Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fund for The Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE): Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.116N | ED GRANTS 080222 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 080222 001

The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) is offering a discretionary grant competition under the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) called the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program (Assistance Listing Number 84.116N). The overall aim of this program is to help colleges and universities strengthen or expand efforts that address students basic needs, and to document and report on approaches that lead to better student outcomes. In practice, this means the Department of Education is looking to fund campus-based programs that reduce barriers like food insecurity, housing instability, lack of access to transportation, technology, childcare, health and mental health supports, and other necessities that can prevent students from enrolling, persisting, or completing a credential.

The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and uses the standard federal discretionary grant structure. The Funding Opportunity Number is ED GRANTS 080222 001, and the funding instrument is a grant (not a contract). While the synopsis notes that eligible applicants are listed as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," the intent of the program is to provide grants to eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs). Because the short summary does not include the full eligibility language, the official Federal Register notice is the controlling source for who can apply, whether certain categories of institutions are prioritized, and whether partnerships or consortia are permitted or encouraged.

Key dates are clearly laid out. Applications became available on August 2, 2022, and the deadline to submit applications was October 3, 2022. The deadline for intergovernmental review was November 30, 2022. The Department also included a non-mandatory but strongly encouraged Notice of Intent to Apply. The purpose of that notice is administrative: it helps the Department estimate the volume of applications and plan peer review more efficiently. To submit it, applicants were asked to email the program contact with the subject line "Intent to Apply" and include the applicant name plus a contact persons name and email. Submitting a notice of intent does not obligate an applicant to apply, and not submitting one does not disqualify an applicant.

In terms of funding scale, the award ceiling is $950,000 per award, and the Department expected to make about 8 awards under this competition. The synopsis does not specify a floor, match requirement, project period length, or whether continuation funding is available; those details would be found in the official application notice in the Federal Register, along with the required budget forms and any limitations on allowable costs.

The announcement repeatedly emphasizes that the synopsis is not the authoritative source for application requirements. Applicants are directed to the official Federal Register application notice for the complete rules, including eligibility specifics, pre-application and application requirements, submission instructions, required performance measures, any competitive preference or invitational priorities, and official contact and program guidance. It also points applicants to the Department of Educations Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 27, 2021) for standardized directions on how to obtain and submit an application, including addresses and procedural requirements.

For questions, the listed federal program contact is Njeri Clark at the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 2B168, Washington, DC 20202-4260, phone (202) 453-6224, email Njeri.Clark@ed.gov.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fund for The Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE): Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.116N" 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 Aug 02, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 03, 2022 Applications Available Aug. 2, 2022. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications Oct. 3, 2022. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review Nov. 30, 2022 Notice of Intent to Apply The Department will be able to review grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line #8220Intent to Apply,#8221 and include the applicantaposs name and a contact person#8217s name and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to apply may still apply for funding applicants that do submit a notice of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information provided. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Njeri Clark, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 2B168, Washington, DC 20202-4260. Telephone (202) 453-6224. Email Njeri.Clark@ed.gov.. (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 $950,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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