Hunger-Free Campus Activities Grant

The Hunger-Free Campus Activities Grant is a short-cycle competitive funding opportunity offered by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) through its Office of Higher Education. It is designed to assist Michigan’s public, Tribal, and independent institutions of higher education in implementing sustainable, campus-based solutions that address student food insecurity and broader basic needs challenges. This grant builds on a pilot program that was successfully implemented in fiscal year 2025 with two community colleges and two state universities. Encouraged by the outcomes of the pilot, the state has allocated a one-time appropriation for FY2026 to expand this initiative across more institutions, aiming to mitigate food insecurity as a barrier to student retention, completion, and success. The program responds directly to findings from “Barriers to Bridges,” a report developed in collaboration with The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, which revealed that 20% of Michigan undergraduates experienced food insecurity in the past 30 days, while 44% experienced housing insecurity. Given these stark realities, the grant emphasizes a multifaceted approach: projects may include developing hunger task forces, establishing or expanding campus food pantries, offering food vouchers or meal cards, creating technology systems to facilitate food access, or running awareness campaigns. Collaborative efforts with local and state organizations are strongly encouraged, ensuring that institutional strategies are well-aligned with broader community resources. Grant awards are capped at $100,000, with a firm grant term ending on September 30, 2026. The program allows for diverse expenditures, such as equipment and supplies for food pantries, staff time, outreach initiatives, data collection, and student incentives. All expenses must directly align with the proposed activities and be considered reasonable and allowable under the grant guidelines. Final requests for reimbursement must be submitted to MiLEAP by October 5, 2026, and monthly financial status reports are required during the grant period to ensure transparency and ongoing monitoring of expenditures. To apply, eligible institutions must complete the official Hunger-Free Campus Activities Grant Application document and submit it via email along with a W-9 form. Applications must be received by Friday, February 13, 2026, no later than 3:00 p.m. EST. The review process will assess applications based on how proposed activities expand existing services, their sustainability, the strength of institutional and external partnerships, and the anticipated impact on student retention and graduation rates. MiLEAP will host an informational webinar on January 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST to assist potential applicants. Questions related to eligibility or the application process can be directed to [email protected]. Institutions are encouraged to design proposals that are not only impactful but scalable and enduring, ensuring the continuation of hunger-free campus efforts beyond the grant period. Grant recipients will also be expected to submit a final report by November 1, 2026. This report should detail how grant funds were utilized, describe the outcomes achieved, reflect on lessons learned, and propose next steps for continued progress in addressing student food insecurity. This accountability mechanism supports continuous improvement and statewide knowledge sharing among higher education institutions working toward shared goals of equity and student success.

Sustainability, student retention impact, and community partnerships are critical evaluation criteria.