PA CHEP Subgrants Available for Higher Education Initiatives in Pennsylvania

ThePennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education in Prison (PA CHEP) is offering subgrants of up to $30,000 to support the development and expansion of initiatives that enhance access to higher education for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals in Pennsylvania. These grants aim to strengthen the infrastructure for higher education in prison and create pathways to postsecondary opportunities across the state.

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Who Can Apply?

Accredited community colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions operating or seeking to operate programs related to higher education in prison in Pennsylvania are eligible to apply. Funding is available for:

• Developing and implementing new accredited programs.
• Expanding existing programs to reach more students.
• Supporting accreditation efforts for currently non-credit programs.
• Enhancing reentry pathways connected to higher education.

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Funding Priorities

PA CHEP seeks to support programs that:

• Expand access to higher education in underserved regions, including western Pennsylvania.
• Increase educational opportunities for incarcerated women and other underrepresented populations.
• Pilot innovative models for higher education that promote long-term sustainability and employment pathways upon reentry.
• Foster collaborations between higher education institutions and correctional facilities to ensure program effectiveness and continuity.

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Application Process

Interested institutions must submit a proposal, not exceeding three pages, detailing their program goals, implementation plan, budget, and evaluation strategy. Proposals will be evaluated based on alignment with PA CHEP’s mission, feasibility, innovation, sustainability, and potential impact.

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Key Dates

• Proposal Deadline: April 1, 2025, by 5:00 PM EST
• Award Notification: May 15, 2025
• Funding Disbursement: By the end of June 2025

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Learn More & Apply

For full details on the application process and funding criteria, visit www.pachep.org/subgrants. Questions can be submitted through the website or emailed to alex.maco@villanova.edu.

This initiative is supported by a grant from the Mellon Foundation and reflects PA CHEP’s commitment to expanding equitable, high-quality higher education opportunities in Pennsylvania.

 

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