Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 112024 001
The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) is offering the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Partnership Grants under Assistance Listing Number 84.334A. This is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Education that focuses on helping students from low-income backgrounds, including students with disabilities, stay on track to earn a high school diploma (or an equivalent credential) and successfully prepare for, enter, and complete postsecondary education. The core idea is to build sustained, coordinated support around students early enough that college becomes a realistic, well-supported pathway rather than a last-minute option.
This particular opportunity is for the Partnership grant track (as opposed to the State grant track). To be eligible, an applicant must apply as a Partnership that includes at least one degree-granting institution of higher education (IHE) and at least one local educational agency (LEA). Partnerships are also allowed to include additional members and, in practice, are often stronger when they do. The notice indicates the Partnership may include at least two other organizations, which can include community-based organizations, businesses, professional associations, State agencies, and other public or private entities. The program statute also references entities connected to programs authorized under the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP), signaling that collaborations tied to financial aid awareness and college affordability supports may align well with program goals.
Applications submitted by Partnerships have an added structural requirement: they must follow the group-application procedures in 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129. A key practical implication is that the partners cannot simply be listed; they must be bound together through a formal agreement. That agreement needs to spell out what each member will do, and it must commit each partner to the statements and assurances made in the application. In other words, the Department is looking for a unified project with clearly assigned responsibilities and shared accountability, not a loose coalition.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity (Opportunity Number ED GRANTS 112024 001) has an award ceiling of $5,000,000, with an expected 29 awards. The original closing date listed is February 3, 2025. While the synopsis provides the high-level purpose and eligibility framework, it emphasizes that the controlling details are in the official Federal Register notice. Applicants are expected to rely on that notice for the specifics that typically drive competitiveness and compliance, such as required project components, performance measures, selection criteria, priorities, submission instructions, and any pre-application requirements. The Department also points applicants to the Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 7, 2022) for the standard federal application procedures, including where and how to obtain and submit application materials.
The opportunity lists a broad set of entity types under “Eligible Applicants” in the source data, including various levels of government, school districts, public and private IHEs, tribal governments and organizations, public housing authorities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), and even for-profit organizations and small businesses. For this specific competition, though, the decisive eligibility requirement is the Partnership structure itself: at minimum, one degree-granting IHE plus one LEA applying together under the group-application rules, with the required written partnership agreement included in the submission.Apply for ED GRANTS 112024 001
- The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Student Support Service: Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Partnership Grants, Assistance Listing Number 84.334A" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.334.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 29 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - GEAR UP Partnership Grants (Assistance Listing 84.334A)
1. What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Partnership Grants offered by the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) within the U.S. Department of Education. It is a discretionary grant program intended to support students early and consistently so they stay on track to earn a high school diploma (or equivalent credential) and successfully prepare for, enter, and complete postsecondary education.
2. What is the main purpose of GEAR UP Partnership Grants?
The program focuses on building sustained, coordinated support around students from low-income backgrounds, including students with disabilities, so that college becomes a realistic and well-supported pathway rather than a last-minute option. The aim spans the full pathway: staying on track in school, graduating (or earning an equivalent credential), and being prepared to enter and complete postsecondary education.
3. Which track is this competition for: Partnership or State?
This competition is for the Partnership grant track (not the State grant track).
4. Who must be included in an eligible Partnership?
At minimum, an eligible applicant must apply as a Partnership that includes:
- At least one degree-granting institution of higher education (IHE), and
- At least one local educational agency (LEA).
5. Can the Partnership include additional organizations beyond the IHE and LEA?
Yes. Partnerships are allowed to include additional members and are often stronger when they do. The notice indicates the Partnership may include at least two other organizations, which can include community-based organizations, businesses, professional associations, State agencies, and other public or private entities.
6. Does the application require a formal partnership agreement?
Yes. Partnerships must follow the group-application procedures in 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129, which has a practical requirement that the partners are not simply listed; they must be bound together through a formal written agreement.
7. What must the written partnership agreement cover?
The written partnership agreement must clearly spell out what each member will do and must commit each partner to the statements and assurances made in the application. The Department is looking for a unified project with clearly assigned responsibilities and shared accountability.
8. What are the group-application procedures referenced for Partnerships?
Applications submitted by Partnerships must follow the group-application procedures in 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129. These rules are specifically called out as a required structure for Partnership applications and help ensure the project is jointly owned and jointly accountable across partner organizations.
9. What is the Assistance Listing Number for this program?
The Assistance Listing Number is 84.334A.
10. What is the Opportunity Number?
The Opportunity Number is ED GRANTS 112024 001.
11. How much funding can an applicant receive?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $5,000,000.
12. How many awards does the Department expect to make?
The synopsis indicates an expected 29 awards.
13. What is the application closing date?
The original closing date listed is February 3, 2025.
14. Where should applicants look for the controlling details of the competition?
The synopsis emphasizes that the controlling details are in the official Federal Register notice. Applicants are expected to rely on the Federal Register notice for specifics that typically determine competitiveness and compliance, such as required project components, performance measures, selection criteria, priorities, submission instructions, and any pre-application requirements.
15. What other official instructions does the Department point applicants to?
The Department points applicants to the Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 7, 2022). These provide standard federal application procedures, including where and how to obtain and submit application materials.
16. The eligible applicants list seems very broad. Does that mean anyone can apply?
The source data lists a broad range of entity types (including governments, school districts, public and private IHEs, tribal governments and organizations, public housing authorities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, and small businesses). For this specific competition, however, the decisive eligibility requirement is the Partnership structure itself: at minimum, one degree-granting IHE plus one LEA applying together under the group-application rules, with the required written partnership agreement included in the submission.
17. Can a nonprofit, business, or other community organization be the lead applicant?
The information provided emphasizes that eligibility hinges on applying as a Partnership that includes at least one degree-granting IHE and at least one LEA and follows the group-application procedures. It does not specify within the provided text which partner type must serve as the lead applicant; it stresses that the group must apply together and submit the required written agreement that binds partners to the application.
18. What types of students does the program aim to support?
The program focuses on helping students from low-income backgrounds, including students with disabilities, stay on track for high school completion (or an equivalent credential) and successfully prepare for, enter, and complete postsecondary education.
19. How does the program connect to financial aid awareness and college affordability work?
The program statute references entities connected to programs authorized under the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP). This signals that collaborations tied to financial aid awareness and college affordability supports may align well with the program goals.
20. What does the Department mean by a "unified project" rather than a "loose coalition"?
Based on the stated requirements, the Department is expecting partners to have clearly assigned responsibilities documented in a formal agreement, and to share accountability by committing to the statements and assurances in the application. The intent is a coordinated partnership with defined roles and a common plan, not a set of separate efforts under one name.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Student Support Service: Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) State Grants, Assistance Listing Number 84.334S Apply for ED GRANTS 112024 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 112024 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Office of Indian Education (OIE) Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) number 84.060A Apply for ED GRANTS 112524 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 112524 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $2,416,936 |
| FY25 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Apply for DOS DEU PD NOFO 25101 Funding Number: DOS DEU PD NOFO 25101 Agency: U.S. Mission to Germany Category: Education Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| 2025 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2025) Apply for OFOP0001701 Funding Number: OFOP0001701 Agency: U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan Category: Education Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.323A Apply for ED GRANTS 120324 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 120324 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bringing Youth Outdoors Together and Environmental Steward Program Apply for P25AS00187 Funding Number: P25AS00187 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Special Programs (OSEP): Training and Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities: Parent Training and Information Centers CFDA Number 84.328M Apply for ED GRANTS 121624 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 121624 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $798,050 |
| Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Education Research (NCER): Research Education Research and Development Center Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305C Apply for ED GRANTS 122024 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 122024 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Commemorating the 80th anniversary of V/E Day in Slovakia Apply for PAS SVK FY2025 03 Funding Number: PAS SVK FY2025 03 Agency: U.S. Mission to Slovakia Category: Education Funding Amount: $24,999 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 Apply for PAS JAKARTA FY25 03 Funding Number: PAS JAKARTA FY25 03 Agency: U.S. Mission to Indonesia Category: Education Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| USAID Education for Social Prosperity Apply for 72066025RFI00002 Funding Number: 72066025RFI00002 Agency: Democratic Republic of the Congo USAID-Kinshasa Category: Education Funding Amount: $14,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Yangon Public Diplomacy Small Grants Competition Apply for 25 MMR NOFO 001 Funding Number: 25 MMR NOFO 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Myanmar Category: Education Funding Amount: $99,999 |
| The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in Slovakia Apply for PE SVK FY2025 04 Funding Number: PE SVK FY2025 04 Agency: U.S. Mission to Slovakia Category: Education Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Yangon Jefferson Center Mandalay (JCM) Small Grants Competition Apply for 25 MMR NOFO 003 Funding Number: 25 MMR NOFO 003 Agency: U.S. Mission to Myanmar Category: Education Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| : U.S. Embassy Yangon American Center Yangon (ACY) Small Grants Competition Apply for 25 MMR NOFO 002 Funding Number: 25 MMR NOFO 002 Agency: U.S. Mission to Myanmar Category: Education Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): International Foreign Language Education (IFLE): Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) Fellowship Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.019A Apply for ED GRANTS 010825 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 010825 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE): Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP) Assistance Listing Number 84.101A Apply for ED GRANTS 010725 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 010725 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) Program: Training and Technical Assistance ALN Number 84.177Z Apply for ED GRANTS 011425 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 011425 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $599,706 |
| Sustainable Skills for Sustainable Communities – An Education Skills Program in support of the sustainable economic diversification of vulnerable communities in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Apply for 72067425RFA00003 Funding Number: 72067425RFA00003 Agency: South Africa USAID-Pretoria Category: Education Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| OSERS: OSEP: Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities and Demonstration and Training Programs--National Technical Assistance Center on Transition for Students and Youth with Disabilities 84.326E Apply for ED GRANTS 011525 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 011525 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $4,099,988 |
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