The Talent Search Program (TS) identifies qualified individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have potential for postsecondary education and encourages them to complete secondary school and pursue education beyond the high school level. Administered by the Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, the program also publicizes the availability of student financial assistance, facilitates applications for such aid, and encourages individuals who have not completed secondary or postsecondary programs to enter, reenter, and complete those programs.

Overview

The Talent Search Program is a federal grant competition (Assistance Listing 84.044, TRIO Talent Search) that supports projects designed to help qualified individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds successfully navigate the path to postsecondary education. The program seeks to increase the number of these individuals who complete secondary school and enroll in postsecondary programs. Projects also work to ensure that students and their families are informed about available student financial aid and receive help with the application process.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: $175,152,359
• Expected Number of Awards: 175
• Award Minimum: $250,000
• Award Maximum: $10,000,000
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and state institutions of higher education
• Independent school districts
• State governments
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Other Native American tribal organizations
• Nonprofits (non-higher education) with 501(c)(3) status
• Other eligible entities as described in the Announcement Notification and Instructions

Prospective applicants should review the full Announcement Notification and Instructions for detailed eligibility information.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The opportunity number is ED-GRANT-26-022. Prospective applicants and interested parties are encouraged to use the Grants.gov subscription option to register for future updates related to this announcement.

Note: The FY 2026 Talent Search competition is being reopened for eligible applicants in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands due to a major disaster declaration caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku (DR-4910-MP). To qualify as an affected applicant, the applicant must be located in the applicable federally declared major disaster area (the applicant organization mailing address must be in the affected area), and appropriate supporting documentation must be provided if requested. For consortia or groups of eligible parties submitting a single application, the lead applicant must be an affected applicant to qualify for a reopening or extension. Applications from applicants not affected by the disaster declaration will not be accepted as part of this limited reopening.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: July 9, 2026 (electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time)
• Revised Deadline for Affected Applicants (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands): As specified in the reopening notice; the revised deadline for Intergovernmental Review is September 7, 2026
• Posted Date: March 17, 2026
• Archive Date: August 8, 2026

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: ReShone Moore and Ben Witthoefft

Email: reshone.moore@ed.gov; ben.witthoefft@ed.gov

Technical Support (Grants.gov): support@grants.gov, 1-800-518-4726