ED-GRANT-26-024: Educational Opportunity Centers Program

Sponsor: DOL, DOE
Internal Deadline: 05/01/2026
Institutional Submission Limit: varies
Program Website

The EOC program supports counseling and assistance for low-income, first-generation and other priority adults (age 19 and older) who seek to enter or return to a postsecondary education. In the FY 2026 competition, the Administration is incentivizing EOC projects that deliver personalized guidance on admissions, financial aid, and economic literacy while expanding the menu of accessible pathways to mobility, including Registered Apprenticeships as well as high-quality short-term postsecondary programs aligned with the newly established Workforce Pell Grant Program. Aligned with the Secretary of Education’s priorities on Expanding Education Choice and Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness, this EOC competition seeks proposals that go beyond traditional college enrollment to open doors to a full spectrum of high-quality postsecondary options. This includes robust, new or enhanced services focused on Registered Apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences that combine paid, on-the-job training with academic credit and industry recognized credentials in high demand fields such as skilled trades, healthcare, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and AI related occupations. Grant applications must detail ways in which participants will receive individuals career exploration and advising that highlights apprenticeship opportunities alongside college programs; hands-on assistance with apprenticeship or college applications; workshops on comparing the long-term costs and benefits of pathways (including earnings potential vs. student debt); tutoring; and seamless coordination and integration with State workforce agencies, talent marketplaces, and credential registries, including learning and employment records (LERs)

 

An institution may submit more than one application for an EOC Program grant so long as each application describes a project that serves a different target area. The term “target area” is defined as a geographic area served by a project

Submission Process

Limited submissions MUST be coordinated with the Office of the Vice President for Research.

If interested in applying for this opportunity, please combine the following items into a single PDF and email to resdev@mailbox.sc.edu by 5pm on the INTERNAL DEADLINE above:

• Cover page with grant program name & number (if applicable) to which you are applying, your project title, PI (name, department/unit, & email), and list of co-PIs/key collaborators (name & department/unit)
• a two-page project abstract addressing key components/criteria for this specific grant program
• a 2-3 page CV/biosketch for the PI (SCiENcv preferred)