Education Department Opens Doors for Talent Search Funding Applications
Published Date: 3/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Talent Search Program is looking for groups to help students from tough backgrounds finish high school and go to college. If you want to apply for funding, get your proposals in by May 1, 2026. Awards can be up to $1 million for most, but state-level or tribal groups can get up to $10 million to serve at least 500 students each year.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Grant Award Size Limits
Most applicants may receive up to $1,000,000 per year in Talent Search funding. A single governor-designated state-level applicant or an Indian tribe receiving competitive-priority points may receive up to $10,000,000 per year.
Minimum Participants and Per-Student Cap
Every funded Talent Search project must serve at least 500 participants each year and must have a per-participant cost of no more than $500. These rules set both a minimum program size and a maximum spending amount per student.
Prior Experience Scoring Advantage
Applicants that conducted a Talent Search project during the budget periods 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 will receive prior experience points in the competition scoring. Documented prior experience will be used in awarding grants.
Multiple Applications Allowed
An applicant may submit more than one application if each application describes a project that will serve a different target area or different target schools. This lets organizations apply for multiple, separate awards.
Application Submission Deadline
Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 1, 2026. Missing this deadline would make an applicant ineligible to compete in the FY 2026 competition.
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