Lumina to provide $3.3M in grants to reimagine college admissions

For years, students and families have shouldered most of the responsibility when it comes to navigating college admissions. But over the past decade, states, systems, and institutions have started asking a different question: What if the process worked better for students from the start?

That shift has opened the door to bold new ideas. Redesigning admissions means moving away from “the way we’ve always done it” and toward a student-centered approach. Think: automated, proactive, and streamlined systems that make it easier for more students to step into higher education.

We’re excited to support that transformation. Nearly $3.3 million in grants are now available through our 2026–2027 cycle. If you’re ready to build the admissions process of the future, we invite you to apply for one of three new funding opportunities.

 

Who can apply?

The following entities are eligible to apply to the Great Admissions Redesign:

  • State agencies
  • State systems of higher education that include public, nonprofit colleges and/or universities
  • A group of three or more public or private, nonprofit colleges and/or universities (this may include a community college district serving three or more institutions)
Q&A Webinar

Eligibility and Requirements

Tune in to this Q&A webinar for details about eligibility criteria and application requirements.

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Three types of funding opportunities

Exploration grants

Exploration grants will be awarded to states, systems, and institutions seeking to better understand the potential of redesigned admissions systems through information gathering and/or coalition building. Recipients will receive $50,000 to $100,000 each.

Planning grants

Planning grants will be awarded to states, systems, and institutions in the early stages of strategic planning to create a new admissions redesign program or add a new dimension to an existing admissions redesign effort. Recipients will receive $50,000 to $100,000 each.

Implementation grants

Implementation grants will provide resources for leading states, systems, and institutions to augment and scale redesigned admissions processes. Recipients will receive up to $500,000 each.

What is Lumina looking for?

Lumina is most interested in proposals that promote the following principles:

Proposal establishes linkages among long-standing siloes in the college admissions process, integrating elements across the student journey, such as financial aid, transfer, dual enrollment, advising, transcript movement, credit mobility, and/or employer sponsored programs.

Proposal promotes access for as many students as possible through expansive eligibility criteria and transparent communications.

Proposal creatively leverages data and emerging technology to reduce the burden of the college application process on both students and practitioners.

Proposal nurtures college-going identities by informing learners of their college options before they apply.

Proposal engages and empowers counselors, advisors, educators, and college access professionals as trusted messengers and champions.

Apply now »

Podcast rebroadcast

Lessons from a year of college admissions redesign

Hear insights from a nationwide movement. The live podcast includes real stories from the field illuminating how change happens—and where it’s heading.

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Video

Lessons learned and new directions

In a conversation from August 22, 2025, leaders from Lumina, Education Strategy Group, Research for Action, California State University, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shared learnings and innovations from the first phase of the Great Admissions Redesign.

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One Year Later: Lessons Learned

Six lessons from the grantees’ redesign efforts

Get an inside look at early activities spurring a rapidly expanding, nationwide admissions redesign movement. As grantees turn their ideas into reality, inspiring stories and lessons emerge. We hope you will join them.

Download the report
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Great Admissions Redesign

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More information

For the full backstory on the Great Admissions Redesign, you can see the 2023 finalists, webinar, application questions, and more on the archive page.

Applications were due October 6, 2023.
Winners were announced February 29, 2024.

See the Archive

What are you looking for?