The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $169 million in new grants through the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). The funding aims to support responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, promote civil discourse on college and university campuses, drive reforms in higher education accreditation, and develop high-quality short-term programs. Additionally, a supplemental award was made for the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success program.
The department reported receiving a record number of applications after announcing the competition on November 10. This response indicates significant interest among institutions in advancing innovation, civility, student achievement, and accountability.
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education Dr. David Barker said, “The Trump Administration is reenvisioning the future of higher education – ensuring that programs are centered on student success, workforce readiness, and are adaptive to new technology and innovations. From helping grantees foster diverse viewpoints on campus to supporting colleges and universities build innovative new programs and cut red tape, we are confident that these funds will help institutions build on this Administration's success and support students throughout their academic journeys.”
Projects funded by FIPSE include integrating AI tools into academic programs such as nursing and information technology at community colleges; developing courses and initiatives to promote free expression and civil discourse at universities; supporting emerging accrediting organizations as they seek recognition from the department; assisting universities with changing accreditors; and creating Workforce Pell Grant-aligned training programs in sectors like advanced manufacturing and automation.
FIPSE operates as a discretionary grant initiative designed to address urgent national needs in postsecondary education by fostering innovation. The awarded funds will help institutions scale solutions that improve educational outcomes, enhance institutional capacity, and align educational offerings with workforce requirements.
In November, the department set four priorities for its fiscal year 2025 competition: expanding AI use to enhance teaching and learning; promoting civil discourse through exposure to diverse viewpoints; encouraging accreditation reform by reducing barriers to switching accreditors or establishing new agencies; and building capacity for short-term academic programs eligible for Workforce Pell Grants.
