The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) offers the Barrier Removal – Growing Institutional Capacity grant as part of its Sixty by 30 Student Success Grant suite. This initiative aims to address systemic and institutional challenges that hinder student success, particularly for those facing poverty-related or basic needs barriers. MiLEAP, as a statewide agency, is focused on strengthening postsecondary attainment by ensuring institutions are equipped to support student persistence and completion.
The purpose of this grant is to provide funding to strengthen institutional systems and infrastructure that help eliminate non-academic barriers for students. Eligible activities may include designing and implementing systems to better identify student needs, improving interdepartmental communication, expanding capacity for resource connection, and building sustainable support networks that last beyond the life of the grant. Applicants are encouraged to focus on creating long-term, data-driven improvements that reinforce a culture of support throughout the institution.
This opportunity is open to community colleges, tribal colleges, public colleges and universities, and nonprofit organizations that partner with a college or university. Funding awards range from $100,000 to $400,000 and can span 1 to 3 years in duration. Applicants are instructed to submit through the EGrAMS Portal; paper forms are for planning purposes only and will not be accepted. The final application deadline is June 20, with a prereview deadline of May 16. Submissions should be completed through the portal at least two weeks in advance of the final deadline.
Evaluation of proposals will be based on several key criteria. Successful applications will demonstrate sound design principles and utilize evidence and data to inform institutional improvement. Additionally, they must include clear strategies for building or strengthening community partnerships, as well as fostering cross-silo collaboration across departments and staff roles. Sustainability is also emphasized—proposals must include a plan for how institutional capacity will be maintained or expanded after the grant concludes.
To support applicants, MiLEAP offers an informational webinar hosted by the Office of Sixty by 30. Questions can also be directed to the agency via their official communication channels. This grant opportunity is expected to recur, with future cycles likely following an annual pattern aligned with state fiscal planning.
Center proposals around evidence-driven system design and long-term institutional improvement; emphasize cross-departmental and community collaboration.
