Have an idea about leveraging technology to help students succeed in college? Want it funded? Read on.

Next Generation Learning Challenges is accepting grant applications through June 8, 2012.

Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) is an exciting grant awarding collaboration between five education technology organizations, and they are currently on their third round of grants. Last year, NGLC awarded $17.5 million in grants to 48 organizations, including research universities, community colleges, start-up companies, state agencies, associations working with school districts, and more.

The NGLC is governed by EDUCAUSE, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the League for Innovation in the Community College, the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Wave III: Breakthrough Models for College Readiness and Completion
The latest round of grants (accepting proposals through June 8 of 2012) is focused on the development of new blended learning models that will, “provide support to educators and innovators who have a coherent vision for highly engaging learning pathways that span secondary school through postsecondary completion and that will prepare students for economic, social, and civic success.”

Wave III features two separate Request for Proposals: one for the postsecondary level and one for the secondary level (grades 6-12). The NGLC's vision for Wave IIIa, “Breakthrough Models for College Readiness”, is to identify fundamentally redesigned scalable models that combine the best aspects of brick and mortar and online learning to result in more personalized learning and demonstration of subject mastery (application instructions here).

Wave IIIb grants will “spotlight innovative delivery models that generate high student outcomes at an affordable cost”, encouraging the development of next generation online and blended programs leading to associates or bachelor’s degrees (application instructions here).

Past Grants
The first two rounds of grants focused on “Building Blocks for College Completion”.

Wave I consisted of four challenges: deployment of open core courseware, scaling of blended learning programs, encouragement of deeper learner engagement and mobilization of learning analytics. Winners are listed here.

Wave II was comprised of two interdependent elements – next generation approaches to learning content, and next generation assessments. Winners are listed here.

Future Opportunities
NGLC appears to be in this for the long haul, so if you have some creative ideas about technology solutions that help students prepare for college or succeed in their postsecondary education, keep your eye on the Next Generation Learning Challenge's website for future grant opportunities.

Related Posts (if the above topic is of interest, you might want to check these out):
8 Great TED Talks About The Future Of Education And Teaching
10 Internet Technologies Educators Should Be Informed About – 2011 Update
Online Schooling and The Democratization of Education