Pathways to Prosperity Individualized Training Pathway Competitive Grants in Minnesota

The State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Office of Adult Career Pathways is offering a competitive grant opportunity under the Pathways to Prosperity Individualized Training Pathway program for State Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. This initiative supports adult Minnesotans who face multiple barriers to employment, focusing on improving literacy, access to high-growth and high-wage jobs, and eliminating racial and economic disparities. The program is designed to serve participants who are ready for post-secondary training, providing navigation services, wraparound supports, formal training, and experiential learning that lead to industry-recognized post-secondary credentials such as degrees, diplomas, or certificates. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, units of state or local government (including Tribal governments), community action agencies, business organizations or trade associations, alternative secondary or post-secondary institutions, and labor organizations. Applicants and their partners must be registered and in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State, meet tax-exempt or recognized status requirements where applicable, and have a physical location open to the public in Minnesota. Participants served must be Minnesota residents at least 18 years old, not enrolled in K-12, authorized to work in the United States, and part of at least one target population group such as individuals of color, those lacking stable housing, justice-involved individuals, those without a high school diploma, individuals with disabilities, long-term unemployed, those with limited English or math proficiency, or individuals at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Applicants may request up to $250,000 per year for a maximum total of $500,000 across both fiscal years. The total available funding for all Pathways to Prosperity competitive grant programs is $18.3 million, with awards divided equally between SFY 2026 and SFY 2027. Funds may be used for allowable costs including tuition (up to $10,000 per participant per year), support services, and work-based learning activities such as internships, paid work experiences, or on-the-job training. Programs must include partnerships with at least one employer, one workforce development organization, and one accredited post-secondary institution, and must prepare participants for employment in high-growth, in-demand regional industry sectors or demonstrate justification for alternative sectors. The application process includes submission of a completed application packet consisting of 12 forms and all required attachments, such as partnership letters of support and financial documentation. Applications must be emailed as a single PDF to ACPgrants.deed@state.mn.us with the subject line “P2P ITP Application – [organization name].” Key dates include the posting of the RFP on July 14, 2025, an informational webinar on July 23, 2025, a questions deadline on August 28, 2025, and the application submission deadline of September 4, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. CST. Award notifications are anticipated on October 15, 2025, with the grant period running through June 30, 2027. Proposals will be reviewed and scored by a committee using a 100-point scale, evaluating organizational capacity, program description, implementation workplan, outreach and engagement strategies, partnerships, performance and reporting plans, and budget/fiscal capacity. The Commissioner of DEED will make final funding decisions, prioritizing proposals that address racial equity and geographical distribution. Grantees will be required to track participant data in the Workforce One system, submit quarterly and monthly reports, participate in evaluation efforts, and comply with all applicable state and federal requirements. For further information, interested parties may contact Jenilee Drilling, Lead ACP Program Coordinator, at Jenilee.drilling@state.mn.us or by calling 651-259-7530.

DEED offers recorded grant-writing training sessions focusing on navigating RFPs, aligning proposals to funder priorities, and building budgets.