble partners, finalize a data-driven project design, and develop an implementation and evaluation plan aligned with the program goals.
What does "evidence-based strategies" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the opportunity description, it indicates a preference for approaches that already have some credible track record. The grant also emphasizes scaling these strategies and evaluating them rigorously to strengthen the evidence base.
What does "scaling" a strategy imply for a proposed project?
Scaling signals an expectation that applicants will expand an existing approach to serve more students and/or embed it more deeply into institutional practice, rather than proposing purely exploratory efforts without prior support or results.
What is the overall purpose of the PSSG competition?
The overall purpose is to support high-impact postsecondary student success work with measurable improvements in retention, transfer, credit accumulation, and completion, while using data to guide decisions and building the broader evidence base through rigorous evaluation.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department-Custody Death Reduction – Implementation Plan Development
Previous opportunity: Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Competitive Grants Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for ED GRANT 26 038
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ED GRANT 26 038) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| U.S. STEM Summer Exchange for Youth Apply for S DR860 26 NOFO 0004 Funding Number: S DR860 26 NOFO 0004 Agency: U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic Category: Education Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| EnglishxSTEM Apply for S DR860 26 NOFO 0006 Funding Number: S DR860 26 NOFO 0006 Agency: U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| OSERS-OSEP: National Technical Assistance Center for Postsecondary Education and Training for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Assistance Listing Number 84.326D Apply for ED GRANTS 060126 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 060126 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Centers Aligned with Areas for National Need (CAANN) Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.015C Apply for ED GRANTS 060526 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 060526 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY STATE GRANTS Apply for MSHA 2026 1 Funding Number: MSHA 2026 1 Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| U.S.-D.R. Technology and Science Fair Apply for S DR860 26 NOFO 0003 Funding Number: S DR860 26 NOFO 0003 Agency: U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic Category: Education Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE):Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange (MECE) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.021C Apply for ED GRANTS 061526 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 061526 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| OSERS-OSEP: National Center on Academic Interventions Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.326Q Apply for ED GRANTS 061526 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 061526 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $3,700,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Bridgetown: EducationUSA Eastern Caribbean Regional Advising Program Apply for OFOP0002992 Funding Number: OFOP0002992 Agency: U.S. Mission to Barbados Category: Education Funding Amount: $24,500 |
| EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program 2026 Apply for PDS LUSAKA EDUSA FY26 Funding Number: PDS LUSAKA EDUSA FY26 Agency: U.S. Mission to Zambia Category: Education Funding Amount: $28,000 |
| Fair Housing Initiatives Program - Education and Outreach Initiative Apply for OFH 2600 DC 021A Funding Number: OFH 2600 DC 021A Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Education Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security National Training Program National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Apply for DHS 26 NPD 005 00 98 Funding Number: DHS 26 NPD 005 00 98 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $74,784,506 |
| National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Apply for DHS 26 NPD 148 00 97 Funding Number: DHS 26 NPD 148 00 97 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $7,600,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security National Training Program Apply for DHS 26 NPD 005 00 96 Funding Number: DHS 26 NPD 005 00 96 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $5,700,000 |
| Alliance for System Safety of Unmanned Aircraft Systems through Research Excellence (ASSURE) Apply for DHS 26 NPD 146 00 99 Funding Number: DHS 26 NPD 146 00 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,900,000 |
| Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants Apply for FOA BS 2026 1 Funding Number: FOA BS 2026 1 Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Voices for the Future Apply for PAS JAKARTA FY26 06 Funding Number: PAS JAKARTA FY26 06 Agency: U.S. Mission to Indonesia Category: Education Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| AI Pathways To The Future Apply for PAS JAKARTA FY26 07 Funding Number: PAS JAKARTA FY26 07 Agency: U.S. Mission to Indonesia Category: Education Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Empowering English Educators Apply for PDS CAIRO 003 FY26 Funding Number: PDS CAIRO 003 FY26 Agency: U.S. Mission to Egypt Category: Education Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| English Language Fellows Program Apply for PDS CAIRO 002 FY26 Funding Number: PDS CAIRO 002 FY26 Agency: U.S. Mission to Egypt Category: Education Funding Amount: $480,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "ED GRANT 26 038", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.