TIAA Institute Grant is sponsored by TIAA Institute. The TIAA Institute partners with the Wharton School's Boettner Center/Pension Research Council at the University of Pennsylvania to solicit research proposals focused on retirement and behavioral finance.

Sponsored by TIAA, the Innovation Awards reward emerging innovations and solutions that advance the success of first-generation students. 2026 TIAA Innovation Award Winners! FirstGen Forward is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 TIAA Innovation Awards!

Finger Lakes Community College San Francisco State University University of Central Arkansas Launched by FirstGen Forward in 2024 and sponsored by TIAA, the Innovation Award recognizes and rewards emerging innovations and solutions that advance the success of first-generation students. 2025 TIAA Innovation Award Winners!

Atlanta Metropolitan State College CUNY Hostos Community College Foothill-De Anza Community College District Application Opens: January 12 Reviewer Application Opens: January 12 Virtual Information Session: January 28 Application Closes: February 20 Reviewer Application Closes: February 20 Review Period: February 24 - March 6 Applicant Notification: Late-April Public Announcement: Early-May The TIAA Innovation Award supports new or existing programs, services, or initiatives that implement creative approaches to enhancing campus-wide success for first-generation students.

Recipients must agree to author an award brief detailing their efforts, including the establishment of learning outcomes, success metrics, and initial results of their programs, services, or initiatives. The award briefs will be compiled into a summary and published on the FirstGen Forward website.

Additionally, award recipients will be encouraged to present and elevate their work at high-profile conferences supported by FirstGen Forward. Award recipients receive up to $10,000 in unrestricted funds . Awardees must apply the funds toward the intended program, service, or initiative outlined in the award proposal.

Institutions receiving an Innovation Award must submit a completed W-9 form to FirstGen Forward and: Provide a detailed description of the program, service, or initiative that supports first-generation student success. Provide a detailed budget outlining the use of financial resources, inclusive of the intended purpose of the award, and if applicable additional funding.

Submit post-award items, including: An award brief detailing what they intended to accomplish, consisting of 500-700 words; and Presentation slides that can be shared via the FirstGen Forward website, consisting of 5-10 slides. A templated presentation with instructions will be provided to awardees.

Leverage institutional marketing and communication efforts to capture video recordings and help promote the receipt of the Innovation Award. FirstGen Forward staff will confirm due dates for the award brief items with recipients upon acceptance of award funds. The Innovation Award consists of two pathway options: Scalable or Creative.

The two award pathways are defined below: Scalable is defined as the capacity to expand and adapt programs, services, or initiatives to support a larger number of first-generation students across the campus without compromising quality or effectiveness.

This involves designing solutions that can be efficiently scaled up to meet increasing demand, ensuring that the benefits of innovative approaches to enhancing first-generation student success can be extended to a broader audience. Scalability ensures that as the program grows, it continues to provide meaningful support and positive outcomes for all first-generation students.

Creative is defined as the ability to generate original and innovative ideas that enhance campus-wide success for first-generation students. This involves thinking outside the box to develop unique programs, services, or initiatives that address first-generation students’ specific needs and challenges.

Creativity ensures that solutions are not only effective but, also engaging and inspiring, fostering a dynamic and supportive campus environment that encourages academic and personal growth. This award is only for accredited two- and four-year institutions of higher education, and institutions applying must be able to report their first-generation undergraduate and/or graduate student representation along with other helpful data.

Institutions that are currently under a Request for Proposal (RFP) with TIAA are not eligible for the award. RFP means their institution is accepting proposals for their retirement provider. ERISA plans may self-elect to not accept the award, but that is their decision.

Please review this comprehensive glossary of terms ahead of completing the application. This glossary provides clear definitions of the terms used in the proposal application. All applicants are encouraged to review the proposal award rubric as they work on their submissions.

The review committee will closely focus on the criteria outlined in this rubric when evaluating proposals, so understanding these guidelines is crucial for a successful submission. Frequently Asked Questions How do I know if my institution is eligible for the Innovation Award? Accredited 2- and 4-year institutions are eligible.

Institutions that are part of a system or identify as satellite campuses may apply for the award if they have a unique IPEDS. Can one institution submit multiple applications? Institutions are welcome to submit multiple proposals for the various initiatives involving first-generation students.

However, only one award per institution will be granted. While you can explore multiple options and submit several applications, only one application can be selected for an award. Does the budget need to include indirect costs?

This is at the discretion of the institution. This award is unrestricted, and it is up to the institution to determine how the budget will be built based on institution parameters related to direct and indirect costs. Is there a specific timeline by which the funds must be applied?

Acknowledging the different award pathways (creative v. scalable), institutions may benefit from some flexibility. The funds should be applied as soon as possible and, in some instances, will likely be applied in the following fiscal year (FY 25-26).

As part of the award brief, will the content be restricted in any way? The award brief serves as a summary of all award recipients’ efforts along with highlighting achieved outcomes. Each recipient is encouraged to share their portion of the award brief across their institution and communication channels, as well as at professional conferences.

As part of the award, are recipients required to submit a financial report? Recipients are not required to submit a financial report, though they must agree to utilize the award exactly as indicated in the budget they submit alongside the application. If funds remain, they must be applied to future first-generation student-specific initiatives.

When does the W-9 form need to be submitted? W-9s are only required if the institution is awarded and accepts the Innovation Award. Institutions will learn about the status of their application in March.

Will this award be offered annually? Currently, this award is only being offered this year. We will provide an update if and when the award will be offered in the future.

This Innovation Award was made possible by the generous sponsorship from TIAA. If you have questions about the application process, please email FirstGen Forward at info@firstgenforward. org .