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MCAN's annual conference features learning sessions hosted by practitioners and organizations from across the state. The request for proposals for the 2026 conference will open soon.

Take Flight: Sixty by 30 Pitch Competition

View application details here
A template of the interest form may be found here.

MCAN is seeking scalable, high-impact college attainment strategies or ideas to expand across the state to move Michigan closer to its Sixty by 30 goal!

During MCAN’s third annual pitch competition, individuals will present an idea that has the potential to impact Michigan’s college attainment rate. The top 3 finalists will all win a cash prize for their inspiring ideas! Don’t worry — you won’t be responsible for actually implementing the idea or demonstrating impact (it’s not a grant).

Eligibility: Ideas can be submitted either by individuals or organizations (see considerations below). We welcome and encourage collaborative submissions. Entities are welcome to submit more than one pitch idea.

Timeline:

• May 1: Two-Part Application Process Opens (Interest Form and Video Application) 
• May 20: Webinar for interested applicants 
• June 30: Deadline to submit Interest Form 
• July: Feedback from MCAN and opportunity for technical assistance
• Aug. 7: Deadline to submit Pitch Video Application 
• Aug. 1-31: MCAN review and finalists’ selection 
• Sept. 1: Top 3 finalists announced
• Sept. – Oct.: Finalists perfect pitches with MCAN assistance
• Nov. 3-4: Pitches presented at MCAN conference and winners determined

Goals: To foster creativity and celebrate innovative, potentially high-impact college attainment ideas in the state of Michigan. MCAN uses the term college to refer to attainment of education beyond high school, including postsecondary certificates and academic degrees. Ideas may be direct service or systems change interventions.

Pitch Details: We welcome ideas around any of the following areas (not an exhaustive list):

• College Access at Scale
• Student Success and Completion
• Workforce and Economic Mobility
• Transformational Statewide Leadership

In particular, we welcome ideas that encourage cross-sector collaboration (K-12, higher ed, workforce). We welcome BIG ideas that address systems issues and are impactful or scalable across the state.

All ideas should focus on advancing equity through education with a particular emphasis eliminating barriers and improving systems for students from low-income background, students of color, and first-generation college-going students.

College Access Impact Awards

At Michigan College Access Network, we honor those who have gone above and beyond for postsecondary attainment through our College Access Impact Awards. These awards shine a light on the individuals, organizations, and collaborations that have exceeded expectations to make a positive impact on increasing college readiness, participation, and completion in Michigan.

See the award winners