Applications for New Awards; Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education has released the fiscal year 2025 funding opportunity for the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program, listed under Assistance Listing Number 84.031S. This program is designed to expand educational opportunities and improve academic attainment for Hispanic students. It also aims to enhance academic quality, program offerings, and institutional stability in colleges and universities with significant Hispanic student populations. The DHSI Program supports eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) that qualify as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in their efforts to expand services and academic support. Institutions applying must demonstrate a minimum of 25 percent Hispanic full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment and meet federal definitions related to enrollment of needy students and lower average educational expenditures. Applicants must also be accredited or progressing toward accreditation and must legally provide bachelor’s degree programs or be recognized as junior/community colleges. Grants will be issued as discretionary awards, specifically as five-year Individual Development Grants. In fiscal year 2025, approximately $66,944,786 is available, with an estimated 116 awards anticipated. Award amounts will range from $500,000 to $600,000 annually, and no single award will exceed $600,000 for a 12-month period. The application period opens on June 3, 2025, and closes on July 3, 2025, with intergovernmental review required by October 1, 2025. Competitive preference priorities include applications from institutions in rural settings and those that are new potential grantees without prior DHSI funding in the past five years. There is also an invitational priority for proposals aimed at expanding access to distance education, competency-based education, apprenticeships, and other workforce-integrated models leading to high-demand credentials. Applicants must submit their applications through Grants.gov and follow the Department’s standard discretionary grant submission instructions. Recommended application narratives should be limited to 55 pages and formatted according to specified guidelines. While a cost match is not generally required, it becomes mandatory if the institution allocates funds for endowment development. Evaluation criteria for awards are comprehensive and include analysis of the institution’s development plan, project design, activity objectives, implementation strategy, management plan, qualifications of personnel, evaluation plan, and budget justification. Applications can earn up to 120 points, including competitive preference points. Additional priority may be given to proposals involving community partnerships aimed at reducing dropout rates and improving educational outcomes for Hispanic students. Contact information for application support is provided, with inquiries directed to Margarita Melendez at the Department of Education via email at Margarita.Melendez@ed.gov or phone at (202) 987–0408. All applicants are encouraged, though not required, to submit a notice of intent to apply.

Strongly encouraged to submit a notice of intent. Use evidence-based strategies. Follow formatting guidelines strictly. Include a logic model and evidence citations.