Higher Education Facilities Capital Matching Grants Program
skip breadcrumbsAgency Web Site: https://www.dasny.org/about/what-we-do/grants-administration/hecap-board
Mission
The FY 2006 Enacted Budget authorized the creation of the $150 million Higher Education Facilities Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap) to support capital projects at the State's various independent colleges and universities. Projects were selected through a formula-driven process and were required to have a three-to-one (non-State to State) match by eligible academic institutions. Legislation enacted in 2013 extended the HECap program and established a competitive process for grant awards moving forward. To date, $275 million in appropriations have been authorized for competitive awards.
Organization and Staffing
The HECap program is governed by a three-member Board appointed by the Governor, with one member appointed upon the recommendation of the Temporary President of the Senate, and one member appointed upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the Assembly. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) acts as staff to the Board and administers grant awards.
Major Programs
HECap grants have supported 344 projects at private institutions of higher education. Grant funding has been used to improve academic facilities, drive economic development and high technology projects, and foster urban renewal and historic preservation.
Budget Highlights
The FY 2026 Executive Budget includes $189 million in reappropriation authority for HECap projects not yet fully disbursed. This includes $85 million for awards in Competitive Round 7 utilizing both the FY 2025 appropriation and unused funding from previous rounds. Competitive Round 7 awards are expected to be announced no earlier than May 30, 2025.
Once fully implemented, HECap will leverage roughly $1.3 billion in external funds to match the State’s $425 million investment, thereby providing for a combined capital program totaling $1.7 billion. The State’s share of the program is financed through the issuance of bonds.
| Category | Available FY 2025 |
Appropriations Recommended FY 2026 |
Change From FY 2025 |
Reappropriations Recommended FY 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Projects | 40,000,000 | 0 | (40,000,000) | 188,982,000 |
| Total | 40,000,000 | 0 | (40,000,000) | 188,982,000 |
| Comprehensive Construction Program | Available FY 2025 |
Recommended FY 2026 |
Change | Reappropriations FY 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Education Capital Matching Grants | ||||
| Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds | 40,000,000 | 0 | (40,000,000) | 188,982,000 |
| Total | 40,000,000 | 0 | (40,000,000) | 188,982,000 |
Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/21/2025