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MSI FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Lumina Foundation's Minority Serving Institutions Models of Success Program

  • Why is Lumina Foundation interested in MSIs?

    The overarching goal of Lumina Foundation is to raise the proportion of the U.S. population from the current 39 percent who earn college degrees to 60 percent by the year 2025. To that end, the percentage of people of color in the United States is projected to increase from 31 percent to 40 percent by 2020 and to 50 percent by the year 2015. Given these growth figures, a focus on educational equity is needed to excel both here and abroad.

    For more than 100 years, Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) have changed the lives of millions of students for the better by providing access to a college education. More often than not, the students served by MSIs, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities, are individuals who typically face the most significant barriers to higher education.

    Indeed, MSIs educate more than 2.3 million students, or 13 percent of all enrolled, with the majority being students of color. MSIs also serve a disproportionate number of low-income students: Ninety-eight percent of African Americans and Native Americans who attend HBCUs or TCUs qualify for federal, need-based aid. Moreover, almost half of all students who enroll in MSIs are the first in their families to attend college.

    The ability of MSIs to create college access and maximize success for the most underserved and underrepresented student populations offers valuable lessons not only for all higher education institutions but also for the nation as a whole.

  • What are the eligibility requirements to submit a proposal for the Minority Serving Institutions Models of Success Program?

    National non-profit organizations, associations, colleges and universities, think-tanks and consortia of MSIs are eligible to participate in the Minority Serving Institutions Models of Success Program. Colleges and universities that elect to submit an application must be recognized as members of the following organizations:

    • Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
    • National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO)
    • The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)
    • The American Indian College Fund (AICF)
    • Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
    • United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

    Collaborative proposals that involve two or more higher education institutions and/or organizations with expertise in two or more targeted sectors (HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs) also are encouraged.

  • What will make a successful proposal?

    Lumina Foundation is looking for proposals that clearly state the project's commitment to increase the number of students who attain high-quality degrees and credentials. The proposal also should outline the tracking mechanism that will be used to convey results.

    Additional components Lumina views as integral to a successful application for the Minority Serving Institutions—Models of Success Program will include the following:

    • The project's overall effectiveness to improve the capacity of MSIs to collect, analyze and use data to inform decisions that promote student success.
    • The likelihood the project will serve as a "collective voice" for policy advocacy on behalf of MSIs.
    • The strength of the project to promote policy and practice to improve developmental education.
    • The potential of the project to increase transparency and effectiveness of MSIs to improve student learning outcomes.
    • The project's capacity to enhance existing campus efforts to increase the postsecondary attainment of traditionally underserved students, especially men of color.

    Finally, successful proposals for the Models of Success Program must demonstrate how Lumina's funds will be supplemented by a commitment of other institutional resources and how the project will continue after Lumina funding.

  • Can a proposal contain individual scholarship requests or institutional scholarship components?

    Lumina's grant making does not focus on the singular needs of individuals or individual postsecondary institutions. Rather, we fund research or programs that will assist a broad spectrum of students and institutions.

  • Are there special attachments that should be included in a proposal?

    A list of required supporting materials, a budget form and the proposal application are in your proposal packet. To receive an electronic version of this information, contact Tina Gridiron Smith at tsmith.luminafoundation.org.

    Also, when completing the proposal's budget for your project, be sure to include travel funds to allow a three- to five-person team to attend an Indianapolis-based Lumina-hosted MSI Models of Success meeting in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

  • What is the size and scope of the program's award?

    Proposals that are accepted will receive a maximum of $500,000 over three years. Depending on the number of proposals submitted, up to 10 consortia projects may be funded. Please note, however, that this is a competitive grant process. Therefore, it is possible Lumina will not be able to fund all proposal requests.

  • How should proposals be submitted?

    Proposals may be submitted in writing to:

    MSI Models of Success Program
    Lumina Foundation for Education
    P.O. Box 1806
    Indianapolis, IN 46206-1806

    Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged, and should be sent to

    newinquiry@luminafoundation.org. Please be sure to include language in the subject line of your e-mail that designates the proposal is part of the "MSI Models of Success Program."

    Please make sure that all proposal materials including required attachments are submitted together under one cover sheet. Partial applications will not be accepted.

All potential applicants are invited to participate in the Models of Success Web Conference scheduled for April 15, 2009 3:30—5pm EST. Please mark your calendar to participate on this call to learn more about this grant opportunity.

  • What is the deadline for submission?

    Proposals must be completed and submitted either in writing or via e-mail to Lumina by June 8, 2009. Award recipients will be notified on or about Aug. 31, 2009. Projects that are accepted may commence at the time of notification.

  • Whom do I contact for more information?

    For questions about the "Minority Serving Institutions Models of Success Program," the application process or to receive an electronic copy of proposal materials, contact Tina Gridiron Smith, senior program officer, Lumina Foundation for Education at 317-951-5344 or tsmith@luminafoundation.org.

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