DisclaimerProgram Office: Institutional Service
CFDA Number: 84.382A
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Also Known As: PBI Program, PBIU Program
Program Description
The purpose of the Predominantly Black Institutions Competitive Grant Program is to support Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) to establish or strengthen programs in the following areas:
- Science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM)
- Health education
- Internationalization or globalization
- Teacher preparation; or
- Improving educational outcomes of African-American males
Types of Projects
Five-year projects that establish or strengthen programs at predominantly Black institutions that are designed to increase the institution's capacity to prepare students for instruction in the above noted fields.
Program Map of Participating Institutions -- This Google map shows the eligible institutions that have applied for and have been awarded discretionary grants under this section by Institutional Service (IS), U.S. Department of Education. Grants were awarded in FYs 2007 and 2008 for a period of one, two, or three years.
Who May Apply: Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) that meet certain eligibility requirements
IHEs must meet both basic and program-specific eligibility requirements. All IHEs seeking funding under the PBI program must apply for Designation as an Eligible Institution for Title III and Title V Programs.
Refer to the Tips and Assistance section on the Eligibility page to find more information, the latest webinar schedule, and/or presentations regarding eligibility.
Additional eligibility requirements include:
- Have an enrollment of needy students as defined by Title III, Part F, Section 371 of the HEA.
- Have an average educational and general expenditure which is low, per full-time equivalent undergraduate student in comparison with the average educational and general expenditure per full-time equivalent undergraduate student of institutions of higher education that offer similar instruction, except that the Secretary may apply the waiver requirements described in Section 392(b) to this subparagraph in the same manner as the Secretary applies the waiver requirements to Section 312(b)(1)(B);
- Have an enrollment of undergraduate students—
- that is at least 40 percent Black American students;
- that is at least 1,000 undergraduate students;
- of which not less than 50 percent of the undergraduate students enrolled at the institution are low-income individuals or first-generation college students (as that term is defined in Section 402A(g)); and
- of which not less than 50 percent of the undergraduate students are enrolled in an educational program leading to a bachelor's or associate's degree that the institution is licensed to award by the State in which the institution is located;
- Is legally authorized to provide, and provides within the State, an educational program within the State, an educational program for which the institution of higher education awards a bachelor's degree, or in the case of a junior or community college, an associate's degree;
- Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered, or is, according to such an agency or association making reasonable progress toward accreditation; and
- Is not receiving assistance under Part B of Title III.
Lists of Eligible Institutions by Fiscal Year
There are two application processes for this program -- one for eligibility and one for grant funding.
Application for Eligibility
You must be designated an eligible institution before applying for funding under this program. The latest application to request designation as an eligible institution and to request a waiver of the non-federal cost share requirement is available. Please note the closing date(s) and refer to the Federal Register Notice.
Information for Grant Funding
Timeline: FY 2021 Program Competition
Deadline for transmitting applications: June 28, 2021
Federal Register Notice
- Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 2021 | PDF
Current Application
All applicants are required to submit an application online through Grants.gov. Grants.gov is a single access point for over 1,000 grant programs offered by federal and other grant-making agencies.
Tips and Assistance: FY 2021 Predominantly Black Institutions Program Competition .
The Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar: June 9 , 2021 - 1:00pm - 2:30pm (EST)
Please send an email to Ashley.Hillary@ed.gov or Kelly.Harris@ed.gov for a link to the webinar.
Application Contact
Ashley Hillary and Kelly Harris
E-mail: Ashley.Hillary@ed.gov or Kelly.Harris@ed.gov
Mailing Address:
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
Higher Education Programs, Institutional Services
PBI Competitive Grants Program
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
Institutional Service Home | Discretionary Grant Applications
FY 2024
- Funded Projects - Noncompeting Continuation PDF (16K)
FY 2023
- Funded Projects - Noncompeting Continuation MS Word (15K)
FY 2022
- Funded Projects - Noncompeting Continuation MS Word (15K)
FY 2021
FY 2020
- Funded Projects - Noncompeting Continuation MS Word (16K)
FY 2019
- Funded Projects - Noncompeting Continuation MS Word (16K)
FY 2018
- Funded Projects - Noncompeting Continuation MS Word (16K)
FY 2017
- Funded Projects MS Word (46K)
FY 2016
FY 2015
- Funded Projects MS Word (44K)
FY 2014
- Funded Projects MS Word (44K)
FY 2013
- Funded Projects MS Word (44K)
FY 2012
- Funded Projects MS Word (44K)
FY 2011
FT 2010
No grants awarded.
FY 2009
FY 2008
FY 2024
Number of awards: 22
Average award: $572,522.09
Total funding: $12,595,486
Total appropriation: $14,145,000
FY 2023
Number of awards: 22
Average award: $576,012.95
Total funding: $12,672,285
Total appropriation: $14,145,000
FY 2022
Number of awards: 22
Average award: $526,087.42
Total funding: $12,626,098.00
Total appropriation: $14,145,000
FY 2021
Number of new awards: 22
Average award: $571,137.27
Total funding: $12,565,020
Total appropriation: $15,003,349
FY 2020
Number of NCC awards: 24
Average award: $575,944.25
Total funding: $13,822,662.00
Total appropriation: $14,070,000
FY 2019
Number of NCC awards: 24
Average award: $575,944.25
Total funding: $13,822,662.00
Total appropriation: $14,010,000
FY 2018
Number of NCC awards: 24
Total funding: $13,822,662.00
Total appropriation: $13,498,076
FY 2017
Number of NCC awards: 24
Total funding: $13,955,674.00
Total appropriation: $14,129,812.40
FY 2016
Number of NCC awards: 23
Total funding: $13,406,849
Total appropriation: $27,840,000
FY 2015
Number of new awards: 23
Total funding: $13,711,713
Total appropriation: $27,840,000
FY 2014
Appropriation: $14,235,000
FY 2013
Appropriation: $15,000,000
FY 2012
Appropriation: $15,000,000
FY 2011
Appropriation: $15,000,000
FY 2010
Appropriation: $15,000,000
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Predominantly Black Institutions, Title III, Part F, Section 371 (20 USC 1067q)
- The Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) (HEOA) was enacted on August 14, 2008, and reauthorizes the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).
Regulations
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Recipients of multi-year discretionary awards are required to submit an Annual Performance Report (APR) annually; the collection number is OMB 1840-0766. The annual report provides data on the status of the funded project that corresponds to the scope and objectives established in the approved application and any approved amendments. Under EDGAR §75.118, the report must provide the most current performance and financial information (including cost-share data, if applicable). ED program staff will analyze each report to ensure that the grantee has made substantial progress toward reaching the objectives included in the grantee's approved application.
Annual Performance Reports are typically due 90 days after the performance period ends; however, grantees will be notified by their ED program officer if the submission deadline changes.
Note: If you are a project director and have responsibility for completing the annual report for your institution, please be sure you are designated on the official grant award notification and your e-mail and telephone number are listed correctly in the G5 database.
FINAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
All recipients, in accordance with EDGAR §75.590, are required to submit a final performance report. ED Program Staff will review the final performance report and determine whether the grantee achieved the scope and objectives of the grant. The program staff will also determine if all applicable administrative actions and financial obligations have been completed by grantee.
Final Performance Reports are typically due 90 days after the performance period ends (September 30th); however, grantees will be notified by their ED program officer if the submission deadline changes.
OPE Programs
- Title III Part A, Strengthening Institutions Program
- Title V, Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program
- Title III Part E, Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program
- Predominately Black Institutions (Formula Grants)
- Master's Degree Programs at Predominately Black Institutions
- Master's Degree Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Federal TRIO Programs
- GEAR UP
- Child Care Access Means Parents In School Program
- International and Foreign Language Education Service
Organizations
- National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO); contact: 202-552-3300
- College Fund/UNCF; contact (800) 331-2244 or (202) 737-8623
- Historically Black College and University Capital Finance Program Designated Bonding Authority
Other Resources
Contacts
Division Director: Vicki Robinson, Ed.D., 202-453-7907
Program Lead: Ashley Hillary, MCRP, (202) 453-7880
Program Co-Lead: Kelly Harris, 202-453-7346
| PROGRAM OFFICER | DIRECT NUMBER | ASSIGNED STATES |
| Kelly Harris, M.Ed. | (202) 453-7346 | AL, AR, GA |
| Ashley Hillary, MCRP | (202) 453-7880 | IL, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TN, TX |
Mailing Address:
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
Higher Education Programs, Institutional Service
Predominantly Black Institutions Program - Competitive Grants
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Mail Stop: LBJ-HEP-2C206
Washington, DC 20202
 | Select a link below to jump to the relevant page section. |
- Where can I get general guidance and resource material about this program and the grantmaking process?
- What changes am I able to make to my project and/or budget without prior ED approval?
- When I have to request project and/or budget changes that require prior approval from ED, how should I submit those changes? How does ED decide to approve or disapprove my request?
- I have unspent and unobligated funds from a previous fiscal year. Can I carry them over into the current budget period and use them on an activity?
- What is a Legislatively Allowable Activity (LAA)?
- What are the guidelines for drawing down funds for upcoming costs?
- Must our institution conduct an audit of our project every year?
- What is the matching funds requirement for endowments? When must the matching funds be raised?
- What kinds of records do I need to keep?
- Whom do I contact if I have a problem with the G5 system?
- Where can I find the most up to date copy of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)?
- Where can I find the most recent edition of EDGAR?
- Where can I find form-fillable editions of standard ED Grant Application and Reporting Forms?
1. Where can I get general guidance and resource material about this program and the grantmaking process?
The questions and answers presented here are provided as a resource to our grantees, but are not intended to replace communication with your Department of Education (ED) program officer. Please continue to contact your program officer with specific questions about your grant awards.
Project directors and/or other grant personnel who are new to the grantmaking process should review the Grantmaking at ED publication (http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/about/grantmaking/index.html), which is a non-technical summary of ED's discretionary grants process (application, review, award, administration, grant closeout, and audit) and the laws and regulations that govern the process.
In addition, online grants management training and resources for project directors are available at: http://e-grants.ed.gov/training/GMT0101000.htm.
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2. What changes am I able to make to my project and/or budget without prior ED approval?
Grantees are allowed a certain degree of flexibility to make post-award changes and budget revisions without prior approval. Section 74 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) generally permits grantees to undertake the following administrative actions without seeking approval from their program office. Usually the program office requires the grantee to provide a notification of the change, including supporting justification:
- Obligate funds for up to 90 days before the start date of the grant's performance period (EDGAR 74.25(e)(1))
- Extend the project period one time at the end of the grant for a period of up to 12 months (EDGAR 74.25(e)(2))
- Carry funds over from one budget period to the next (EDGAR 74.25(e)(3))
- Transfer funds among budget line items (EDGAR 74.25(f))
If the change you wish to make is beyond these allowable administrative actions, you must contact ED for prior approval. Grantees are urged to review the sections in EDGAR relating to the type of change they wish to make.
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3. When I have to request project and/or budget changes that require prior approval from ED, how should I submit those changes? How does ED decide to approve or disapprove my request?
Proposed project and/or budget changes must be submitted in writing to your ED Program Officer. The proposal should include the following documents:
- Cover Letter providing overview of proposed changes and why they are necessary to the success of the project
- Revised Activity Narrative (if applicable)
- Revised Budget Summary (if applicable)
- Revised Individual Activity Budget Form (if applicable)
- Revised Activity Objectives and Anticipated Results (if applicable)
- Revised Implementation Strategy/Timetable Form (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume of New Project Director and/or Activity Director (if applicable)
Upon receipt of the written request, the program staff may contact grantees directly for clarification or additional information as needed.
All submitted requests for programmatic and/or budget changes are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The decision to approve or disapprove a request is based on requirements imposed by applicable Federal statutes, including the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), program legislation and regulations, EDGAR, and OMB circulars. All resulting costs and activities related to approved changes must be allowable. No official may authorize any administrative actions that conflict with any applicable Federal statute, program legislation or regulation, EDGAR, grant conditions; or permit changes that would alter the scope or objectives of a competitive discretionary grant.
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4. I have unspent and unobligated funds from a previous fiscal year. Can I carry them over into the current budget period and use them on an activity?
Section 74.25(e)(3) of EDGAR states that, "(e) Except for requirements listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(4) of this section, the Secretary may waive cost-related and administrative prior written approvals required by this part and OMB Circulars A-21 and A-122. These waivers may authorize recipients to do any one or more of the following: (3) Carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent funding years." Based on this regulation, you may carry-over funds however they can only be spent on approved activities listed in your application or other legislatively allowable activities.
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5. What is a Legislatively Allowable Activity (LAA)?
The legislatively allowable activities the PBI programs are listed in the Section 318 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) as amended, as well as OMB Circular A-21. If you are uncertain whether proposed activity is legislatively allowable or not you should always contact your assigned Program Officer to inquire. They will issue a written response with a determination.
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6. What are the guidelines for drawing down funds for upcoming costs?
You are urged to read 74.22 of EDGAR to learn more about Federal requirements related to grant payments. For any cash that you draw from your Department of Education grant account, you must:
- Draw down only as much cash as is necessary to meet the immediate needs of the grant project
- Keep to the minimum the time between drawing down the funds and paying them out for grant activities
- Return to the Government the interest earned on grant funds deposited in interest-bearing bank accounts (except for a small amount of interest earned each year that your entity is allowed to keep to reimburse itself for administrative expenses).
In order to meet these requirements, you are urged to:
- Take into account the need to coordinate the timing of drawdowns with prior internal clearances (e.g., by boards, directors, or other officials) when projecting immediate cash needs so that funds drawndown from ED do not stay in a bank account for extended periods of time while waiting for approval
- Monitor the fiscal activity (drawdowns and payments) under your grant on a continuous basis
- Plan carefully for cash flow in your grant project during the budget period and review project cash requirements before each drawdown
- Pay out grant funds for project activities as soon as it is practical to do so after receiving cash from the Department
Keep in mind that the Department monitors cash drawdown activity for all grants on a weekly basis. Department staff will contact grantees who appear to have drawn down excessive amounts of cash under one or more grants during the fiscal quarter to discuss the particular situation. Grantees that fail to follow Federal cash management requirements may be designated as high-risk, which may affect future funding.
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7. Must our institution conduct an audit of our project every year?
Grantees that spend $500,000 or more in combined Federal funds (regardless of agency) during fiscal years ending after December 31, 2003, or $300,000 or more in Federal funds during fiscal years ended on December 31, 2003 or earlier, are required to have an annual institutional audit. Generally, these audits, referred to as "A-133 audits" or "single audits," review expenditures of Federal funds across an entire organization instead of specific costs of individual grants. These audits must be conducted in accordance with "Standards for the Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities and Functions," published by the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Independent Non-Federal auditors selected by the grantee may perform these audits. Grantees that fail to meet the A-133 audit requirement may be designated as high-risk, which may affect future funding.
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8. What is the matching funds requirement for endowments? When must the matching funds be raised?
According to the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) as amended, grant funds used for endowments must be matched in equal or greater amounts with funds from non-Federal sources. In addition, no more than 20 percent of an annual grant award can be used to establish or increase an endowment fund at the institution.
If a grantee institution decides to use any of its grant funds for endowment purposes, it must match those grant funds immediately with non-Federal funds when it places those funds into its endowment fund.
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9. What kinds of records do I need to keep?
You must keep records regarding the use of grant funds, compliance with program requirements, and the date the project used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the project in meeting the grant's objectives. Keep your copy of the approved application. The financial records must show the amount and source of all funds spent on the grant, including any matching funds that were promised in the approved application. The records must document how all federal and matching funds were used. You must also keep records that document other types of information you provided the Department in your annual or final reports, such as records of program participants and the source data used to report on performance measures.
If you purchase equipment with grant funds, you must maintain inventory records until the equipment is no longer needed to meet the project objectives, and then you should request disposition instructions from the Department. Keep copies of all correspondence with the Department regarding the project; GEPA (20 U.S.C. 31) and EDGAR regulations (34 CFR 75.730-732) provide specific requirements for record retention. You may need these records to demonstrate to program monitors or auditors that all expenditures and activities you conducted with the grant were allowable and accurately reported.
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10. Whom do I contact if I have a problem with the G5 system?
Help with G5 is available through e-mail or by calling the G5 hotline.
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, EST
Toll Free: (888) 336-8930
TTY: (866) 697-2696
Local: (202) 401-6238
E-mail: edcaps.user@ed.gov
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11. Where can I find the most up to date copy of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)?
Feel free to review the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Hard copies of the CFR are often available in the reference section of major libraries. For information about purchasing the CFR, go to the GPO online bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov or call the Superintendent of Documents at (202) 512-1800 or toll free at (866) 512-1800.
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12. Where can I find the most recent edition of EDGAR?
A PDF version of EDGAR is available for download and printing at http://www.ed.gov/policy/fund/reg/edgarReg/edgar.html.
The most recent regulations that comprise EDGAR can also be found in the Code of Federal Regulations. Please note that EDGAR comprises only Parts 74-99.
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13. Where can I find form-fillable editions of standard ED Grant Application and Reporting Forms?
Electronic versions of ED Grant Application and other Forms are available at http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.