Tennessee DDA awards $1M in TN Believes grants

Tennessee’s DDA announced $1 million in TN Believes grants to five higher education institutions for the 2026–2027 school year. The funding is intended to support inclusive postsecondary programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The announcement includes a first-time awardee.

Grant scope and program purpose

The TN Believes grants are directed to higher education institutions and are tied to inclusive postsecondary programming for students with IDD. Tennessee’s DDA said the $1 million total will be distributed across five institutions for the 2026–2027 school year. The release also notes the program’s longer-term funding level. Since 2021, TN Believes has provided over $4 million in funding to Tennessee institutions.

How institutions plan to use the funding

Tennessee’s DDA release provides institution-by-institution award amounts and describes planned uses of the grants. The listed program uses include:

• Transportation supports for internships and job sites

• Staff hiring to support expanded program years

• Living stipends and training in the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI)

• Creation of a new inclusive program at a first-time awardee, Lee University

The release ties these uses to operational supports that enable students to participate in coursework and community-based experiences, including internships and job placements.

First-time awardee included

The 2026–2027 award cycle includes Lee University as a first-time awardee. The release states the institution will use grant support for creation of a new inclusive program. The overall announcement positions the 2026–2027 TN Believes awards as a continuation of a grant program that has funded Tennessee institutions since 2021, with more than $4 million provided over that period.