Chris Mather
Chris serves as Director of Business Development for McAllister & Quinn’s Higher Education practice. Chris partners closely with senior leadership to drive the practice’s strategic growth through targeted business development and marketing initiatives.
Micaela Quinn
Micaela C. Quinn is a Director of Grants and Federal Affairs within the Higher Education Practice at McAllister & Quinn. Since joining the firm in 2021, Micaela has played a key role in supporting small to mid-sized higher education institutions as they identify, pursue, and secure federal and foundation grants aligned with their strategic priorities.
Bipartisan Support for Higher Education: FY2026 Earmarks Reach $2B
On February 3, 2026, President Donald Trump signed into law H.R. 7148, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026,” which cemented appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026 for several key bills affecting higher education, including Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (with the exception of the Homeland Security Bill which has still yet to be passed). By enacting the FY2026 appropriations bills, Congress has demonstrated its bipartisan support for colleges and universities with the inclusion of nearly $2 billion for over 800 projects in earmarked funding for institutions of higher education.
Earmark Funding for Institutions of Higher Education
The FY2026 budget includes significant investments that directly impact colleges and universities, supporting student success, workforce development, research, and campus infrastructure projects. For McAllister & Quinn, this federal investment comes on the heels of a dynamic year within the federal funding landscape. Over the past year, we worked with colleges and universities to identify high-impact projects, engage congressional offices, and successfully navigate the earmark process. Our process for supporting higher education clients securing federal earmarks is further explained in the sections below.
McAllister & Quinn secured more than $124 million in congressionally directed spending for our higher education clients for FY26. We partnered with our clients to submit impactful projects resulting in strategic funding for campus and community initiatives through the earmark process, including:
Understanding the Timing and Process for FY2027
As Congress turns its attention to FY2027, many offices have already begun releasing deadlines for earmark requests – some as early as late February, with more expected to follow in the coming weeks. Unlike traditional federal grant competitions, earmarks rely less on lengthy technical narratives, but more on presenting a compelling, community-focused project that aligns with congressional priorities. These projects are marketable and easy for a member of Congress to champion in their home district and in Washington, DC.
Congressional offices receive far more proposals than they can advance, meaning it is critical to develop proposals that are:
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Clear and well-defined
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Strategic and concise
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Rooted in local impact
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Positioned for visibility both in Washington, DC and in home districts
This is where experience matters. McAllister & Quinn partners with institutions to navigate every stage of the earmark cycle. We help your team:
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Shape a strong project concept
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Draft persuasive language
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Engage congressional staff
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Ensure alignment with eligible accounts and committee expectations
Discover the McAllister & Quinn Impact
McAllister & Quinn has more than two decades of experience navigating the complex, political nature of earmark funding. We provide strategic support from concept to submission, ensuring your request is competitive, well-positioned, and aligned with congressional priorities.
