DDA Accepting Applications for TN Believes Funding
More than $537,000 is available to colleges and universities to create higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilitiesNASHVILLE - The Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) announced today that it has received funding to award Tennessee Believes grants to higher education institutions in 2026.
DDA officially launched the Tennessee Believes program in 2021, aiming to expand opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at colleges and universities across the state. Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly provided $1 million in funding to DDA to continue the program in 2026. While half of those funds will go to continue already awarded multi-year grants, approximately $537,000 is available to new awardees.
Since its inception, the TN Believes grant has provided over $4 million in funding to ten Tennessee colleges and universities. Based on 2025 reporting, 195 students benefited from programs supported by TN Believes. In addition, students completed 1,491 classes, 352 internships, and 61 students graduated from their respective programs during the 2025 fiscal year.
“We are seeing more students with intellectual and developmental disabilities have opportunities to grow their skills and experience college life,” said DDA Commissioner Brad Turner. “Tennessee Believes funding has helped start programs in both urban and rural parts of Tennessee, ensuring that access to inclusive post-secondary education is possible no matter where you live.”
The application period began on January 5, 2026, and grant applications are due to DDA for review by February 13, 2026. DDA expects to select recipients and award the funding by summer 2026.
More information about the grant, including the application, can be found on the Grant Funding Opportunities page on the DDA website at https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/disability-and-aging/resource-directory/grants.html
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About the Department of Disability and Aging
The Department of Disability and Aging is the state agency responsible for the oversight of services and support to 1.5 million older adults and Tennesseans with disabilities. The department is the result of a merger between the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disabilities, effective July 1, 2024. Every day, the department strives to support people to live rewarding and fulfilling lives through Medicaid waiver Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), and a wide range of services and supports for older adults and adults with disabilities. DDA also provides services to infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays through the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), and children under the age of 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs through the Katie Beckett Program. The department supports people to live the lives they envision for themselves by ensuring people are free to exercise rights, engage with their broader communities and experience optimal health. DDA is the first state service delivery system in the nation to receive Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation from the Council on Quality and Leadership. It has also been recognized as a national leader in its efforts to increase competitive, community-based employment outcomes for people with disabilities and its commitment to enhancing independence through Enabling Technology.