Grant Opportunity: U.S. ED First in the World Grant Competition

The U.S. Department of Education has announced the availability of $60 million in FY 2015 in the First in the World (FITW) grant program.

Program description from ED:

The First in the World (FITW) Program will provide grants to institutions of higher education to spur the development of innovations that improve educational outcomes and make college more affordable for students and families, and to develop an evidence base of effective practices. Institutions of higher education or consortia of such institutions are eligible applicants for FITW grants. We encourage applicants to partner with public and private institutions and agencies that can assist the applicant to achieve the goals of the project.

Who is Eligible to Apply: An institution of higher education, combinations of such institutions, and other public and private nonprofit institutions, and other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies.

Awards: Awards are through two FITW components: Validation and Development. Funding for Validation Grants is expected to be $40 million with up to 5 new awards made, funding for development grants is expected to be $20 million with 6 to 8 awards made. Of the $60 million, $16 million has been set-aside for institutions designated as minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Deadline: June 30, 2015

View the First in the World Press Release here and access all program information here.