Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANT 26 034

The Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program (FIPSE-Basic Needs Program) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (CFDA/Assistance Listing 84.116). Its central aim is to help colleges, universities, and partner organizations tackle student basic needs insecurity by building solutions that are not just short-term services, but systemic and sustainable approaches that can keep working over time. In addition to funding support programs that address basic needs, the program also emphasizes documenting and reporting practices that measurably improve student outcomes, so that effective strategies can be identified, strengthened, and shared.

The program is open to a range of applicant types connected to postsecondary education. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965), as well as consortia or systems made up of eligible institutions. It also allows applications from public agencies and from private nonprofit organizations, creating room for partnerships between campuses and community-based providers. The eligibility list explicitly includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofits with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies are also eligible as public agencies. The notice indicates that applicants should review the Application and Notice Information (ANI) for any additional, specific eligibility conditions.

For nonprofits, the opportunity spells out acceptable ways to prove nonprofit status under 34 CFR 75.51. Applicants can document eligibility by providing IRS confirmation that the organization is recognized under section 501(c)(3) and that contributions are tax deductible, or by supplying a certification from a state taxing body or the state attorney general confirming the organization operates as a nonprofit and that no net earnings benefit private individuals. A certified copy of the organization’s certificate of incorporation (or a similar foundational document) can also be used if it clearly establishes nonprofit status. If the applicant is a local affiliate of a state or national parent nonprofit, it can submit the parent organization’s qualifying documentation along with a statement from the parent organization confirming the affiliate relationship.

Funding is provided through a grant instrument, with an award ceiling of $5,000,000 per award. The program expects to make about 10 awards. The opportunity was created on May 21, 2026, and the original application deadline is June 23, 2026. The funding opportunity number is ED GRANT 26 034, which applicants can use to locate the full notice and submission requirements.

  • The Office of Postsecondary Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program" 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 2026-05-21.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-23. (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 $5,000,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 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, Others.
Apply for ED GRANT 26 034

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program (FIPSE-Basic Needs Program)

1. What is the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program (FIPSE-Basic Needs Program)?

The Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program (also called the FIPSE-Basic Needs Program) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. It is listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing 84.116.

2. What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The central aim is to help colleges, universities, and partner organizations address student basic needs insecurity by building solutions that go beyond short-term services and instead create systemic and sustainable approaches that can continue over time.

3. Does the program focus only on providing services, or also on longer-term change?

The opportunity emphasizes systemic and sustainable approaches, not only short-term support services. The intent is to create solutions that can keep working over time.

4. What additional emphasis does the program place on outcomes and documentation?

In addition to funding basic-needs-related efforts, the program emphasizes documenting and reporting practices that measurably improve student outcomes so effective strategies can be identified, strengthened, and shared.

5. Who is eligible to apply?

The program is open to multiple applicant types connected to postsecondary education, including:

  • Institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965)
  • Consortia or systems made up of eligible institutions
  • Public agencies
  • Private nonprofit organizations

6. Which types of institutions of higher education are explicitly included as eligible applicants?

The eligibility list explicitly includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.

7. Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Private nonprofit organizations are eligible, including nonprofits with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).

8. Are State Education Agencies (SEAs) and State Higher Education Agencies (SHEAs) eligible?

Yes. State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies are included as eligible public agencies.

9. Can colleges and universities apply as part of a consortium or system?

Yes. Consortia or systems made up of eligible institutions are allowed to apply.

10. Does the opportunity allow campus-community partnerships?

Yes. The eligibility and applicant categories allow room for partnerships between campuses and community-based providers, since public agencies and private nonprofit organizations can apply.

11. Are there any additional eligibility conditions applicants should check?

Yes. The notice indicates applicants should review the Application and Notice Information (ANI) for any additional, specific eligibility conditions.

12. How can a nonprofit prove its nonprofit status for this opportunity?

For nonprofits, the opportunity describes acceptable ways to document nonprofit status under 34 CFR 75.51.

13. What IRS documentation can be used to prove nonprofit status?

A nonprofit may provide IRS confirmation that the organization is recognized under section 501(c)(3) and that contributions to the organization are tax deductible.

14. What state-level documentation can be used to prove nonprofit status?

A nonprofit may submit a certification from a state taxing body or from the state attorney general confirming that the organization operates as a nonprofit and that no net earnings benefit private individuals.

15. Can a nonprofit use incorporation documents to prove nonprofit status?

Yes. A certified copy of the organization’s certificate of incorporation (or a similar foundational document) can be used if it clearly establishes nonprofit status.

16. If an applicant is a local affiliate of a parent nonprofit, what documentation is acceptable?

If the applicant is a local affiliate of a state or national parent nonprofit, it can submit the parent organization’s qualifying documentation along with a statement from the parent organization confirming the affiliate relationship.

17. What type of funding instrument is used?

Funding is provided through a grant instrument.

18. What is the maximum award amount per grant?

The award ceiling is $5,000,000 per award.

19. How many awards does the program expect to make?

The program expects to make about 10 awards.

20. When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on May 21, 2026.

21. What is the original application deadline?

The original application deadline is June 23, 2026.

22. What is the Assistance Listing number for this program?

The program is listed as CFDA/Assistance Listing 84.116.

23. What is the funding opportunity number and why does it matter?

The funding opportunity number is ED GRANT 26 034. Applicants can use it to locate the full notice and submission requirements.

24. Which federal office administers this program?

The program is run by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education.

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