Planning for a Center for Prison Education Research and Leadership
Exploration
University of Utah|$750,000|7/2023 - 12/2024
This grant supports the University of Utah in planning the design and launch of a research center focused on postsecondary education in prisons. The proposed center will serve as a national hub for defining critical evidence gaps and advancing rigorous research to inform the design, evaluation and improvement of postsecondary education programs for incarcerated learners.
Strengthening the Postsecondary Education in Prison Field Through High-Impact Technical Assistance
Exploration
American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences|$460,600|10/2023 - 9/2024
This grant supports American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences in building infrastructure to assess, improve, and diffuse knowledge about the quality of technical assistance within the field of postsecondary education in prison.
Preparing for Pell Grant Eligibility for Incarcerated Learners
Scaling
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators|$551,125|4/2023 - 9/2024
This grant supports the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in providing technical support to financial aid offices preparing for the return of Pell grant eligibility for incarcerated learners.
Increasing Access to Educational Materials in Prisons: Facilitating the Approvals Process
Exploration
Ithaka Harbors Inc|$950,000|10/2020 - 9/2024
This grant supports Ithaka Harbors in developing and making accessible a robust digital educational resource for incarcerated learners, as well as undertaking a major research initiative that will inform institutional change across the postsecondary education in prison field. The goal of the project is to leverage technology to increase learner success, while improving instruction and curricula.
Catalyzing Technical Assistance for Postsecondary Education in Prison
Exploration
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign|$300,000|9/2023 - 8/2024
This grant supports the Education Justice Project at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in refining and distributing resources that help incarcerated learners transition from prison classrooms to free-world campuses and meaningful employment.
Ready for Pell
Scaling
Jobs for the Future Inc|$4,984,528|9/2021 - 7/2024
This grant supports Jobs for the Future Inc (JFF) in leading Ascendium’s Ready for Pell initiative, including identifying and selecting high-capacity postsecondary education providers; surfacing and disseminating best practices; and providing technical assistance to enable institutions to implement best practices. JFF will also manage the third-party evaluation and share lessons from the initiative to inform efforts to scale access to Pell in prison settings.
Establishing and Solidifying a Field Convener
Exploration
Alliance for Higher Education in Prison|$475,000|7/2023 - 7/2024
This grant supports the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison in fostering collaboration among critical stakeholders in the postsecondary education in prison field. The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison will solidify its role as a national convener and resource hub for the field.
Designing a Postsecondary Education in Prison RFP Initiative
Exploration
American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences|$363,800|11/2023 - 6/2024
This grant supports American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences in researching and designing an initiative focused on supporting experienced postsecondary education in prison programs in sharing their knowledge and resources with other programs to accelerate their meeting new federal regulations for receiving Pell Grants.
Optimizing Delivery Systems for Higher Education in Prison
Exploration
Iowa Department of Education|$1,100,000|7/2021 - 6/2024
This grant supports the Iowa Department of Education, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Corrections, Iowa Central Community College, Des Moines Area Community College and the University of Iowa, in expanding postsecondary education options across Iowa that are workforce-relevant and support varied academic and career pathways.
Organizational Capacity Building Project
Exploration
Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network|$240,000|7/2023 - 6/2024
This grant supports the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network in building the executive, organizational and strategic capacity needed to excel as an impactful network of leaders who completed college during incarceration.