Fall Barrier Removal - Growing Institutional Capacity Grant

The Barrier Removal - Growing Institutional Capacity grant is administered by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MiLEAP is a state agency that focuses on education across the lifespan, including early childhood, higher education, and workforce preparation. This specific grant initiative is part of the Sixty by 30 program, which aims to increase the percentage of working-age adults in Michigan with a skill certificate or college degree to 60% by the year 2030. The grant supports higher education institutions and their partners in developing systems that remove life and poverty-related barriers impeding student success. The primary objective of this grant is to help institutions build sustainable capacity to support students who face basic needs insecurities. These needs include, but are not limited to, access to food, housing, transportation, childcare, and other essential services that impact a student’s ability to persist and succeed in postsecondary education. The grant focuses on systemic solutions rather than short-term aid, encouraging institutions to implement integrated support systems informed by data and community collaboration. Funding awards range from $100,000 to $400,000 and may span from one to three years, offering institutions flexibility to scale their support infrastructure over time. There are no publicly available details about indirect cost limitations, subaward policies, or required matching funds, which indicates a need for applicants to review EGrAMS guidelines or inquire directly with the program team for such information. Eligible applicants include public colleges and universities, community colleges, tribal colleges, and nonprofit organizations that are partnering with a college or university. Proposals must demonstrate a thoughtful and evidence-based approach to strengthening institutional capacity. Key evaluation criteria include the use of sound design principles, clear integration of data, collaboration across institutional silos, and strong community partnerships. Moreover, sustainability beyond the grant period is a critical assessment area. Applications must be submitted through the EGrAMS Portal. While paper applications are available for planning, they will not be accepted. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications at least two weeks prior to the formal deadline of June 20, with a prereview deadline on May 16. These submission deadlines highlight the importance of early planning and adherence to internal vetting processes. To support potential applicants, an informational webinar is available, and further guidance may be provided through a Frequently Asked Questions page hosted by MiLEAP. However, no individual contact names, phone numbers, or email addresses were provided in the source. Institutions are encouraged to leverage the available online resources or reach out via the department’s main communication channels for clarifications.