“Over the past 5 years, higher education and, especially, community colleges have shifted their focus from enrollment to completion, and with this shift come new perspective, new opportunities, and new strategies to best serve students from college readiness through degree completion. NGLC Wave III is seeking those institutions and organizations that have made this shift and show promise, initiative, and collaborative developments in this new landscape.”
Stella Perez, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, League for Innovation in the Community College.
Wave IIIb: Breakthrough Models for College Completion
Our vision for Wave IIIb is to spotlight innovative delivery models that generate high-quality student outcomes at an affordable cost. Grants will stimulate the development of new, next generation online and blended programs that lead to associate's or bachelor’s degrees.
Prior to applying, all applicants are strongly encouraged to read and review the Wave IIIb Requests for Proposals. (Click to download.)
Application Process
The Wave III selection process involves two steps: an initial application and a longer, more detailed full proposal from selected applicants. Initial applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 8, 2012.
| Submission date | Second Phase Notifications | Winners Notified | Should Open: |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 11, 2011 | November 23, 2011 | February 8, 2012 | Fall 2012 |
| February 9, 2012 | March 9, 2012 | May 31, 2012 | Fall 2013 |
| June 8, 2012 | July 8, 2012 | September 30, 2012 | Fall 2013 |
For more information on the application process and key deadlines, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Application Guidelines
The Wave III initial application includes a brief online, form-based application and two application components that will be uploaded with your online application. Our goal is to get to know you and your idea well. To access the online application, visit:
Wave IIIb: Breakthrough Models for College Completion
Prior to beginning their applications, all applicants are encouraged to watch a brief screencast of the online application interface. (The screencast is best viewed in full screen mode by clicking the icon in the bottom righthand corner. After viewing, hit "ESC" to return to this screen.)
You will be required to upload the following two items as part of your application:
Video
Please provide a link to a 2-minute introductory video that introduces you and your leadership team. The video can include as many people as you’d like in order to get your point across. The video should be used as an opportunity to acquaint reviewers with your team, your expertise, and your vision. Videos will not be rated on their production value. Rather, applicants should use the opportunity to speak directly to the review panel. (Please note that reviewers will watch the video first, followed by your slide deck, so applicants should avoid duplication.)
The video should be uploaded to YouTube or a similar site with a link provided in the online form. Learn more about YouTube accepted file formats here.
Slide Deck with Voiceover
Please submit a presentation slide deck pitching your idea. Your deck should be in PowerPoint format with an audio voiceover embedded on each slide. (Please avoid exporting as a PowerPoint show or presenting the audio as a separate audio file.)
Your deck should be no longer than 12 slides. We anticipate that each audio clip will be 1-2 minutes in length but the entire length of the provided audio should not exceed 20 minutes total. The slide deck should act as a summary business plan and briefly address the following:
1. Mission
2. Founding, planning and management team
3. What is the problem and need that your model will address? How does your model’s design differ from, contribute to or complement related work in the field? Where does it sit in the broader landscape?
4. Academic model - how will your model dramatically improve progress to degree completion for all students in a cost-effective, sustainable way?
5. Assessment of primary risks and mitigation strategies
6. What is the status of work to date?
7. Organization structure and capacity to implement and administer the proposed work
8. Start-up strategy
9. Cost efficiency and sustainability of model (Please briefly describe your planned financial model, how it differs from traditional models, and how it can deliver your anticipated student outcomes at a cost approaching the $5,000 per FT student/per year target of this RFP)
10. Growth plan and development roadmap
Application Resources
To aid applicants in the development of their proposal, NGLC has assembled the following resources. All applicants are also strongly encouraged to participate in Upcoming Events related to the RFP and to review the Frequently Asked Questions page prior to submitting.
Resources for Wave IIIb College Completion Applicants
Note: These resources represent a range of reports, other forms of research, and educational models that applicants may find useful to review while developing their proposals. Inclusion in this list does not infer that NGLC endorses any resource in any official way.