Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Higher Education Programs (HEP): Upward Bound (UB) Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.047A | ED GRANTS 121621 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 121621 003

The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Upward Bound (UB) Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.047A, is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education under the Federal TRIO Programs. Upward Bound is designed to help students successfully complete secondary school and then transition into, enroll in, and succeed in postsecondary education. The core idea behind the program is early, structured academic and advising support for students who need additional guidance and preparation to make college a realistic and attainable next step.

This particular notice invites applications only for the standard Upward Bound (UB) grants. While the UB umbrella includes three grant types (Upward Bound, Upward Bound Veterans, and Upward Bound Math and Science), the Department indicated that competitions for Veterans UB and UB Math and Science would be announced separately in future notices. In other words, this opportunity focuses on the traditional Upward Bound model rather than the specialized veteran or STEM-focused variants.

Upward Bound projects are expected to deliver a defined set of required services established in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), specifically in sections 402C(b) and (c) (20 U.S.C. 1070a-13). In addition to those required components, applicants may also propose additional permissible services described in section 402C(d) of the HEA. The program structure is therefore partly prescriptive (certain services must be provided) while still allowing flexibility for applicants to tailor additional supports to the needs of their target students and communities.

Eligibility for applying is broad and includes multiple types of public entities and higher education institutions. Eligible applicants listed for this competition include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other entities as described in the full notice. Because the synopsis points applicants to the official Federal Register notice for exact eligibility language and any clarifications, prospective applicants would typically confirm they meet the statutory and notice-specific definitions before investing in a full application.

Administratively, this opportunity was published with an application availability date of December 16, 2021, and a deadline for transmittal of applications of January 31, 2022. It also included an intergovernmental review deadline of March 31, 2022, which is relevant for applicants operating in jurisdictions subject to intergovernmental review processes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a grant funding instrument under the broad funding activity category of education.

In terms of anticipated funding scale, the notice listed an award ceiling of $991,028 and an expected number of awards of 966. These figures suggest a large national competition with many awards, but with project budgets that can vary by scope, proposed services, and the applicant’s approved model. Exact award amounts and final award counts typically depend on annual appropriations, application quality, and how the Department applies program priorities and selection criteria described in the official notice.

The Department emphasizes that the synopsis is not the authoritative source for requirements. Applicants are directed to the official Federal Register application notice for details such as pre-application and application requirements, submission instructions, performance measures, priorities, and contact information, as well as to the Department’s Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published February 13, 2019, 84 FR 3768). For direct questions, the listed program contact for this competition was Ken Waters at the U.S. Department of Education, with the provided phone number (202) 453-6273 and email Ken.Waters@ed.gov.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Higher Education Programs (HEP): Upward Bound (UB) Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.047A" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.047.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 16, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 31, 2022 Applications Available Dec. 16, 2021. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications Jan. 31, 2022. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review March 31, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Ken Waters, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 2C229, Washington, DC 20202-4260. Telephone (202) 453-6273. Email Ken.Waters@ed.gov.. (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 $991,028.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 966 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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