The New England Prison Education Collaborative (NEPEC), with support from Ascendium Education Group, will release the Request for Proposals for the inaugural round of Accelerator Grants on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at this web address.
Five Accelerator Grants will be awarded to eligible higher education institutions located across the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont to increase Pell-eligible prison education programming in their state.
Grant recipients will develop or expand programs, build partnerships, increase access to Pell funding, and support reentry efforts for students transitioning back to campus and home. Applicants are asked to submit proposals for $100,000 of funding for use over 12 months. Grant applications will be due on Friday, June 6, 2025. More details will be provided in the RFP.
*Check back on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, for the Request for Proposals and a registration link for an informational webinar for interested institutions*
About NEPEC
The New England Prison Education Collaborative (NEPEC), under The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), was established in 2024 with a five-year grant from Ascendium Education Group to implement the 2023 New England Commission on the Future of Higher Education in Prison’s recommendations and prepare for the reinstatement of federal Pell Grants for incarcerated learners. NEPEC aims to accelerate and support efforts to ensure all incarcerated individuals in New England have access to high-quality, workforce-aligned, equitable postsecondary education. Stay updated about NEPEC’s work here and follow them on LinkedIn.
About NEBHE
Founded in 1955 by six visionary New England governors who recognized that the region’s future prosperity depended on higher education, the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) has since worked to promote greater educational opportunities across New England. Today, NEBHE serves the residents of New England and over 250 colleges and universities, advancing equitable postsecondary outcomes through convenings, research, and programs for students, institutional leaders, and policymakers. Stay updated on NEBHE’s work online here and on LinkedIn.
About Ascendium Education Group
Ascendium Education Group® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization driven by the belief that learning after high school gives people the power to build better futures. Our national philanthropy focuses on increasing opportunities for learners from low-income backgrounds to achieve upward mobility through postsecondary education and workforce training. We partner with organizations whose objectives align with our core strategies to expand opportunity, support learner success, and connect and align systems. Our grantees include postsecondary education and workforce training providers, intermediaries, researchers, and media organizations from across the U.S. To learn more, visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org.