Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Upward Bound Program CFDA Number 84.047A | ED GRANTS 101716 001

Upward Bound (UB) Program Grant (CFDA 84.047A) - FAQs

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant competition announced by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), for the Upward Bound (UB) Program under CFDA 84.047A (Funding Opportunity Number: ED GRANTS 101716 001).

What is the Upward Bound (UB) Program?

Upward Bound is one of the Federal TRIO Programs. It is designed to improve college access and success for students who face barriers to higher education by supporting projects that build academic skills, college preparation, and motivation to complete high school, enroll in postsecondary education, and persist once enrolled.

What is the main goal of projects funded under this competition?

The core goal is to fund projects that help participants develop the academic readiness and preparation needed to graduate from high school, enter postsecondary education, and continue making progress once they get there.

Which type of Upward Bound grants does this notice cover?

This notice invites applications only for standard (regular) Upward Bound grants.

Are Veterans Upward Bound or Upward Bound Math and Science included in this competition?

No. The broader Upward Bound umbrella includes regular Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound, and Upward Bound Math and Science, but the agency states that the Veterans Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science competitions would be announced separately in future notices.

Where do the required services and allowable activities come from?

The required services that funded projects must provide, along with additional allowable (permissible) services, are grounded in the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended).

Which Higher Education Act (HEA) sections are referenced for required services?

Required services are identified in sections 402C(b) and (c) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1070a-13), as referenced in the notice.

Which HEA section is referenced for permissible services?

Permissible services are identified in section 402C(d) of the HEA, as referenced in the notice.

Do applicants need to follow the Federal Register notice or the synopsis listing?

Applicants are directed to consult the official Federal Register application notice for the exact list of required elements, optional services, and compliance expectations. The listing description is described as a synopsis, and the Federal Register notice contains the controlling requirements.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are broad and include institutions of higher education as well as public and private agencies and organizations, including community-based organizations with experience serving disadvantaged youth. Secondary schools and combinations or partnerships among these entities are also eligible.

What types of organizations does the listing indicate may be eligible?

The listing indicates a wide range of eligible applicant types across government and nonprofit sectors, including state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and private colleges and universities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; and certain for-profit organizations other than small businesses. Eligibility ultimately depends on the rules in the official notice.

Are partnerships allowed?

Yes. The notice indicates that combinations or partnerships among eligible entities may apply.

How must applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the Grants.gov "Apply" process. Applicants are expected to download the application package, complete it offline, and upload it to Grants.gov for submission.

Can an application be submitted by email?

No. The notice states that applications cannot be submitted by email and must be submitted through Grants.gov.

How should applicants search for the application package on Grants.gov?

A specific detail emphasized is to search for the application package by the CFDA number without the letter suffix: search for 84.047 rather than 84.047A.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 84.047A. For locating the application package in Grants.gov, the notice highlights searching by 84.047 (without the "A" suffix).

What is the funding opportunity number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is ED GRANTS 101716 001.

When was the application closing date?

The listing includes an original closing date of November 28, 2016.

How many awards were expected?

The listing states an expected 813 awards.

Is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) provided in the summary?

No. The provided summary notes that the award ceiling is not specified.

What should an applicant focus on when designing a project?

Applicants are expected to design a coherent set of supports aligned to the statutory requirements in the Higher Education Act (required and permissible services) and to meet the Department of Education reporting and performance expectations as laid out in the official Federal Register notice.

What does the official Federal Register notice contain that applicants should review?

The notice states that the Federal Register application notice contains the full rules for eligibility, pre-application and application procedures, submission instructions, performance measures, priorities, and contact information for program questions.

What is the program trying to expand or sustain through this competition?

The opportunity is aimed at expanding or sustaining evidence-informed, student-centered academic and college preparation supports for eligible secondary students, delivered by competitively selected organizations that can provide required Upward Bound services and meet federal reporting and performance expectations.