[Office of Postsecondary Education](https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/index.html)

May 1, 2026 (Full application) | June 30, 2026 (Intergovernmental Review)

$250,000–$10,000,000/year; typical awards 5 years; estimated total funding $175M; ~175 awards

Supports projects that identify and assist disadvantaged youth to complete secondary school and enter postsecondary education, with a focus on academic, financial, and career guidance.

--- ## Description This federal grant, administered by the Office of Postsecondary Education (U.S. Department of Education), funds the Talent Search Program, which aims to increase the number of disadvantaged youth who complete secondary school and enroll in postsecondary education. Projects are designed to provide academic, financial, and career guidance to students from low-income backgrounds, including those who are first-generation college students, students with disabilities, foster youth, and disconnected youth. The program emphasizes early intervention and personalized support, including awareness of financial aid, postsecondary options (such as college and apprenticeships), and workforce pathways. The Talent Search Program encourages integration with workforce development systems and innovative approaches, such as dual enrollment, work-based learning, and the use of data infrastructure for tracking outcomes. Applicants are expected to serve at least 500 participants annually, with a minimum of two-thirds being low-income, first-generation college students. --- ## Due Dates - **May 1, 2026**: Full application submission deadline (electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time) - **June 30, 2026**: Deadline for Intergovernmental Review (submit to State Single Point of Contact as required under Executive Order 12372) --- ## Funding Amount - **Estimated total program funding**: $175,152,359 - **Award ceiling**: $10,000,000/year (for designated state-level or qualifying tribal applicants) - **Award floor**: $250,000/year - **Typical award**: Up to $1,000,000/year for most applicants; up to $10,000,000/year for one designated state-level or qualifying tribal applicant - **Expected number of awards**: ~175 - **Project period**: Up to 60 months (5 years) - **Minimum service**: 500 participants/year; maximum annual per-participant cost: $500 --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - Institutions of higher education (public or private) - Public or private agencies or organizations (including community-based organizations with experience serving disadvantaged youth) - Secondary schools (including charter schools) - State educational agencies - Native American tribal governments and organizations - Combinations of the above **Additional requirements:** - Projects must serve a minimum of 500 participants annually, with at least two-thirds being low-income, first-generation college students. - The project must be accessible to the proposed population. - Applicants may submit multiple applications if each targets a different area or school. - No cost sharing or matching required. --- ## Application Process 1. **Register**: Applicants must be registered in both [SAM.gov](https://sam.gov) and [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/). 2. **Prepare Application**: Submit all required forms and attachments through Grants.gov Workspace, including: - SF 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) - Budget Information (SF 424A) - Project Narrative (max 65 pages recommended) - Talent Search Program Profile Form - Program Assurances Form - Absolute Priority, Competitive Preference, and Invitational Priority narratives (as applicable) - Letters of support/commitment from relevant partners 3. **Submit**: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by the deadline. 4. **Intergovernmental Review**: Applicants in states participating in Executive Order 12372 must submit materials to their State Single Point of Contact by June 30, 2026. 5. **Review**: Applications are reviewed for eligibility, completeness, and scored based on published selection criteria (need, objectives, plan of operation, community support, personnel, budget, evaluation plan). --- ## Additional Information - **Priorities**: - **Absolute Priority**: Expanding education choice (e.g., high-impact tutoring, apprenticeships, industry-recognized credentials) - **Competitive Preference Priority**: Projects led by state agencies or tribal entities (up to 5 extra points) - **Invitational Priority**: Projects that strengthen career counseling and integrate education with workforce outcomes (e.g., learning and employment records, talent marketplaces) - **Unallowable costs**: Stipends for participants, financial aid application fees, unrelated research, construction/renovation. - **Reporting**: Annual performance reporting required (persistence, graduation, enrollment, completion rates). - **Indirect costs**: Limited to the lesser of the negotiated rate or 8% of modified total direct cost base. --- ## External Links - [Program Funder Page: Office of Postsecondary Education](https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/index.html) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361528) - [FY 2026 Application Notice and Instructions (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/ED-GRANT-26-022-FY-2026-Talent-Search-84.044-Application-Notice-and-Instructions.pdf) - [2026 Program Profile Sheet (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/TS-2026-New-Program-Profile-Sheet-3-12-26.pdf) - [2026 Program Assurances Form (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/2026-Talent-Search-program-assurances.pdf) - [Federal TRIO Programs – Current Year Low-Income Levels](https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-higher-education/federal-trio-programs/federal-trio-programs-current-year-low-income-levels) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | |-------------------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------| | ReShone Moore | [reshone.moore@ed.gov](mailto:reshone.moore@ed.gov) | 202-453-7624 | | Ben Witthoefft | [ben.witthoefft@ed.gov](mailto:ben.witthoefft@ed.gov) | 202-453-7576 | | Office of Postsecondary Education (general) | [ope@ed.gov](mailto:ope@ed.gov) | 202-401-3000 |

Talent Search Program

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