Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Higher Education Programs (HEP): Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN), Assistance Listing Number 84.200A | ED GRANTS 042424 003

GAANN (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need) Program FAQs

What is the GAANN program (Assistance Listing Number 84.200A)?

GAANN (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need) is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), within the Higher Education Programs (HEP) umbrella. Its purpose is to strengthen graduate education in fields the federal government designates as areas of national need by supporting graduate fellowships administered through eligible academic departments at colleges and universities.

What is the main goal of GAANN?

The core aim is to strengthen graduate education in areas of national need by funding structured fellowship support for high-achieving graduate students who demonstrate financial need and who intend to pursue the highest degree available in their program (typically doctoral study when offered).

Does GAANN award money directly to students?

No. GAANN funds are awarded to institutions (specifically, eligible academic departments or programs within an institution of higher education). Students do not receive GAANN awards directly from the federal government; fellowship support is provided through the funded department/program.

Can individual students apply directly for GAANN funding?

No. Students themselves cannot apply directly for GAANN funding. The eligible applicant is the academic department or program within an institution of higher education.

Who is eligible to apply for a GAANN grant?

Eligible applicants are academic departments or programs within an institution of higher education (IHE) that offer a graduate course of study leading to a graduate degree in an area of national need, and that have been in existence for at least four years at the time the application is submitted.

Are both public and private institutions eligible?

Yes. Both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education can apply, as long as the applying academic department/program meets the eligibility requirements described in the official notice.

What does it mean that the department or program must have existed for at least four years?

It means the academic department or program submitting the application must have been in existence for a minimum of four years as of the date the application is submitted.

What kinds of academic programs can be supported?

The applying department or program must offer a graduate course of study leading to a graduate degree in an area of national need. The opportunity summary does not list the specific fields; applicants are expected to consult the official Federal Register notice for full details.

What is meant by an "area of national need"?

In this opportunity, areas of national need are fields identified by the federal government as priorities for strengthening graduate education. The summary states that the program targets such areas, but directs applicants to the official Federal Register notice for the authoritative details.

Can a department apply in partnership with another institution?

Yes. An eligible department may apply on its own or in partnership with one or more eligible nondegree-granting institutions, but only when there is a formal, written arrangement supporting doctoral dissertation research.

What is required for a partnership with a nondegree-granting institution?

The arrangement must be formal and in writing, and it must support doctoral dissertation research. In addition, the degree-granting institution must agree to accept students from the nondegree-granting institution as doctoral candidates with the intent to award them doctorates in an area of national need.

Are schools or departments of divinity eligible for GAANN?

No. The notice explicitly states that schools or departments of divinity are not eligible to receive GAANN grants.

What type of federal funding opportunity is this?

This opportunity is a discretionary grant (not a contract) administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education.

What is the award ceiling for this GAANN opportunity?

The listed award ceiling is $750,000.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of approximately 60 awards.

When was this funding opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted with a creation date of April 24, 2024.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application closing date listed is June 24, 2024.

Is the synopsis enough to prepare an application?

No. The synopsis is described as a summary of the official Federal Register notice. Applicants are expected to rely on the Federal Register application notice for the full set of requirements and instructions.

Where can applicants find the official requirements, forms, and instructions?

Applicants should use the Federal Register application notice as the authoritative source for program requirements and instructions, including eligibility conditions, priorities (if any), application components, selection criteria, performance measures, required forms and assurances, and program contact information.

What application procedures must applicants follow?

Applicants are directed to follow government-wide and Department of Education application procedures, including the Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 7, 2022), along with the specific directions in the Federal Register notice.

What is the role of the Revised Common Instructions (December 7, 2022) for this grant?

The Department of Education indicates applicants should follow the Revised Common Instructions for its discretionary grant programs. In practical terms, applicants should use these instructions along with the Federal Register notice to understand what must be submitted, formatting expectations, submission requirements, and related compliance expectations.

What kinds of requirements might be included in the Federal Register notice?

According to the summary, the Federal Register notice contains the complete set of requirements and instructions, such as detailed eligibility conditions, program priorities (if any), application components, selection criteria, performance measures, required forms and assurances, and contact information.

Who administers GAANN within the federal government?

The program is offered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), under the Higher Education Programs (HEP) umbrella.

What kinds of students are intended to be supported through GAANN-funded fellowships?

The program is intended to support high-achieving graduate students who demonstrate financial need and who intend to pursue the highest degree available in their program (typically doctoral study when offered). Fellowships are provided through the funded academic department or program, not directly by the federal government.

Does GAANN require the funded students to be pursuing doctoral study?

The summary indicates GAANN supports students intending to pursue the highest degree available in their program, typically doctoral study when offered. The precise requirements and definitions should be confirmed in the official Federal Register notice.

What should an institution do to ensure it is compliant when applying?

The summary emphasizes using the Federal Register notice as the authoritative source and following Department of Education procedures, including the Revised Common Instructions (December 7, 2022). Institutions should plan their submission based on those official instructions for what to submit, how to format it, where/how to submit it, and what compliance, reporting, and evaluation expectations apply if funded.