Tennessee Believes Grant

The Tennessee Believes Grant, administered by the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), aims to expand and enhance inclusive higher education opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) throughout the state. Since its inception in 2021, the program has represented a strategic investment by the State of Tennessee in fostering equitable access to postsecondary education for individuals with I/DD. For Fiscal Year 2027, a total of $1 million has been appropriated by Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly to sustain and grow this initiative. Approximately $500,000 is available for new awards under this funding cycle, while the remainder will support ongoing multi-year grantees. The Tennessee Believes program focuses on the development and expansion of inclusive higher education programs that enable meaningful participation in academic coursework, student life, and community engagement. This includes funding to support activities such as strategic planning, institutional partnership development, and implementation of new or expanded inclusive services. Grants may be awarded for up to three years, with standard annual funding requests capped at $130,000. However, higher requests may be submitted with appropriate justification and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Funding is allocated competitively, and applicants must demonstrate both programmatic readiness and alignment with the grant’s objectives. Eligible applicants include both public and private institutions of higher education operating in Tennessee. Additionally, institutions currently receiving Tennessee Believes funds—with contracts expiring on June 30, 2026—are eligible to reapply. Priority will be given to community colleges, vocational institutions, and technical schools, though the program encourages all qualified inclusive higher education providers to submit proposals. Notably, there is no cost-sharing or match requirement for this opportunity. The grant application process involves a digital submission of materials via email to the designated program contact. All applications must be submitted in PDF format to Angella Broussard-Chrisman at [email protected] no later than 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on February 13, 2026. An application overview webinar is scheduled for January 21, 2026, to provide additional guidance. Award decisions will be based on a numerical scoring rubric encompassing six categories: Program Overview, Institutional Experience, Plan of Operation, Inclusion and Community, Identification of Need, and Budget/Financial Accountability. Evaluations will be conducted by third-party reviewers with no conflicts of interest. Notification and clarification processes will be completed by March 20, 2026, and grant contracts are expected to commence on July 1, 2026. Funding decisions will be made in descending order of score until the total available funds are exhausted. The Department reserves the right to make partial or conditional awards and adjust budgets to ensure alignment with grant goals. All awarded institutions must maintain clear records of expenditures and outcomes and will be expected to demonstrate sustainability plans beyond the life of the grant term. This funding round provides an opportunity for institutions to bolster inclusive practices and extend educational access to a historically underserved student population across the state.

Align application with nationally recognized inclusive higher education standards such as the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) designation; emphasize strong outreach and sustainability plans.