Best Grants for New Nonprofits in Montana

The IBMA Bluegrass College Scholarship offers a financial award ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 for students pursuing bluegrass music or related studies at the college level. Established by the IBMA Foundation, this scholarship aims to support future leaders in the bluegrass music industry. Applicants must submit their application by June 1 for a fall semester scholarship. This initiative highlights the foundation's commitment to fostering educational opportunities within bluegrass music.

The Cameron Impact Scholarship, awarded by the Bryan Cameron Education Foundation, offers a full-tuition four-year scholarship to 15 exceptional high school students annually. This merit-based program seeks leaders who excel in academics, community service, and extracurricular activities. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.7 or higher and demonstrate a commitment to positive change. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, and books at any accredited U.S. college, with an emphasis on public service careers.

The PeDRA Research Fellowships Program offers support for one year of mentored research in pediatric dermatology, targeting post-graduate trainees and medical students. With a maximum funding of $25,000, the program aims to foster the next generation of physician scientists while addressing high-priority patient-centered research questions. PeDRA emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion in its initiatives, ensuring a comprehensive approach to research in childhood skin diseases.

The Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) invites applications for the Emerging Investigator Research Grants (EIRG) program, aimed at supporting medical students and pediatric residents with a 12-week mentored research experience in pediatric dermatology. Awardees receive funding of up to $4,000 for in-person projects and $1,500 for remote projects, plus $1,000 for travel to the PeDRA Annual Conference. This initiative promotes diversity and supports projects addressing crucial patient-centered research questions.

Founded in 2016, this program supports nonfiction filmmakers or filmmaking teams working on their first or second feature-length documentary.

In this year-long program, 9 filmmakers will receive:

• $40,000 USD in grant funding for the production of their feature-length film
• Mentorship with Chicken & Egg Films team members
• Two creative retreats focused on career building and creative development
• Travel stipend for director and producer upon acceptance to a forum or market during program year
• Tailored industry meetings and funder connections
• Peer support from their cohort

You do not need a fiscal sponsor to apply for the (Egg)celerator Lab. However, if you are selected for the Lab, you must secure a US fiscal sponsor, or be a 501(c)(3), to receive the funds. If granted, we can help advise on finding a fiscal sponsor. 

American Gastroenterological Association

The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, AGA represents members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice, and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research, and educational programs of the organization.

AGA-Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This award provides funding for three years to early-career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research.

Objective

The objective of the AGA Research Foundation Research Scholar Award (RSA) is to support early-career investigators working toward independent and productive research careers in digestive diseases by ensuring that a major proportion of their time is protected for mentored research (i.e., a minimum of 50 percent effort dedicated to the proposed project). This award will support junior faculty (not fellows) who have demonstrated exceptional promise and have some record of accomplishment in research pertaining to inflammatory bowel disease.

Review all of the benefits AGA Research Scholar Award recipients are entitled to on the award policies page.

Application Requirements

• Maintain AGA membership throughout the three-year duration of the award.

• Applicants must self-assign their proposal to one of the following categories:
  • Clinical: Research involving direct contact with human subjects or using clinical data to address problems related to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment or outcome of human diseases (e.g., clinical epidemiology). This category also includes research related to health care delivery (e.g., health services, health IT).
  • Basic/Translational: Research with a primary goal of understanding basic biology or disease mechanisms. This category can involve animal subjects, cell culture, human biospecimens or human data as resources for laboratory- or informatics-based investigation.

• Resources allocated through this award are intended to support the career development of the applicant. The applicant must allocate a minimum of 50 percent effort to the proposed project.

• Applicants are required to have a sponsor and mentor for the award; one individual may serve in the capacity of both positions. A sponsor (typically a division chief or department chair) is an individual who takes responsibility for the quality assessment of the proposed research project, the quality of the research environment within which the project will be undertaken, and the experience and expertise of the principal investigator and other key researchers involved. A mentor will supervise the principal investigator’s research activities ensuring timelines and deliverables and will work with the applicant to create a research career development plan.

• The intent of this award is to foster the scientific independence of junior investigators. Applicants whose research activities become incorporated into a grant application from a senior mentor will need to delineate clearly the scientific and experimental distinctions between their respective programs. This requirement applies both to pending applications submitted prior to review of this award and to applications submitted during the term of the RSA. It must also be clearly stated how the work submitted by the applicant is that of the applicant and not that of the senior mentor(s).

• A complete research facilities and resources form must be submitted.

• Biographical sketches for the applicant, mentor and other key personnel must be submitted.

• Applicants resubmitting a revised application from a prior cycle must include a resubmission report describing responses to reviewer feedback and other major changes since the most recent past submission.

• Upon notification of receipt of this award, the recipient must provide institutional approval from the appropriate committee(s) for use of human subjects or animals. If approval is not necessary, then the recipient must provide documentation from the appropriate regulatory committee.

• Recipients must submit scientific and financial progress reports to AGA annually and final reports 60 days after the end date of the award period. Report templates and instructions are provided to awardees at the time of acceptance. Second and third year funding are contingent upon the submission and accuracy of this documentation.

• All publications, presentations, abstracts, and patent applications arising from work funded by this program must acknowledge support of the AGA–Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

• Additional pre-award policies are available on the Research Award Policies page.

Award Overlap

• At the time of application submission, applicants may not hold, or have held, an NIH K01, K08, K23, K99, R00, R01, R21, R29, Veterans Affairs Career Development Award or any award with similar objectives from non-federal sources (e.g., the American Liver Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation).

• Applicants who have held a K12 or KL2 in the past are eligible to apply. Applicants with an active K12 or KL2 may apply in the final year of their active K12 or KL2 so long as the award will end before the Research Scholar Award term begins.

• If a applicant is granted the award and notified of a comparable award from another agency prior to the first payment of this award, then the recipient must select one of the two awards (i.e., the recipient may not retain both awards).

• If the recipient is notified that a comparable award has been granted after the first payment of this award, then the recipient may retain up to 50 percent of the remainder of his or her AGA award. AGA must be notified by the recipient via email within two weeks of receiving notification of additional funding.

The Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program offers funding up to $1,000 for Title I schools in the U.S. to enhance student engagement with parks and public lands. This initiative encourages hands-on learning experiences through outdoor activities and stewardship projects, promoting environmental education and healthy lifestyles. Eligible classrooms can apply, emphasizing student involvement in the application process. The program aims to empower students and teachers to foster a deeper connection with nature and their communities.

The Brian Lillie Scholarship at Montana State University provides financial support to Air Force ROTC cadets with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a record of leadership and community service. This scholarship varies in amount and aims to help students achieve their academic goals while alleviating financial burdens. It reflects the university's commitment to fostering student success through merit-based assistance and is part of a broader initiative to support promising students in their educational pursuits.

The Clifford D. Grim and Virginia S. Grim Educational Fund offers scholarships to deserving students from Winchester/Frederick and Clark Counties, VA. Facilitated by the Center for Scholarship Administration, Inc., the fund provides financial support for students enrolled full-time in accredited colleges. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years, contingent upon reapplication each year.

The AAOMR Annual Meeting Poster Awards support graduate students in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology by recognizing outstanding research and clinical posters. Two awards are available annually: one for research and another for clinical topics. Applicants must present their posters to judges, with winners chosen by majority vote. Each awardee receives a $1000 prize and a certificate, announced during the AAOMR Annual Session, encouraging excellence and innovation in the field.

The Lemelson Foundation Grant supports initiatives in invention education and entrepreneurship, aiming to empower young inventors and foster innovation. With over $300 million provided since its inception, the Foundation focuses on strengthening ecosystems for invention in the U.S. and developing countries. Organizations interested in aligning with their mission are encouraged to take an eligibility quiz and submit inquiries through their contact form. This commitment is crucial for driving impactful solutions to global challenges.

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo is launching a competition to promote study abroad programs for Japanese students seeking graduate education in the United States. This initiative invites proposals from American and Japanese non-profit organizations to create innovative programs aimed at increasing enrollment of Japanese students in U.S. graduate schools across various fields, enhancing cross-cultural exchange and educational opportunities.

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Fund

Help with healthcare costs for acute myeloid leukemia

This TotalAssist fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses. 

Approved medications

Patient Advocate Foundation covers all the prescription medications for each diagnosis, including generic or bioequivalent drugs, that meet any of the following criteria: FDA-approved, listed in official compendia, and/or listed in published evidence-based or clinical guidelines. See approved medication list for this condition.

Patient Advocate Foundation verifies your diagnosis and treatment plan with your provider directly. We also automatically verify the income eligibility for every applicant. 

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Fund

Help with healthcare costs for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

This TotalAssist fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses. 

Approved medications

Patient Advocate Foundation covers all the prescription medications for each diagnosis, including generic or bioequivalent drugs, that meet any of the following criteria: FDA-approved, listed in official compendia, and/or listed in published evidence-based or clinical guidelines. See Approved medication list for this condition.

Patient Advocate Foundation verifies your diagnosis and treatment plan with your provider directly. We also automatically verify the income eligibility for every applicant. 

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Hemophilia Fund

Help with healthcare costs for hemophilia

This TotalAssist fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses.

Approved medications

Patient Advocate Foundation covers all the prescription medications for each diagnosis, including generic or bioequivalent drugs, that meet any of the following criteria: FDA-approved, listed in official compendia, and/or listed in published evidence-based or clinical guidelines. See approved medication list for this condition.

Patient Advocate Foundation verifies your diagnosis and treatment plan with your provider directly. We also automatically verify the income eligibility for every applicant. 

The National Science-Health-Environment-Reporting Fellowships are intended to support early-career journalists who are pursuing—or have a strong interest in pursuing —careers reporting on science, health, or environmental issues (or all three).

The program is primarily aimed at journalists in their first decade of professional work, who are interested in boosting their ability and confidence to tackle some of the most important stories of the 21st century.

The fellowship is designed to enable fellows to maintain their regular employment while attending concentrated training opportunities across the country, many of which will lead to stories for their employer or clients. Fellowship leaders and mentors will provide support and guidance through seminars, calls and e-mail consultations.

Curriculum will include basic science, interpreting medical studies, analyzing data, explaining evidence-based decisions, understanding climate science and more.

The program hopes to provide essential on-the-job training that might otherwise take years to accumulate.

Over the course of a year, selected fellows will: 

• Participate in workshops and other events held at the annual Environmental Journalism , Health Journalism  and Science Writers conferences. 
• Learn from custom webinars scheduled throughout the year for additional opportunities to gain skills, connections and resources to inform their reporting. 
• Be matched with a professional mentor.
• Receive prepaid memberships in the National Association of Science Writers, SEJ and AHCJ.
• Participate in peer-to-peer networking platforms. 
• Receive project support stipends if they are an independent journalist.

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Hemophilia Health Equity Fund

Help with healthcare costs for hemophilia (health equity fund)

This TotalAssist fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses.

Health Equity Funds offer help to eligible patients living in areas identified as having increased social and financial needs, as well as higher rates of chronic conditions. Eligibility is determined in part by home address zip code. 

Approved medications

Patient Advocate Foundation covers all the prescription medications for each diagnosis, including generic or bioequivalent drugs, that meet any of the following criteria: FDA-approved, listed in official compendia, and/or listed in published evidence-based or clinical guidelines. See approved medication list for this condition.

Patient Advocate Foundation verifies your diagnosis and treatment plan with your provider directly. We also automatically verify the income eligibility for every applicant. 

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Hepatitis C (HepC) Fund

Help with healthcare costs for hepatitis C

This TotalAssist fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses.

Approved medications

Patient Advocate Foundation covers all the prescription medications for each diagnosis, including generic or bioequivalent drugs, that meet any of the following criteria: FDA-approved, listed in official compendia, and/or listed in published evidence-based or clinical guidelines. See approved medication list for this condition.

Patient Advocate Foundation verifies your diagnosis and treatment plan with your provider directly. We also automatically verify the income eligibility for every applicant. 

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Hepatitis C (HepC) Health Equity Fund

Help with healthcare costs for hepatitis C (health equity)

This TotalAssist fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses.

Health Equity Funds offer help to eligible patients living in areas identified as having increased social and financial needs, as well as higher rates of chronic conditions. Eligibility is determined in part by home address zip code. 

Approved medications

Patient Advocate Foundation covers all the prescription medications for each diagnosis, including generic or bioequivalent drugs, that meet any of the following criteria: FDA-approved, listed in official compendia, and/or listed in published evidence-based or clinical guidelines. See approved medication list for this condition.

Patient Advocate Foundation verifies your diagnosis and treatment plan with your provider directly. We also automatically verify the income eligibility for every applicant. 

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type III (MPS III) Fund

Help with healthcare costs for mucopolysaccharidosis type III

This TotalAssist fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses. 

Approved medications

Patient Advocate Foundation covers all the prescription medications for each diagnosis, including generic or bioequivalent drugs, that meet any of the following criteria: FDA-approved, listed in official compendia, and/or listed in published evidence-based or clinical guidelines. See approved medication list for this condition.

Patient Advocate Foundation verifies your diagnosis and treatment plan with your provider directly. We also automatically verify the income eligibility for every applicant. 

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII (MPS VII) Fund

Help with healthcare costs for mucopolysaccharidosis type VII

This TotalAssist Health Equity Fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses.

Approved medications

Patient Advocate Foundation covers all the prescription medications for each diagnosis, including generic or bioequivalent drugs, that meet any of the following criteria: FDA-approved, listed in official compendia, and/or listed in published evidence-based or clinical guidelines. See approved medication list for this condition.

Patient Advocate Foundation verifies your diagnosis and treatment plan with your provider directly. We also automatically verify the income eligibility for every applicant. 

The Corey C. Griffin Scholarship, offered by the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, awards two $5,000 scholarships to high school seniors. This initiative honors Corey C. Griffin’s legacy by recognizing students who embody his 'never quit' attitude and commitment to community service. Eligible applicants must attend specific high schools and have applied to a post-secondary institution. Note that children of Yellowstone Club employees at the Director level are not eligible for this merit-based scholarship.

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII (MPS VII) Health Equity Fund

Help with healthcare costs for mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (health equity)

This TotalAssist Health Equity Fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses.

Health Equity Funds offer help to eligible patients living in areas identified as having increased social and financial needs, as well as higher rates of chronic conditions. Eligibility is determined in part by home address zip code.

Approved medications

Patient Advocate Foundation covers all the prescription medications for each diagnosis, including generic or bioequivalent drugs, that meet any of the following criteria: FDA-approved, listed in official compendia, and/or listed in published evidence-based or clinical guidelines. See approved medication list for this condition.

Patient Advocate Foundation verifies your diagnosis and treatment plan with your provider directly. We also automatically verify the income eligibility for every applicant. 

The Digitizing Hidden Collections: Amplifying Unheard Voices Program, administered by CLIR, aims to digitize rare and unique content from diverse communities in the US and Canada. Launched in 2021, this initiative focuses on materials that highlight the histories of underrepresented groups, including people of color and marginalized communities. The program promotes public knowledge, broad representation, authentic partnerships, sustainable infrastructures, and community-centered access, providing funding between $50,000 and $300,000 to eligible organizations.

The Pets in the Classroom Grant Program provides financial support to educators in the US and Canada, enabling them to incorporate small animals into their classrooms. This initiative aims to enhance students' educational and personal development through direct interaction with pets. The program, established by the Pet Care Trust, invites applications from teachers, librarians, and other school staff who support student learning, fostering a nurturing environment for young learners.

The AGD Foundation Grant Program supports nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada that provide free oral cancer screenings and education, particularly for underserved communities. Established in 1972, the AGD Foundation aims to enhance public oral health and raise awareness about oral/oropharyngeal cancer. By promoting early detection and education, the foundation seeks to improve survival rates and empower communities. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations demonstrating a commitment to community health.

About Panorama GlobalPanorama Global is a social impact nonprofit that empowers changemakers through radical collaboration. We help our partners navigate the winding path from vision to impact. 

What We Do

• Collaboratives - Hosting and supporting collaborative efforts to achieve common goals.
• Fiscal Sponsorship - Financial and administrative support providing lean operating models to jumpstart projects.
• Funds - Philanthropic vehicles to manage and distribute funds that fuel global initiatives.

About  Innovative Postsecondary Models Fund

The Innovative Postsecondary Models (IPM) Fund supports innovative postsecondary education models that are rethinking how education is designed, delivered, financed, and assessed for learners in the United States.

The Fund is interested in innovations that benefit all learners, but especially learners whom the data show encounter the greatest obstacles to opportunity. The goal of this Fund is not only to provide funding to innovative models, but also to learn from selected grantees on how to reduce barriers to postsecondary access and increase student success outcomes to help inform the role philanthropy can play in supporting higher education innovation.

What We're Funding

We are seeking innovative postsecondary education models that demonstrate, or have the potential to demonstrate, meaningful improvements in how learners access, experience, and benefit from postsecondary education. We seek approaches with the potential to scale, influence the field, and inform how postsecondary education evolves nationally.

To help illustrate the types of innovations we hope to support, we have organized this opportunity around four broad themes. These themes reflect key dimensions of postsecondary innovation that have the potential to improve learner outcomes and inform broader systems change.

All four themes are grounded in a shared principle: student-centeredness. Truly innovative postsecondary models must be designed around learner needs, especially the needs of learners whom the data show face the greatest barriers to access and success in traditional postsecondary education.

Applicants are not expected to address all four themes, but should demonstrate strong alignment with at least one of the following:

Reimagining Instructional Design, Delivery, Assessment, and Student Support

• What success might look like:
  • Innovative instructional models improve student persistence, completion, and post-completion success, particularly for historically underserved learners, while maintaining or reducing costs.
  • Learners benefit from personalized, adaptive instruction and competency-based assessments that enable them to demonstrate and document skills in ways that are recognized by employers and other educational institutions.

Advancing Affordability and Financial Sustainability

• What success might look like:
  • Learners spend less overall, face reduced financial risk, and access high-quality education pathways that lead to credentials supporting economic mobility.
  • Successful models demonstrate affordability not only through reducing costs for learners, but also by maintaining or reducing the cost of delivering high-quality education through sustainable, efficient approaches.

Career and Workforce Alignment

• What success might look like:
  • Work and learning are more demonstrably connected and flexible, with evidence that skills are more directly tied to credentials and real career opportunities.

Removing Barriers for Underserved Learners

• What success might look like:
  • More learners from backgrounds and communities who the data show have faced the greatest barriers to accessing postsecondary education are able to access, complete, and benefit from high-quality credentials.