Skip to main content

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 $133.0M match your search

Enter your email to see grant names, funders, and application links

UNIVERSITY OF VT & STATE AGRICULTURAL

open

Transportation Agency

UNIVERSITY OF VT & STATE AGRICULTURAL

Up to $30K
2027-03-31
Education

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

UNIVERSITY OF VT & STATE AGRICULTURAL

open

Transportation Agency

UNIVERSITY OF VT & STATE AGRICULTURAL

Up to $120K
2027-03-31
Education

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Education Innovation and Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS)

open

U.S. National Science Foundation

Government and the nation face a talent shortfall in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program welcomes proposals that address AI and cybersecurity education and workforce development. CyberAI refers to using AI in cybersecurity as well as providing security and resilience for AI systems. The Scholarship Track provides funding to establish, or to continue, scholarship for service programs with integrated AI and cybersecurity components (CyberAI). Scholarship recipients must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and work after graduation in the AI or cybersecurity mission of a government organization for a period of at least the length of the scholarship. The Innovation Track supports projects that enhance preparation of AI and/or cybersecurity professionals. Projects may expand existing educational opportunities, curricula, degree programs, educational pathways, methods and interventions, and partnerships among institutions of higher education, government, and employers. Two statutes authorize this program: 15 USC 7442 (cybersecurity) and 42 USC 18993 (AI). CyberAI SFS aligns with the Executive Order 14277 to prioritize AI within scholarship for service programs. CyberAI is managed by NSF s Directorate for STEM Education in collaboration with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

$300K – $2.5M
2027-04-05
sciencetechnology

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Research and Development (RAD) Directed Energy (RD) University Assistance Instruments

open

Air Force -- Research Lab

<p>Original Solictation:</p> <ul> <li>Closing Date of the FOA</li> <li>FROM:&nbsp;18 July 2024</li> <li>TO:&nbsp;18 July 2029</li> <li>Cost Ceiling</li> <li>$49M</li> <li>Contracting/Agreements Points of Contact (POC)</li> <li>Agreements Officer</li> <li>Mariah Salazar</li> <li>Agreements Specialist</li> <li>Monique Esquibel-Sena</li> <li>Emails: mariah.salazar@us.af.mil; monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil</li> </ul> <p><br></p> <p>Solicitation Amend 1:</p> <ul> <li>Closing Date of the FOA</li> <li>FROM:&nbsp;18 July 2024</li> <li>TO:&nbsp;18 July 2029</li> <li>Cost Ceiling</li> <li>$49M</li> <li>Contracting/Agreements Points of Contact (POC)</li> <li>Agreements Officer</li> <li>Mariah Salazar</li> <li>Agreements Specialist</li> <li>Monique Esquibel-Sena</li> <li>Emails: mariah.salazar@us.af.mil; monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil</li> </ul> <p>(Revisions made: Updated information on Mandatory Letter of Intent to allow for interested parties to submit Letters of Intent through Valid Eval portal)</p> <p><br></p> <p>Solicitation Amend 2:</p> <ul> <li>Closing Date of the FOA</li> <li>FROM:&nbsp;18 July 2024</li> <li>TO:&nbsp;18 July 2029</li> <li>Cost Ceiling</li> <li>$49M</li> <li>Contracting/Agreements Points of Contact (POC)</li> <li>Agreements Officer</li> <li>Mariah Salazar</li> <li>Agreements Specialist</li> <li>Monique Esquibel-Sena</li> <li>Emails: mariah.salazar@us.af.mil; monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil</li> </ul> <p>(Revisions made: Added detail for Letter of Intent Evaluation Criteria)</p> <p><br></p> <p>Solicitation Amend 3:</p> <ul> <li>Closing Date of the FOA</li> <li>FROM:&nbsp;18 July 2024</li> <li>TO:&nbsp;18 July 2029</li> <li>Cost Ceiling</li> <li>$49M</li> <li>Contracting/Agreements Points of Contact (POC)</li> <li>Agreements Officer</li> <li>Mariah Salazar</li> <li>Alternate Agreements Officer</li> <li>Jennifer Jaramillo</li> <li>Agreements Specialist</li> <li>Monique Esquibel-Sena</li> <li>Brendan Merritt</li> <li>Emails: mariah.salazar@us.af.mil; monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil, <span style="color: windowtext;">jennifer.jaramillo@us.af.mil</span>, brendan.merritt@us.af.mil</li> </ul> <p>(Revisions made: Changed Letter of Intent review from 10 business days to 30 business days, Added verbiage to Section, D. Review and Selection Process, on Security Risk Review, added Agreement Specialist, Brendan Merritt, brendan.merritt@us.af.mil)</p> <p><br></p> <p>Solicitation Amend 4:</p> <ul> <li>Closing Date of the FOA</li> <li>FROM:&nbsp;18 July 2024</li> <li>TO:&nbsp;18 July 2029</li> <li>Cost Ceiling</li> <li>$49M</li> <li>Contracting/Agreements Points of Contact (POC)</li> <li>Agreements Officer</li> <li>Mariah Salazar</li> <li>Alternate Agreements Officer</li> <li>Jennifer Jaramillo</li> <li>Agreements Specialist</li> <li>Monique Esquibel-Sena</li> <li>Emails: mariah.salazar@us.af.mil; monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil, <span style="color: windowtext;">jennifer.jaramillo@us.af.mil</span></li> </ul> <p>(Revisions made: Changed Attachment 2 of Solicitation to DoD R&amp;D General Terms and Conditions MARCH 2025. Removed Agreement Specialist, Brendan Merritt, brendan.merritt@us.af.mil)</p>

Up to $49M
2029-07-18
science_technology_and_other_research_and_development

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Research and Development (RAD) Directed Energy (RD) University Assistance Instruments

open

Air Force -- Research Lab

Original Solictation: Closing Date of the FOA FROM: 18 July 2024 TO: 18 July 2029 Cost Ceiling $49M Contracting/Agreements Points of Contact (POC) Agreements Officer Mariah Salazar Agreements Specialist Monique Esquibel-Sena Emails: mariah.salazar@us.af.mil; monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil Solicitation Amend 1: Closing Date of the FOA FROM: 18 July 2024 TO: 18 July 2029 Cost Ceiling $49M Contracting/Agreements Points of Contact (POC) Agreements Officer Mariah Salazar Agreements Specialist Monique Esquibel-Sena Emails: mariah.salazar@us.af.mil; monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil (Revisions made: Updated information on Mandatory Letter of Intent to allow for interested parties to submit Letters of Intent through Valid Eval portal) Solicitation Amend 2: Closing Date of the FOA FROM: 18 July 2024 TO: 18 July 2029 Cost Ceiling $49M Contracting/Agreements Points of Contact (POC) Agreements Officer Mariah Salazar Agreements Specialist Monique Esquibel-Sena Emails: mariah.salazar@us.af.mil; monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil (Revisions made: Added detail for Letter of Intent Evaluation Criteria) Solicitation Amend 3: Closing Date of the FOA FROM: 18 July 2024 TO: 18 July 2029 Cost Ceiling $49M Contracting/Agreements Points of Contact (POC) Agreements Officer Mariah Salazar Alternate Agreements Officer Jennifer Jaramillo Agreements Specialist Monique Esquibel-Sena Brendan Merritt Emails: mariah.salazar@us.af.mil; monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil, jennifer.jaramillo@us.af.mil, brendan.merritt@us.af.mil (Revisions made: Changed Letter of Intent review from 10 business days to 30 business days, Added verbiage to Section, D. Review and Selection Process, on Security Risk Review, added Agreement Specialist, Brendan Merritt, brendan.merritt@us.af.mil) Solicitation Amend 4: Closing Date of the FOA FROM: 18 July 2024 TO: 18 July 2029 Cost Ceiling $49M Contracting/Agreements Points of Contact (POC) Agreements Officer Mariah Salazar Alternate Agreements Officer Jennifer Jaramillo Agreements Specialist Monique Esquibel-Sena Emails: mariah.salazar@us.af.mil; monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil, jennifer.jaramillo@us.af.mil (Revisions made: Changed Attachment 2 of Solicitation to DoD R&amp;D General Terms and Conditions MARCH 2025. Removed Agreement Specialist, Brendan Merritt, brendan.merritt@us.af.mil)

Up to $49M
2029-07-18
sciencetechnology

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development of Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)

open

National Institutes of Health

The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) invites applications from neuroscience investigators seeking support to advance their small molecule drug discovery and development projects into the clinic. Participants in the BPN are responsible for conducting all studies that involve disease- or target-specific assays, models, and other research tools and receive funding for all activities to be conducted in their own laboratories. In addition, applicants will collaborate with NIH-funded consultants and can augment their project with NIH contract research organizations (CROs) that specialize in medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, formulations development, chemical synthesis including under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Phase I clinical testing. Projects can enter either at the Discovery stage, to optimize promising hit compounds through medicinal chemistry to the Development stage, to advance a single development candidate through Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling toxicology studies and phase I clinical testing. Alternatively, projects can enter at the Development stage and progress in a shorter period to IND enabling toxicology studies and phase I clinical testing. BPN awardee Institutions retain their assignment of IP rights and gain assignment of IP rights from the BPN contractors (and thereby control the patent prosecution and licensing negotiations) for drug candidates developed in this program.

2026-08-18
EducationHealth

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

BRAIN Initiative: Clinical Studies to Advance Next-Generation Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)

open

National Institutes of Health

The purpose of this announcement is to encourage investigators to pursue a small clinical trial to obtain critical information necessary to advance recording and/or stimulating devices to treat central nervous system disorders and better understand the human brain (e.g., Early Feasibility Study). Clinical studies supported may consist of acute or short-term procedures that are deemed Non-Significant Risk (NSR) by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), or Significant Risk (SR) studies that require an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) from the FDA, such as chronic implants. The clinical trial should provide data to answer key questions about the function or final design of a device. This final device design may require most, if not all, of the non-clinical testing on the path to more advanced clinical trials and market approval. The clinical trial is expected to provide information that cannot be practically obtained through additional non-clinical assessments (e.g., bench top or animal studies) due to the novelty of the device or its intended use. Activities supported by this Funding Opportunity include a small clinical trial to answer key questions about the function or final design of a device.As part of the BRAIN Initiative, NIH has initiated a Public-Private Partnership Program (BRAIN PPP) that includes agreements (Memoranda of Understanding, MOU) with a number of device manufacturers willing to make such devices available, including devices and capabilities not yet market approved but appropriate for clinical research. In general it is expected that the devices' existing safety and utility data will be sufficient to enable new IRB NSR or FDA IDE approval without need for significant additional non-clinical data. For more information on the BRAIN PPP, see http://braininitiative.nih.gov/BRAIN_PPP/index.htm

2026-09-28
Educationincome_security_and_social_servicesHealth

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

NIDA Animal Genomics Program (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

open

National Institutes of Health

The purpose of the NIDA Animal Genetics Program is to identify genetic, genomic, and molecular (epi)genetic variants that underlie: 1. Phenotypes associated with addictive behaviors and/or vulnerability to distinct stages along the substance use disorders (SUD) trajectory (e.g. initial/acute use, escalation of use, acquisition of tolerance, dependence, uncontrolled use, abstinence and relapse or recovery); 2. Behaviors associated with SUD (e.g. impulsivity, novelty seeking, delayed discounting, and other genetically-associated phenotypes); and 3. Comorbidities that demonstrate genetic correlations with phenotypes and behaviors linked with SUD (e.g. anxiety, stress, poor maternal care, social defeat, and other paradigms). Applications may examine any type of genomic variant, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs), indels, large and small structural variants, and all types of mobile DNA. NIDA encourages applications that take genomics, multi-omics, and/or data-based approaches that integrate multi-level omics data, delineate gene networks, and/or uncover the function of known or newly discovered genetic or epigenetic variants. Other areas of interest include genomics analysis at the circuit level and the application of neuroscience to genomics studies. NIDA expects these studies to uncover novel mechanisms that contribute to various stages across the SUD trajectory and inform future studies about potential targets and therapeutic strategies for addiction.

2027-02-11
HealthEducationArts & Culture

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.

More education funding

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.

Get Your Matches

Free to search · No account required