Search Grant Opportunities

Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE): Special Projects; Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.116J

ID: ED-GRANTS-111225-001 • Type: Posted
Opportunity Assistant

Hello! Please let me know your questions about this opportunity. I will answer based on the available opportunity documents.

Sign in to upload a capability statement or catalogue for your company

Some suggestions:
Please summarize the work to be completed under this opportunity
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
I'd like to anonymously submit a question to the procurement officer(s)

Description

Note: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information.

For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our 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-todepartment-of-education-discretionary-grantams.

Purpose of Program: The FIPSE Special Projects Program provides grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs), combinations of such institutions, and other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies, as the Secretary deems necessary, to support innovative projects concerning one or more areas of national need identified by the Secretary. This competition focuses on supporting four areas of national need (1) advancing the understanding of and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in postsecondary education, (2) promoting civil discourse on college and university campuses, (3) promoting accreditation reform, and (4) supporting capacity-building for high-quality short-term programs.

In order to support these four crucial needs, this competition includes seven absolute priorities under which applicants can apply: two priorities dedicated to advancing the understanding and use of AI in postsecondary education (Absolute Priorities 1 and 2), one priority dedicated to promoting civil discourse on college and university campuses (Absolute Priority 3), two priorities within promoting accreditation reform (Absolute Priorities 4 and 5), and two priorities for capacity-building for high-quality short-term programs (Absolute Priorities 6 and 7). The Department intends to award $50 million to advance AI in Education, $60 million to promote civil discourse on college and university campuses, $7 million to support accreditation reform, and $50 million for high-quality short-term programs. The Department may adjust these estimates based on interest and quality of applications.

Assistance Listing Number 84.116J

Background
The Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Special Projects Program, administered by the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), aims to provide grants to institutions of higher education and other nonprofit institutions to support innovative projects addressing national needs. This competition focuses on four key areas: advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in postsecondary education, promoting civil discourse on campuses, supporting accreditation reform, and enhancing capacity for high-quality short-term programs.

Grant Details
The program includes seven absolute priorities:
1) Advancing AI in postsecondary education;
2) Understanding and using AI technology;
3) Promoting civil discourse on college campuses;
4) Supporting accreditation reform;
5) Enhancing capacity for high-quality short-term programs.

The Department plans to allocate $50 million for advancing AI in education, $60 million for promoting civil discourse, $7 million for accreditation reform, and $50 million for high-quality short-term programs. The total funding may be adjusted based on application quality and interest.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education (IHEs), combinations of such institutions, and other public or private nonprofit institutions as deemed necessary by the Secretary. Specific eligibility criteria will be detailed in the official application notice.

Period of Performance
The period of performance will be specified in the grant award notification and may vary based on project scope and funding.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant program is approximately $167 million, with individual awards varying based on project needs and funding availability.

Place of Performance
The geographic locations where the grant activities will take place are expected to align with the applicant's institutional locations.
Show All

Overview

Agency
Department of Education (ED)
Category of Funding
Education
Funding Instruments
Grant
Grant Program (CFDA)
84.116 - Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
Grants.gov
On 11/12/25 the Department of Education posted grant opportunity ED-GRANTS-111225-001 for Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE): Special Projects; Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.116J with funding of $167.0 million. The grant will be issued under grant program 84.116 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. It is expected that 89 total grants will be made.

Timing

Posted Date
Nov. 12, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EST
Closing Date
Dec. 3, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EST Past Due
Closing Date Explanation
Applications Available: November 12, 2025. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: December 3, 2025. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: December 12, 2025. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stacey Slijepcevic, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW. Telephone: (202) 453-6150. Email: Stacey.Slijepcevic@ed.gov.
Last Updated
Nov. 12, 2025, 11:42 a.m. EST
Version
2
Archive Date
Jan. 2, 2026

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Info
Institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the HEA), consortia of such institutions, and other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies including State higher education agencies as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1003(22). An eligible entity may submit only one (1) grant application under an area of national need as the lead applicant. An entity can be included as a partner in multiple applications.Note: The eligible entity may apply to all four (4) areas of national need as the lead applicant but must submit a separate grant application for each area of national need.Note: An applicant that is a nonprofit organization may, under 34 CFR 75.51, demonstrate its nonprofit status by providing: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) 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.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
Not Listed
Floor
Not Listed
Estimated Program Funding
$167,000,000
Estimated Number of Grants
89

Contacts

Contact
Holly Clark Management and Program Analyst
Contact Email
stacey.slijepcevic@ed.gov   Profile
Email Description
Program Manager Inbox
Contact Phone
(202) 245-6408
Additional Information
Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE): Special Projects; Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.116J FY25 NIA
Additional Information Site
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-11-12/pdf/2025-19843.pdf

Documents

Posted documents for ED-GRANTS-111225-001

Potential Applicants and Partners

Awardees that have recently won grants similar to ED-GRANTS-111225-001

Incumbent or Similar Grants

Grants similar to ED-GRANTS-111225-001

Similar Active Opportunities

Open grant opportunities similar to ED-GRANTS-111225-001

Experts for Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE): Special Projects; Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.116J

Recommended subject matter experts available for hire