Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 042921 001
The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Partnership Grants opportunity (Assistance Listing Number 84.334A) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to build sustained, structured support systems that help eligible low-income students, including students with disabilities, stay on track through high school, earn a secondary school diploma (or its recognized equivalent), and successfully prepare for and transition into postsecondary education. The core idea behind GEAR UP is early, continuous intervention: students benefit most when academic preparation, advising, and exposure to college and career planning begin well before graduation and continue over time, rather than being offered only at the end of high school.
This particular competition focuses on Partnership Grants, which are awarded to partnerships that must include at least one institution of higher education (IHE) and at least one local educational agency (LEA). While the synopsis notes that eligibility details should be confirmed in the official Federal Register notice, the program structure makes clear that these awards are meant to formalize collaboration between K-12 systems and colleges or universities, aligning efforts so students receive consistent guidance, academic supports, and readiness activities across middle school and high school years, with a clear line of sight to enrollment and success in college.
Key administrative details included in the notice indicate that this is a grant funding instrument under the education funding activity category. The opportunity was posted April 29, 2021, with applications made available the same day. The deadline for transmittal of applications was June 28, 2021, and the deadline for intergovernmental review was August 27, 2021. The Department anticipated making approximately 28 awards, with an award ceiling of $5,000,000 per grant (meaning individual awards could be up to that amount, depending on the approved project and federal funding decisions).
The synopsis emphasizes that the brief description provided is not the full set of requirements and that applicants needed to rely on the official Federal Register application notice for complete instructions. That official notice would include the full eligibility rules, required components of the application package, project expectations, performance measures, and any priorities (such as competitive preference priorities or absolute priorities) that could affect how applications are scored. It also points applicants to the Department of Education "Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs" (published February 13, 2019, 84 FR 3768) for standard guidance on obtaining and submitting applications, which typically covers application formatting, required federal forms, submission procedures through the Department’s systems, and other cross-cutting federal grant requirements.
For questions about the competition, the listed program contact was Ben Witthoefft at the U.S. Department of Education, with an office address at 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 2C215, Washington, DC 20202-6450, telephone (202) 453-7576, and email Ben.Witthoefft@ed.gov. The notice also directs readers to the Federal Register and associated government sources for the authoritative version of the requirements, underscoring that the published register notice governs if there is any mismatch between summaries and official program rules.Apply for ED GRANTS 042921 001
- The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Higher Education Programs (HEP): Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (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 Apr 29, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 28, 2021 Applications Available April 29, 2021. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications June 28, 2021. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review August 27, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Ben Witthoefft, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 2C215, Washington, DC 20202-6450. Telephone (202) 453-7576. Email Ben.Witthoefft@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 $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 28 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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GEAR UP Partnership Grants (Assistance Listing 84.334A) FAQs
What is the GEAR UP Partnership Grants opportunity (84.334A)?
The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Partnership Grants opportunity (Assistance Listing Number 84.334A) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE). It supports projects that build sustained, structured support systems to help eligible low-income students stay academically on track through high school and successfully prepare for and transition into postsecondary education.
What is the main goal of GEAR UP according to the notice?
The goal is to provide early, continuous intervention so students receive academic preparation, advising, and college and career planning well before high school graduation and over time, rather than only near the end of high school.
Who are the students this program is intended to serve?
The program is designed to help eligible low-income students, including students with disabilities. The intent is to support these students through high school completion (earning a secondary school diploma or recognized equivalent) and into postsecondary education.
What does "Partnership Grants" mean in this competition?
This competition is for Partnership Grants, meaning awards are made to partnerships that coordinate across K-12 and higher education. The purpose is to align efforts so students receive consistent guidance, academic supports, and readiness activities across the middle school and high school years, with a clear connection to college enrollment and success.
What organizations must be included in an eligible partnership?
The partnership must include at least one institution of higher education (IHE) and at least one local educational agency (LEA). The synopsis also notes that eligibility details should be confirmed in the official Federal Register notice.
Which federal office runs this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE).
What type of funding is this?
This opportunity uses a grant funding instrument and is listed under the education funding activity category.
When was this opportunity posted and when were applications available?
The opportunity was posted on April 29, 2021, and applications were made available the same day (April 29, 2021).
What was the deadline to submit (transmit) applications?
The deadline for transmittal of applications was June 28, 2021.
What was the deadline for intergovernmental review?
The deadline for intergovernmental review was August 27, 2021.
How many awards did the Department expect to make?
The Department anticipated making approximately 28 awards.
What is the maximum award size (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $5,000,000 per grant. This means an individual award could be up to $5,000,000, depending on the approved project and federal funding decisions.
Does the synopsis include all requirements and instructions?
No. The synopsis emphasizes that the brief description is not the complete set of requirements. Applicants were expected to rely on the official Federal Register application notice for complete and authoritative instructions.
Where should applicants look for the authoritative rules if there is a mismatch with a summary?
The notice directs readers to the official Federal Register notice and associated government sources, and indicates that the published Federal Register notice governs if there is any mismatch between summaries and the official program rules.
What additional guidance is referenced for submitting Department of Education discretionary grants?
The opportunity points applicants to the Department of Education "Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs" (published February 13, 2019, 84 FR 3768). This referenced guidance typically covers standard instructions for obtaining and submitting applications, including formatting, required federal forms, submission procedures through Department systems, and other cross-cutting federal grant requirements.
What kinds of items would the official Federal Register notice include that may not appear in a synopsis?
According to the synopsis, the official Federal Register application notice would include full eligibility rules, required components of the application package, project expectations, performance measures, and any priorities (including competitive preference priorities or absolute priorities) that could affect how applications are scored.
What is the program's approach to helping students succeed?
The approach emphasized is sustained, structured support and early, continuous intervention, with academic preparation, advising, and college/career planning beginning well before graduation and continuing over time.
Who was the listed program contact for questions?
The listed program contact was Ben Witthoefft at the U.S. Department of Education.
What contact information was provided for the program contact?
Office address: 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 2C215, Washington, DC 20202-6450
Telephone: (202) 453-7576
Email: Ben.Witthoefft@ed.gov
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