UC Riverside has been awarded a $350,000 annual grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will continue funding for a program that prepares about 700 San Bernardino high school students for higher education.
The award was provided through the department’s fiscal year 2026 Talent Search grant competition. Talent Search is one of the Federal TRIO Programs, a group of college-access and student-success initiatives serving students from low-income families and students who would be the first in their families to earn a four-year college degree.
UCR will receive about $1,750,000 over the five-year grant cycle, subject to continued federal appropriations.
“This award means that students and families in San Bernardino can continue counting on Talent Search to help them turn their aspirations into opportunities,” said Alicia Hernandez, executive director of UCR’s Center for Educational and Community Outreach Programs.
The award comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the FY 2026 Talent Search competition. The Council for Opportunity in Education, which represents TRIO programs and institutions nationwide, had raised concerns about significant changes the department made and the possibility that longstanding local programs could lose funding. Although ultimately approved, the restructured competition resulted in fewer grants than the previous cycle, according to the council.
UCR has offered its program working with the San Bernardino City Unified School District for many years. In 2025, more than two-thirds of its 12th-grade participants went on to college
Its support includes one-on-one academic advising tailored to students’ grade level. For instance, seniors receive support completing college and financial aid applications and juniors learn about entrance exams. Financial aid and literacy make up a large portion of one of the programs aimed at seniors. All grade levels receive guidance on completing entrance and course requirements.
The program also offers workshops on college preparation and the opportunity to visit different institutions throughout the state.
“What Talent Search provides is the information, encouragement, relationships, and hands-on support that help them navigate a path that can be especially complicated for the first person in a family who is preparing for college,” Hernandez said. “We are thrilled to continue standing beside them.”
