Higher Education Access Grants (2026)
Funding to widen access to and success in higher education — college access and readiness, persistence and completion, and support for first-generation and underserved students — for colleges, universities, and access nonprofits.FindGrants surfaces open grants in this area across federal agencies, state education agencies, and foundations. Below are open opportunities you can apply to — with amounts, deadlines, and a guided application builder for each.
36 open higher education access& education grants you can apply to
36 grants worth up to $66.8M match your search
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University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
openAdministration on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Grants to university-based centers for training, research, and service in developmental disabilities.
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
IVMF at Syracuse University — Research & Programs
openInstitute for Veterans and Military Families
Grants for research and programs on veteran entrepreneurship, employment, and military family well-being.
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
openGovernment of Canada
Vanier CGS provides $50,000/year for three years to attract and retain world-class doctoral students at Canadian universities.
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
Fiscal Year 2027 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)
openAir Force Office of Scientific Research
<p>The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the Fiscal Year 2027 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). DURIP is designed to improve the capabilities of accredited United States (U.S.) institutions of higher education to conduct research and to educate scientists and engineers in areas important to national defense, by providing funds for the acquisition of research equipment or instrumentation. For-profit organizations are not eligible for DURIP funding.</p>
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
UNIVERSITY OF VT & STATE AGRICULTURAL
openTransportation Agency
UNIVERSITY OF VT & STATE AGRICULTURAL
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
UNIVERSITY OF VT & STATE AGRICULTURAL
openTransportation Agency
UNIVERSITY OF VT & STATE AGRICULTURAL
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
University Nuclear Leadership Program– Scholarship and Fellowship Support
openIdaho Field Office
University Nuclear Leadership Program– Scholarship and Fellowship Support
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation — Scholarship & Grants
openJack Kent Cooke Foundation
Funds $90M in scholarships and grants for high-achieving low-income students.
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
Developing novel theory and methods for understanding the genetic architecture of complex human traits (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
The goal of this NOFO is to support R21 applications for novel theory and methods development that better delineate how genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to complex trait variation across individuals, families, and populations. Approaches should be interdisciplinary across the natural and social sciences, account for interdependencies across scales of biological, social, and ecological organization, and make extensive use of theory, simulations, and validation using available large-scale datasets
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
openNational Institutes of Health
<p>Not available</p>
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nations biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs. To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on: Courses for Skills Development
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
The NIH Research Project Grant supports a discrete, specified, circumscribed project in areas representing the specific interests and competencies of the investigator(s). The proposed project must be related to the programmatic interests of one or more of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) based on their scientific missions.This Notice of Funding Opportunity does not accept applications proposing clinical trial(s).
Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription
Higher Education Access grant FAQ
Who funds higher education access programs?
Higher Education Access programs are funded by the same education ecosystem as the rest of the field: the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies, the state education agencies that administer and sub-grant federal formula funds, and private and community foundations. Some funders run dedicated lines; many fund this work through broader education and student-support programs.
What can higher education access grants pay for?
Funding to widen access to and success in higher education — college access and readiness, persistence and completion, and support for first-generation and underserved students — for colleges, universities, and access nonprofits. Typical eligible costs include staff and instructor time, curriculum and materials, professional development, technology and equipment, and program operations for schools, districts, and education nonprofits.
How do I find higher education access grants I'm eligible for?
Eligibility depends on your organization type, your location, and the funder's priorities. Browse the open opportunities below, or run your organization's profile through FindGrants to see the higher education access and education grants you qualify for right now, ranked by fit.
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See which higher education access grants you qualify for
Answer a few questions about your school, district, or organization and get a ranked list of education grants you’re eligible for — with fit scores and a guided application builder.
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