Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 020116 001

  • The ED in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Formula Grant Program CFDA Number 84.031P" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.031.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Feb 01, 2016 and posted on Feb 01, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 01, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for ED GRANTS 020116 001

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Opportunity Summary:

The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Formula Grant Program (CFDA 84.031P) is a U.S. Department of Education grant program designed to help eligible colleges and universities strengthen their ability to serve Black American students, particularly those from low- and middle-income backgrounds. The central aim is capacity-building: funding supports institutional efforts to plan, develop, undertake, and implement programs that expand higher education opportunities and improve student outcomes. In practical terms, the program is intended to help institutions improve the academic and support systems that contribute to college access, persistence, and completion, while also reinforcing the institutions financial capability to meet the academic needs of the students they serve.

A key theme in the program description is widening the pipeline into and through higher education. The grant is framed not only around supporting students once they arrive on campus, but also around encouraging college preparation and persistence across secondary and postsecondary education. That includes activities that can help students stay on track academically, navigate transitions into college, and remain enrolled through completion. The program also emphasizes improving an institutions capacity to serve a larger number of eligible students, meaning the funding is meant to create sustainable improvements rather than one-off, short-term projects.

This opportunity is a formula grant program, which generally means awards are determined by statutory or regulatory formulas tied to institutional eligibility and characteristics rather than a purely competitive scoring process. Even so, the synopsis stresses that applicants must rely on the official Federal Register application notice for the full and controlling requirements, including who qualifies as eligible, what documentation is required, how to submit an application, any applicable priorities, and how performance will be measured. The synopsis explicitly notes that the Federal Register notice is the official version and points applicants to free online access for reviewing those requirements.

The legal authority for the program comes from Title III, Part A, Section 318 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1059e). The funding instrument is a grant, the federal agency is the U.S. Department of Education, and the opportunity is categorized as mandatory. The posted opportunity information lists the funding opportunity number as ED GRANTS 020116 001, with an original and current closing date of April 1, 2016, and a posting/creation date of February 1, 2016. The eligible applicants field is described broadly as "Others," with a note to consult the official notice for the precise eligibility definition and any clarifications.

Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as federal support aimed at strengthening eligible predominantly Black institutions so they can better educate and retain low- and middle-income Black American students. It focuses on building institutional systems and programs that improve preparation, persistence, and academic success, while also shoring up the financial capacity of participating institutions. For any institution considering applying, the essential next step is to review the Federal Register notice because it governs the detailed rules for eligibility, required components of an application, submission procedures, and the metrics used to track results.

Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Formula Grant Program (CFDA 84.031P) FAQs

What is the Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Formula Grant Program?

The Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Formula Grant Program (CFDA 84.031P) is a U.S. Department of Education program administered through the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE). It is designed to help eligible colleges and universities strengthen their ability to serve Black American students, with a particular focus on students from low- and middle-income backgrounds.

What is the main purpose of this grant?

The central purpose is capacity-building. The grant supports institutional efforts to plan, develop, undertake, and implement programs that expand higher education opportunities and improve student outcomes. It also emphasizes strengthening an institution's financial capability to meet the academic needs of the students it serves.

What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to improve?

Based on the program description, the program aims to improve outcomes tied to college access, persistence (staying enrolled), and completion. The emphasis is on improving the academic and support systems that help students enter higher education, transition successfully, remain enrolled, and finish their programs.

Who is this funding intended to benefit?

The program is intended to benefit Black American students, particularly those from low- and middle-income backgrounds, by strengthening the institutions that serve them. The funding is oriented toward institutional improvements that ultimately support student success.

What does "capacity-building" mean in this grant context?

In the context described, capacity-building means strengthening institutional systems, programs, and operational ability so the institution can better serve students over time. The synopsis frames this as sustainable improvement (not just short-term or one-time activities).

Does the program only support students after they enroll in college?

No. A key theme is widening the pipeline into and through higher education. The description highlights support not only once students are on campus, but also activities connected to college preparation and persistence across secondary and postsecondary education, including support that helps students stay academically on track and navigate the transition into college.

What kinds of activities does the program description suggest may be supported?

The synopsis indicates support for institutional programs and systems that expand higher education opportunity and improve student outcomes. It references activities that can help students stay on track academically, navigate transitions into college, remain enrolled through completion, and improve an institution's capacity to serve more eligible students.

Is this a competitive grant or a formula grant?

This opportunity is described as a formula grant program. That generally means awards are determined using statutory or regulatory formulas linked to institutional eligibility and characteristics, rather than being based solely on a competitive scoring process.

If it is a formula grant, do applicants still need to follow an official application notice?

Yes. The synopsis emphasizes that applicants must rely on the official Federal Register application notice for the full and controlling requirements. That notice governs eligibility, required documentation, how to submit an application, any applicable priorities, and how performance will be measured.

Where can applicants find the official and controlling program requirements?

The synopsis states that the Federal Register notice is the official version and that it is available online for free. Applicants are directed to review that notice to understand the controlling requirements and instructions.

What is the legal authority for the PBI Formula Grant Program?

The legal authority cited is Title III, Part A, Section 318 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1059e).

Which federal agency administers this grant?

The federal agency is the U.S. Department of Education, and the program is associated with the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE).

What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

How is this opportunity categorized in terms of funding type?

The opportunity is categorized as mandatory.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The program is identified as CFDA 84.031P.

What is the funding opportunity number listed for this program?

The posted funding opportunity number is ED GRANTS 020116 001.

What were the posted dates for this opportunity?

The posting/creation date is February 1, 2016. The original closing date and the current closing date are both listed as April 1, 2016.

Who is eligible to apply?

The posted opportunity information describes eligible applicants broadly as "Others" and notes that applicants should consult the official Federal Register notice for the precise eligibility definition and any clarifications.

What should an institution do first if it is considering applying?

The synopsis identifies the essential next step as reviewing the Federal Register notice, because it governs the detailed rules for eligibility, required components of an application, submission procedures, and the metrics used to track results.

How will performance or results be measured?

The synopsis indicates that performance measurement requirements are addressed in the official Federal Register notice. Applicants are instructed to consult that notice for how performance will be measured.

What is the overall intent of this grant opportunity?

Overall, this opportunity is described as federal support aimed at strengthening eligible predominantly Black institutions so they can better educate and retain low- and middle-income Black American students. It focuses on improving institutional systems that support preparation, persistence, and academic success, while also reinforcing institutional financial capacity.

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