The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE or Agency) established the Bachelor’s Degree Prison Education Program (BD-PEP) grant to support institutions in addressing bachelor’s level education programs. The state’s higher education strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth, calls for closing equity gaps for underserved students and , notably, incarcerated individuals are eight times less likely to complete college than the general public.

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This grant supports institutions in offering and enrolling students in post-secondary educational courses which lead to completion of a bachelor’s degree while in custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).

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Proposals should present a comprehensive plan that identifies the courses, degree programs, services (student and reentry), and systems designed for participant enrollment/progression/graduation tracking. Support and grant funding examples may include: Faculty stipends, salary, and/or fringe benefits for teaching or developing coursework delivered for individuals in custody at an IDOC facility. Staff stipends, salary, and/or fringe benefits for providing additional services in an IDOC facility for BD-PEP participating individuals or for services for former BD-PEP participants. Instructional materials purchased for use by BD-PEP participating students or faculty. Technology and/or equipment to support coursework or student services for BD-PEP courses/program. Contractual services for BD-PEP associated costs. Tuition or fees for participating BD-PEP individuals at an IDOC facility serviced by university in the term in which the enrollment occurred. Travel compensation for faculty/staff to IDOC location(s).

Education Organizations;

Illinois public and non-profit, independent four-year institutions holding accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, or other accrediting bodies, authorized by the U.S. Department of Education and are authorized to operate and grant degrees in Illinois by IBHE which are currently offering courses leading to a bachelor’s degree at an Illinois Department of Corrections facility.

Undergraduate Students

Project Grants

Education

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The application materials must be submitted via email to prisoneducationprograms@ibhe.org. Applications, with all required materials, must be received by IBHE on December 21, 2026, at 1:00 pm CST to be considered for funding.? Also see attached RFP Instruction Document

Proposals will be reviewed, scored according to the rubric in attached RFP Instruction Document, and selected by a committee convened by the Illinois Board of Higher Education staff. Institutions with the highest scores based on the rubric below will be awarded funding up to the funding available. All applicants will be notified of the panel’s recommendations via email message to each institution’s primary grant contact. Institutions scoring below 60 points on the following rubric will not be considered for funding.

Merit Based Review

The application materials must be submitted via email to prisoneducationprograms@ibhe.org. Applications, with all required materials, must be received by IBHE on December 21, 2026, at 1:00 pm CST to be considered for funding.

Approximately 30 Days

An appeal must be received by 5:00pm of the 14th day after the date that the first grant award notice has been published. The appeal must be given in writing, is deemed delivered upon receipt, and must be delivered via email to thrives@ibhe.org. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following: 1. The name and address of the appealing party; 2. Identification of the grant; and 3. A statement of reasons for the appeal.

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Support and grant funding examples may include: Faculty stipends, salary, and/or fringe benefits for teaching or developing coursework delivered for individuals in custody at an IDOC facility. Staff stipends, salary, and/or fringe benefits for providing additional services in an IDOC facility for BD-PEP participating individuals or for services for former BD-PEP participants. Instructional materials purchased for use by BD-PEP participating students or faculty. Technology and/or equipment to support coursework or student services for BD-PEP courses/program. Contractual services for BD-PEP associated costs. Tuition or fees for participating BD-PEP individuals at an IDOC facility serviced by university in the term in which the enrollment occurred. Travel compensation for faculty/staff to IDOC location(s).

Each grantee will be required to submit narrative project and expenditure reports. The reports will describe the progress of the project in carrying out the activities described in the proposal.

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FY27 Only

Institutions may apply for grants in the amount required to implement the initiatives within the term of the grant. IBHE anticipates the typical award will be approximately $40,000, depending on the proposal's scope and quality.

The Agency is seeking proposals that support institutions that offer courses leading to a bachelor’s degree to individuals in custody of the IDOC.

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11/10/2026

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FY 2027 : $250,000