Ithaka S+R is excited to issue a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for Understanding Postsecondary Students’ Perspectives on Basic Needs Insecurity. This multi-year research initiative funded by ECMC Foundation will focus on better understanding how students define and experience basic needs insecurity and how institutions can more effectively align services, outreach, and communication with those perspectives.

Selected institutions will collaborate with Ithaka S+R over multiple phases of research and engagement, conducting student interviews and focus groups, fielding a student-informed survey, and participating in structured communication strategy labs. Participating institutions will receive institution-specific insights, benchmarking data, and an implementation roadmap to support student-centered approaches to basic needs work. Institutions will also receive a modest subgrant to support participation in the cohort.

We are seeking 10–15 institutions across the United States, including two- and four-year public and private colleges and universities from diverse geographic settings. While these institutions may have varying levels of basic needs support and infrastructure, all will share a demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ basic needs and the capacity to engage students directly in this project. Full project details, participation expectations, and application instructions are available on our project landing page.

To learn more, we invite interested institutions to join our upcoming virtual information session on February 10, 2026, where we will walk through the project goals, timeline, and application process, as well as answer questions.

Applications will be accepted through March 6, 2026. We look forward to working with institutions committed to centering student perspectives in advancing basic needs support.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions to Melissa Blankstein (melissa.blankstein@ithaka.org) or Elmira Jangjou (elmira.jangjou@ithaka.org).