Grants

Opportunities to Improve College Access

Michigan College Access Network offers grant opportunities to build up the organizations and programs that put college in reach for more Michigan youth. Generous funding from the U.S. Department of Education's College Access Challenge Grant has created a series of college access program grant opportunities, including funds for planning, program startup and program excellence, and working toward greater support and program sustainability through a special challenge.

The Grants Include:

• Planning Grants: Are awarded twice a year to facilitate the initial process to develop a community-based local college access network. A one-time grant of up to $8,000 is available to cover the costs associated with determining a community's college access needs and designing an implementation plan for starting a college access network. To learn more or apply for a planning grant visit www.micollegeaccess.org/grants/planning-grant.  
• Startup Grants: Are awarded twice a year to support new community-based local college access networks. Subject to the availability of funds, up to $50,000 is available to assist with the direct program costs of a new local college access network. Startup Grant funds may not be used for scholarships, and the grant period is 12 months. To learn more or apply for a startup grant visit www.micollegeaccess.org/grants/startup-grant.  
• Collective Impact Grants: Awarded yearly to support community-based local college access networks that are coordinating individuals from broad cross-sector entities within their community to affect larger-scale social change.  Subject to the availability of funds, up to $25,000 annually is available to assist and support these efforts. Collective Impact Grant funds may not be used for scholarships, and the grant period is 12 months. Grants may be renewed beyond the first year pending available funding and reapplication process. LCANs must have been operational by October 1, 2011 and working within the statewide MCAN network in order to be eligible for a Collective Impact Grant. Collective Impact Grants will only be offered in the Fall of each year - next opportunity is Fall 2012 (Round VI). If you're applying for the Collective Impact grant, please read the Collective Impact article by Kania & Kramer. (Available for download here: http://bit.ly/dHoK5u)

Technical assistance/Professional support: When you receive any of these college access grants, you’re eligible to receive technical assistance and professional support available through Michigan College Access Network.

Application Deadlines (Round V):

Intent to Apply Form - February 3, 2012 (by 5:00 PM EST)
Proposal Submission - March 2, 2012 (by 5:00 PM EST)
Award Notification - by March 30, 2012

MCAN staff is available to help organizations through the application and program process. Please email us or call 517-316-1713.