Rural Higher Ed? Postsecondary & Economic Development Grant Announced

Many of RSC's partners are working hard for rural students in the higher ed landscape. We are pleased to share this funding opportunity that could support those efforts. Working on a Rural Teacher Corps program? Have an idea to address the rural teacher shortage through teacher licensure and preparation programs? This grant may be able to help! Thanks to our friends at RootED for sharing this opportunity.

The U.S. Department of Education has issued a Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for its Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Grant Program, funded at nearly $10 million. These competitive grants will be awarded to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education (IHEs), as defined in section 101 of the HEA, with enrollment of at least 30 percent of students who attended high schools located in rural areas.

The NIA says the grant “is designed to support postsecondary enrollment and completion by addressing the challenges rural students face accessing postsecondary education that will prepare them for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations.”

This grant is supporting the development or implementation of evidence-based strategies to promote rural students’ development of the knowledge and skills necessary for success in high-need occupations, including career training that leads to good jobs in fields relevant to the regional economy, and to raise awareness of, and access to, paid internship, fellowship, apprenticeship, and job opportunities.

The estimated average size of award is $1,200,000 with a maximum award size of $1,237,500. The project period/grant duration is up to 36 months.

The deadline for submissions is December 6th, and selections are expected by the end of the year. Apply using this link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336426

More detailed information about the aims of the program, who is eligible, and how the grant will be administered is available here on the Federal Register.