Overview
The Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant Program, administered by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), provides funding of up to a total of $250,000 over a two-year period to support high-impact initiatives that align with the strategic priorities of individual MHEC member states. This program encourages collaboration within states—among institutions, systems, and sectors—to:
INCUBATE: Develop and test innovative solutions that improve educational efficiency and outcomes.
LAUNCH: Implement coordinated, collaborative efforts to address pressing state-level challenges.
SCALE: Expand successful programs or policies statewide to increase impact and sustainability.
MHEC seeks to support solutions that support its Strategic Plan and that are responsive to state needs in areas such as affordability, credential attainment, student success, and workforce alignment.
Eligibility
Lead applicants must be from a public or nonprofit higher education institution, system office, or state agency in a MHEC member state. Proposals must demonstrate intra-state collaboration and include at least one partner organization from within the same state (e.g., another institution, workforce board, K-12 district, or nonprofit entity). Grants should be distributed through a fiscal agent such as a higher education system office.
Rolling Submission Process
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning August 15, 2025.
- Earliest Submission Date: August 15, 2025
- Proposal Review: Applications will be reviewed monthly
- Award Notifications: Within 45 days of review
- Final Report Due: Within 60 days of project completion
Review Criteria
All proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Alignment with MHEC’s strategic plan
- Support of commissioners
- Alignment with identified strategic priorities of the state
- Strength, scope, and intentionality of intra-state collaboration
- Clarity, feasibility, and rigor of the project design
- Potential for scalability, sustainability, or long-term impact
Reporting and Knowledge Sharing Requirements
Grantees will be required to:
- Provide a written update on progress and outcomes two times a year, in April and September, to support MHEC sharing updates with its Commission at its annual Executive Committee and Commission meetings.
- Submit a final narrative and financial report
- Share tools, models, or resources created (under an open license, where appropriate) to benefit other MHEC states.
For questions on this process or application, please contact Carrie Wandler, Senior Director of Policy Initiatives (carriew@mhec.org).