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 on this page, worth up to $111.6M combined.
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Higher Education Challenge Grants Program
openNational Institute of Food and Agriculture
The purpose of HEC, under assistance listing 10.217, is to strengthen institutional capacities, including curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, and student recruitment and retention. The HEC program is focused on developing and improving formal master s or doctorate degree-level food…
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Fiscal Year 2027 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)
openAir Force Office of Scientific Research
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…
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Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War (DoW) Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)
openDept of the Army -- Materiel Command
Department of Army:The Department of War (DoW) 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…
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Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War (DoW) Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)
openOffice of Naval Research
In accordance with EO 14332, Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking, dated 7 August 2025, and EO 14303, Restoring Gold Standard Science, dated 23 May 2025, this Announcement seeksproposals from universities to purchase equipment and instrumentation in support of research in areas of interest…
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The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program Cooperative Agreement
openDept of the Army -- Materiel Command
The Department of War (DoW) seeks innovative applications to cooperatively partner with eligible entities in the implementation and execution of the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program. The Department intends to award ONE (1) CA award, with a maximum award of up to $1,300M over a ten-year period…
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NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM)
openU.S. National Science Foundation
The main goal of the S-STEM program is to enable academically talented, low-income students to pursue successful careers in promising STEM fields. Ultimately, the S-STEM program seeks to increase the number of academically promising low-income students who graduate with an S-STEM eligible degree…
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Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Education Innovation and Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS)
openU.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…
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Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)
openOffice of Naval Research
Established in 1985, the Department of War Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program funds U.S. academic research teams to conduct high-impact basic research that addresses future challenges faced by the Department of War. The MURI program specifically supports U.S…
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Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War (DoW) Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)
openAir Force Office of Scientific Research
Agency Name:Air Force Office of Scientific ResearchDescription:See full announcement in Related Documents folder for detailed descriptions of the SPECIFIC MURI TOPICS.
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Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War (DoW) Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)
openDept of the Army -- Materiel Command
Army Research Office (ARO): DoW's MURI program addresses high-risk basic research and attempts to understand or achieve something that has never been done before. The program was initiated 40 years ago and it has regularly produced significant scientific breakthroughs with far reaching…
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Defense Security Cooperation University - Research Grants
openWashington Headquarters Services
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency s (DSCA) Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) promotes access to and production of knowledge on security cooperation. Security cooperation refers to all Department of Defense (DoD) interactions with foreign security establishments that build and…
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Research and Development (RAD) Directed Energy (RD) University Assistance Instruments
openAir 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…
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Assay Validation of High Quality Markers for Clinical Studies in Cancer (UH2/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications to support the validation of molecular/cellular/imaging markers (referred to as "markers" or "biomarkers") and assays for cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and prediction…
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NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NCI-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed for postdoctoral fellows with research and/or clinical…
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Assay Validation of High Quality Markers for Clinical Studies in Cancer (UH3 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to accelerate the adoption and validation of molecular/cellular/imaging markers (referred to as "markers" or "biomarkers") and assays for cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and…
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NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Required)
openNational Institutes of Health
The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NCI-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed for postdoctoral fellows with research and/or clinical…
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Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant
openEnvironmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) section 1459E to accelerate career pipelines in the water utilities sector and provide access to water utility workforce opportunities. This action advances the…
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Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Competition
openAmeriCorps
AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors…
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Developing novel theory and methods for understanding the genetic architecture of complex human traits (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
The goal of this NOFO is to support applications for novel theory and methods development that enable better understanding of how genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to complex trait variation across individuals, families, and populations. Approaches should be interdisciplinary drawing from…
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Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) along with other participating Institutes encourages submission of applications proposing to conduct secondary data analysis and integration of existing datasets and database resources, with the ultimate aim to…
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NIDA Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Award in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder Research (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)
openNational Institutes of Health
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages applications for institutional research career development (K12) programs that propose to support intensive supervised research training and career development experiences for clinician scientists (Scholars) leading to research independence in…
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Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) along with other participating Institutes encourages submission of applications proposing to conduct secondary data analysis and integration of existing datasets and database resources, with the ultimate aim to…
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Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
openNational Institutes of Health
The purpose of this NOFO is to invite Research Project (R01) applications that propose to study the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of human genetics and genomics. Applications may propose studies using either single or mixed methods. Approaches may include but are not limited to…
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Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
openNational Institutes of Health
The purpose of this NOFO is to invite Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21) applications that propose to study the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of human genetics and genomics. Applications may propose studies using either single or mixed methods. Approaches may include…
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Competing Revisions to Existing NIH Single Project Research Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Clinical Trial Optional)
openNational Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) hereby notifies NIH award recipients that funds may be available for revision applications to support the expansion of existing projects and/or programs within the awarding IC identified in the competitive revision Notice of Special Interest (NOSI)…
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Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose…
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NIH Research Software Engineer (RSE) Award (R50 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to provide salary support for exceptional Research Software Engineers (RSEs) that contribute their skills to the development and dissemination of biomedical, behavioral or health related software, tools, and algorithms as well as to the…
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Academic-Industrial Partnerships (AIP) to Translate and Validate In Vivo Imaging Systems (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
openNational Institutes of Health
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to stimulate translation of scientific discoveries and engineering developments in imaging, data science and/or spectroscopic technologies into methods or tools that address contemporary problems in…
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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…
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Cancer Prevention and Control Clinical Trials Grant Program (R01 Clinical Trial Required)
openNational Institutes of Health
Through this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for support of investigator-initiated clinical trials that have the potential to reduce the burden of cancer through improvements in early detection, screening, prevention and interception…
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Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
openNational Institutes of Health
Not available
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Personal Health Informatics for Delivering Actionable Insights to Individuals (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
openNational Institutes of Health
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to advance the development of novel informatics and data science approaches that can help individuals understand and improve their health through actionable insights. NLM seeks applications that further the science of personal health…
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Interventions to expand cancer screening and preventive services to ADVANCE health in populations that experience health disparities (R01, Clinical Trial Required)
openNational Institutes of Health
The Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) and participating National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICs) are issuing this R01 to solicit applications to address barriers and facilitators that impede use or uptake of cancer screening and preventive services in populations…
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Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk with Use of Incretin Mimetics (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
openNational Institutes of Health
The goal of the proposed funding announcement is twofold, to promote preclinical and patient based studies examining the mechanism(s) through which incretin mimetics (including agonists or antagonists of GLP-1, GIP-1, or dual GLP-1/GIP-1 agents) impact cancer risk, and to draw talented scientists…
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National Cancer Institute's Investigator-Initiated Early Phase Clinical Trials for Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (R01 Clinical Trial Required)
openNational Institutes of Health
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks research projects that implement early phase (Phase 0, I, and II) investigator-initiated clinical trials focused on cancer-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic interventions of direct relevance to the research…
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Population Approaches to Reducing Alcohol-related Cancer Risk (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
openNational Institutes of Health
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aims to support research on interdisciplinary population approaches to increasing awareness of the relationship between alcohol and cancer risk, understanding and changing social norms related to alcohol consumption, developing and/or evaluating alcohol…
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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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