Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs CFDA Number 84.103A | ED GRANTS 013120 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 013120 001

The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs (CFDA 84.103A) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education designed to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of Federal TRIO projects by investing in staff development and leadership training. The central purpose is practical and operational: to provide training for personnel who are currently employed in TRIO-funded projects, who are participating in TRIO work, or who are preparing to work in TRIO projects, with the goal of improving how these projects are run and, ultimately, how well they serve participants.

This opportunity is published as a synopsis of the official Federal Register notice, which is the controlling source for requirements and details. Applicants are expected to rely on the Federal Register application notice for the full set of instructions, including eligibility rules, pre-application and application procedures, submission logistics, performance measures, competition priorities, and program contact information. The Department also points applicants to its common instructions for discretionary grant programs (published February 13, 2019 at 84 FR 3768) for standardized guidance on how to obtain and submit applications and comply with Department-wide application requirements.

The grant is categorized as an education-focused discretionary grant, offered under Funding Opportunity Number ED GRANTS 013120 001. Eligible applicants span a wide range of public and private entities, reflecting the varied institutional landscape that hosts and supports TRIO services. Eligibility includes state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status), and other entities as allowed under the program’s additional eligibility guidance referenced in the official notice.

Key timing and scale information included in the synopsis indicates the opportunity was created on January 31, 2020, with an original closing date of March 2, 2020. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is listed as $373,799, and the Department anticipated making about 10 awards under this competition. While the synopsis does not spell out the required training topics, service models, or selection criteria, it makes clear that funded projects are expected to deliver training that directly improves the operation and management of TRIO programs by strengthening staff and leadership capacity.

In practical terms, this program supports the professional learning infrastructure behind TRIO services, focusing on training as the lever for better implementation. Organizations that apply typically need to align proposed training activities with TRIO operational needs and federal expectations, demonstrate the capacity to deliver high-quality training, and address required reporting and performance measurement obligations described in the Federal Register notice. For authoritative requirements, applicants are directed to consult the official Federal Register posting and the Department’s common discretionary grant instructions available via govinfo.gov.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs CFDA Number 84.103A" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.103.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 31, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 02, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $373,799.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for ED GRANTS 013120 001

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