Innovation Investment Awards

Innovation Investment Awards

The Michigan Center for Adult College Success will be offering Innovation Investment Awards to help postsecondary institutions implement best practices or pilot new ideas to better serve adult students in a way that increases completion rates.

The Center will begin accepting proposals in May from Michigan postsecondary institutions seeking to implement innovative solutions for improving persistence and completion rates among adult learners over the age of 25. The Center is making $5 million available in Innovation Investment Awards through a competitive award process. Grants of up to $1 million will be awarded to Michigan colleges and universities that show they are ready to launch effective, lasting improvements to systems that help students 25 and older obtain postsecondary credentials.

The goal of this page is to provide enough information to empower eligible applicants to engage in serious planning efforts for whatever opportunities are right for their campus. 

Grant Application Template and Resources

Before completing the online application, please review the application template (PDF file) and the SLFRF Resource Guide for full details on the grant requirements. Applicants are encouraged to develop a draft application that can be transferred to the online portal for final submission. The ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL will be open May 1-July 15, 2024.

Innovation Investment Award Application (PDF)SLFRF Resource Guide (PDF)

Online Grant Application Portal

The online application can be accessed HERE. Applicants are encouraged to develop a draft application that can be transferred to the online portal for final submission. The ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL will be open May 1-July 15, 2024.

Innovation Investment Award Online Application

Application Assistance

Staff Contact

Staff at The Center are available to answer questions throughout the application process. 

Michelle Burke

Director of Postsecondary Programs and Partnerships

m.burke@talentfirst.net

Virtual Office Hours

Office Hours will be offered weekly from April 30-July 11, 2024. 

Tuesdays, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. 

Tuesday Registration Link

Thursdays, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday Registration Link

Pre-review of Draft Applications

Pre-review of draft applications is available from The Center staff through June 7, 2024. Email a pdf file of the draft application to TheCenter@talentfirst.net. Allow five business days for review and response.

Application Scoring Rubric

The application scoring rubric can be accessed here: Application Scoring Rubric

Grant Information Webinar

This webinar for potential IIA applicants was held on April 23. The recording and slide deck is now available.

Recording link 

IIA Webinar Slide Deck

 

Important Dates

  • March 18, 2024

    Application Form Available

  • April 23, 2024

    Informational Webinar for Applicants

  • May 1, 2024

    Application Portal Opens

  • June 7, 2024

    Last date to submit drafts via email for pre-review.

  • July 15, 2024

    Submission deadline through Application Portal (11:59 pm ET)

  • August 8, 2024

    Innovation Award Recipients Announced

  • September 1, 2024

    Funded Projects Begin

  • August 31, 2026

    Project Funds Close

FAQ

As we receive common questions from applicants, we will post the Q&A here. To submit a question, email us at thecenter@talentfirst.net.

Funding Opportunities Through the Office of Sixty by 30

The Center has coordinated the Innovation Investment Awards to complement the $45 million available through the Office of Sixty by 30 Student Success Grants. The Innovation Investment Awards and the Student Success Grants are available to support efforts to achieve Michigan’s goal of building a viable workforce by the year 2030, with 60% of working adults in Michigan holding a postsecondary credential that will lead to higher-wage job opportunities.

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning about the Innovation Investment Awards as more details on the program become available, please sign up below or email us at TheCenter@talentfirst.net