Grant Opportunities

First-Generation Student Success Grant

  • West Virginia public two-and four-year colleges and universities, or research corporations thereof, may apply for First Generation Student Success Grants to sponsor initiatives that can be categorized by one or more of the following:
    • Implementation of extraordinary campus-based initiatives, events, services, or supports designed to address the unique needs of First-Generation college students and bridge gaps in cultural capital, thereby  promoting positive educational outcomes for First-Generation college students;
    • Implementation of events, initiatives, or services committed to supporting recruitment and/or retention of First-Generation students on college campuses within West Virginia; 
    • Development or enhancement of research, evaluation, assessment and data collection strategies and practices for the purpose of improving institutional First-Generation initiatives and/or increasing institutional buy-in.
  • Application deadline for FY25 has passed. Check back in Spring 2025 for details regarding the FY26 application process.

Division of Health Sciences Grants

Campus Impact Grant: Professional Development Stipend Application

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission was awarded Congressionally Directed Spending Funds administered through a Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grant to grow West Virginia’s Behavioral Health Workforce Education Initiative. The state of West Virginia awarded the Commission matching funds for this grant to support the growth of the West Virginia workforce through supporting student mental health at West Virginia’s public 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities. This opportunity is made available through those matching funds. 

This grant award is to fund campus counseling centers for professional development for counseling center staff. Grant funds will assist higher education behavioral health professionals at public institutions across the state to provide funding for professional development for increased learning, knowledge, and skill-building for campus higher education professionals.  Doing so can better prepare counseling center directors, higher education mental health professionals and West Virginia’s behavioral health workforce in having more knowledge, training, licensure, and certifications for mental health services on West Virginia’s higher education campuses.   Funding under this program can be used to develop/expand existing professional development, certifications, licensure, and attendance at conferences and continuing education opportunities. Travel, and short-term lodging and meals associated with conference/professional development attendance can also be included. All funds must be expended by the deadline of October 31, 2025.

View details on the RFA

Application deadline: September 30, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.

***All applications must be accessed and submitted through the Health Sciences Grants Portal.***