FIPSE Special Projects Program - Advancing Understanding and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in Postsecondary Education

FIPSE Special Projects Program - Advancing Understanding and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in Postsecondary Education is sponsored by U.S. Department of Education. This program supports projects dedicated to advancing the understanding and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in postsecondary education.

It includes priorities for capacity-building for high-quality short-term programs and workforce development related to AI.

FIPSE Special Projects Program (84. 116J) | U.S. Department of Education FIPSE Special Projects Program (84.

116J) Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) State Educational Agencies (SEAs) 12/03/2025 - 11:59 PM EST Applicant Info and Eligibility The Fund for Improving Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Special Projects Program provides grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) and other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies to support innovative projects concerning one or more areas of national need identified by the Secretary.

The most recent competition focused on supporting following four areas of national need: Expanding the understanding and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in education, Protecting and promoting civil discourse on college and university campuses, Promoting accreditation reform, and Supporting capacity-building for high-quality short-term programs.

Estimated available funds for the FY 2025 FIPSE Special Projects Program competition: $167,000,000 Of this amount, the U.S. Department of Education estimated the following allocations across the areas of national need and absolute priorities as follows: Advancing AI in Education (Absolute Priorities 1 and 2): $50,000,000, including $25,000,000 under Absolute Priority 1 and $25,000,000 under Absolute Priority 2.

Promoting Civil Discourse (Absolute Priority 3): $60,000,000 Accreditation Reform (Absolute Priorities 4 and 5): $7,000,000, including $3,500,000 under Absolute Priority 4 and $3,500,000 under Absolute Priority 5. Capacity-building for high-quality short-term programs (Absolute Priorities 6 and 7): $50,000,000, including $25,000,000 under Absolute Priority 6 and $25,000,000 under Absolute Priority 7. 20 U.S.C.

1138; 20 U.S.C. 1138c The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485.

The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. For the purpose of Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.

110 , the Department has established a set of performance measures for this competition: Project-Specific Performance Measures: Applicants must propose project-specific performance measures and performance targets (both as defined in this notice) consistent with the objectives of the proposed project. Applications must provide the following information as directed under 34 CFR 75.

110(b) and (c): Project-specific performance measures: How each proposed project-specific performance measure would accurately measure the performance of the project; be consistent with the program performance measures established under this notice; and be used to inform continuous improvement of the project.

Baseline (as defined in the notice) data: (i) Why each proposed baseline is valid and reliable, including an assessment of the quality data used to establish the baseline; or (ii) if the applicant has determined that there are no established baseline data for a particular performance measure, an explanation of why there is no established baseline and of how and when, during the project period, the applicant would establish a valid baseline for the performance measure.

Performance targets: Why each proposed performance target is ambitious yet achievable compared to the baseline for the performance measure and when, during the project period, the applicant would meet the performance target(s). All grantees must submit an annual performance report with information that is responsive to these performance measures.

If you apply for a grant under this competition, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. See the standards in 2 CFR 170. 105 to determine whether you are covered by 2 CFR part 170.

At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75. 118.

The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75. 720(c). Visit the Grant Application and Other Forms page for specific requirements on reporting.

The most recent competition for the FIPSE Special Projects Program occurred in FY 2025. View the FY 2025 Notice Inviting Applicants to the FIPSE Special Projects Program (84. 116J) , published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2025.

FY 2025 FIPSE – SP Program Application Booklet Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar FY 2025 FIPSE-SP Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar Recording FY 2025 FIPSE-SP Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar Slides FY 2025 FIPSE-SP Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar Transcript Frequently Asked Questions: FY 2025 FIPSE-SP Grant Competition The following entities may apply for this program: Institutions of higher education (IHEs) Other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies including state higher education agencies as defined in 20 U.S.C.

1003(22) An applicant that is a nonprofit organization may, under 34 CFR 75.

51, demonstrate its nonprofit status by providing: Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or Any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008 amended the authorized grant activities under Part A of Title V of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 (individual development grants) to include innovative and customized instruction course development; articulation agreement and student support program activities designed to facilitate student transfer from two-year to four-year institutions; activities that improve student financial and economic literacy; and activities to develop distance education technologies.

An eligible entity may submit only one (1) grant application under an area of national need as the lead applicant. An entity can be included as a partner in multiple applications. The eligible entity may apply to all four (4) areas of national need as the lead applicant but must submit a separate grant application for each area of national need.

The FY 2025 FIPSE-SP Funding Summaries and Project Abstracts for each of the four areas of national need are included below: Area of National Need #1: Advancing the Understanding of and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in Postsecondary Education Area of National Need #2: Promoting Civil Discourse on College and University Campuses Area of National Need #3: Promoting Accreditation Reform Area of National Need #4: Supporting Capacity-Building for High-Quality Short-Term Programs The Fund for Improving Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Special Projects Program provides grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) and other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies to support innovative projects concerning one or more areas of national need identified by the Secretary.

The most recent competition focused on supporting following four areas of national need: Expanding the understanding and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in education, Protecting and promoting civil discourse on college and university campuses, Promoting accreditation reform, and Supporting capacity-building for high-quality short-term programs.

Estimated available funds for the FY 2025 FIPSE Special Projects Program competition: $167,000,000 Of this amount, the U.S. Department of Education estimated the following allocations across the areas of national need and absolute priorities as follows: Advancing AI in Education (Absolute Priorities 1 and 2): $50,000,000, including $25,000,000 under Absolute Priority 1 and $25,000,000 under Absolute Priority 2.

Promoting Civil Discourse (Absolute Priority 3): $60,000,000 Accreditation Reform (Absolute Priorities 4 and 5): $7,000,000, including $3,500,000 under Absolute Priority 4 and $3,500,000 under Absolute Priority 5. Capacity-building for high-quality short-term programs (Absolute Priorities 6 and 7): $50,000,000, including $25,000,000 under Absolute Priority 6 and $25,000,000 under Absolute Priority 7. 20 U.S.C.

1138; 20 U.S.C. 1138c The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485.

The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. For the purpose of Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.

110 , the Department has established a set of performance measures for this competition: Project-Specific Performance Measures: Applicants must propose project-specific performance measures and performance targets (both as defined in this notice) consistent with the objectives of the proposed project. Applications must provide the following information as directed under 34 CFR 75.

110(b) and (c): Project-specific performance measures: How each proposed project-specific performance measure would accurately measure the performance of the project; be consistent with the program performance measures established under this notice; and be used to inform continuous improvement of the project.

Baseline (as defined in the notice) data: (i) Why each proposed baseline is valid and reliable, including an assessment of the quality data used to establish the baseline; or (ii) if the applicant has determined that there are no established baseline data for a particular performance measure, an explanation of why there is no established baseline and of how and when, during the project period, the applicant would establish a valid baseline for the performance measure.

Performance targets: Why each proposed performance target is ambitious yet achievable compared to the baseline for the performance measure and when, during the project period, the applicant would meet the performance target(s). All grantees must submit an annual performance report with information that is responsive to these performance measures.

If you apply for a grant under this competition, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. See the standards in 2 CFR 170. 105 to determine whether you are covered by 2 CFR part 170.

At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75. 118.

The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75. 720(c). Visit the Grant Application and Other Forms page for specific requirements on reporting.

Applicant Info and Eligibility The most recent competition for the FIPSE Special Projects Program occurred in FY 2025. View the FY 2025 Notice Inviting Applicants to the FIPSE Special Projects Program (84. 116J) , published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2025.

FY 2025 FIPSE – SP Program Application Booklet Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar FY 2025 FIPSE-SP Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar Recording FY 2025 FIPSE-SP Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar Slides FY 2025 FIPSE-SP Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar Transcript Frequently Asked Questions: FY 2025 FIPSE-SP Grant Competition The following entities may apply for this program: Institutions of higher education (IHEs) Other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies including state higher education agencies as defined in 20 U.S.C.

1003(22) An applicant that is a nonprofit organization may, under 34 CFR 75.

51, demonstrate its nonprofit status by providing: Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or Any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008 amended the authorized grant activities under Part A of Title V of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 (individual development grants) to include innovative and customized instruction course development; articulation agreement and student support program activities designed to facilitate student transfer from two-year to four-year institutions; activities that improve student financial and economic literacy; and activities to develop distance education technologies.

An eligible entity may submit only one (1) grant application under an area of national need as the lead applicant. An entity can be included as a partner in multiple applications. The eligible entity may apply to all four (4) areas of national need as the lead applicant but must submit a separate grant application for each area of national need.

The FY 2025 FIPSE-SP Funding Summaries and Project Abstracts for each of the four areas of national need are included below: Area of National Need #1: Advancing the Understanding of and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in Postsecondary Education Area of National Need #2: Promoting Civil Discourse on College and University Campuses Area of National Need #3: Promoting Accreditation Reform Area of National Need #4: Supporting Capacity-Building for High-Quality Short-Term Programs Grant Applicants / Grantees Higher Education Institutions Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Page Last Reviewed: August 27, 2026