The DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) is soliciting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Office of Youth Programs (OYP) College Tour Grant. This program aims to offer high school students aged 14-18 from the District of Columbia an opportunity to explore post-secondary education options. Participants will visit a minimum of five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) during their spring break, gaining exposure to academic programs, campus life, and admissions processes. The initiative is designed to empower underserved students by fostering confidence, college readiness, and motivation to pursue higher education.
DOES will award up to $120,000 through at least one grant. The grant period runs from February 14, 2025, to September 30, 2025, with a possibility of extension for up to four additional years, contingent on performance and available funding. The program requires applicants to provide transportation, lodging, meals, and educational materials for 40 participants, as well as pre-trip orientation and evaluation components. Proposals must include a detailed plan for conducting campus visits, adhering to a college readiness curriculum, and implementing participant evaluations to measure knowledge gained and readiness for higher education.
Eligible applicants include public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations authorized to do business with the DC government. Organizations must have a history of providing educational or youth services, particularly in preparing students for college admissions. Additional requirements include compliance with tax and insurance obligations, completion of prior DOES-funded projects (if applicable), and demonstrated capacity to manage the program. Applications must outline a staffing plan with adequate supervision and qualifications, maintaining a maximum 1:8 adult-to-student ratio. Staff working directly with students must pass background checks and have relevant certifications such as CPR and mandated reporter training.
Applications are due by 3:00 PM on January 31, 2025, and must be submitted electronically through the Grants Management Portal. A virtual pre-application conference will take place on January 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM, offering guidance on the application process. Submissions must include a project narrative, budget and budget justification, past performance documentation, and organizational credentials. Reporting requirements include regular updates on attendance, program progress, expenditures, and post-tour evaluations.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel and scored on organizational qualifications, participant engagement strategies, program quality, past performance, and budget justification. Scoring criteria emphasize alignment with the grant’s objectives and the applicant’s ability to deliver impactful outcomes for the targeted youth population. Final award decisions will be communicated following an internal review, and awardees must comply with all post-award monitoring and reporting requirements.
