The Educator Tuition Assistance Program Competitive Grant Opportunity for State Fiscal Year 2026 is administered by the Minnesota Department of Education. This initiative, supported by Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.635, is designed to increase the number of teacher candidates of color and American Indian teacher candidates in Minnesota who are recommended for Tier 3 licensure. The goal is to enhance teacher diversity across the state for the benefit of all students.
Eligible applicants for this opportunity are public or private higher education institutions offering a PELSB-approved (Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board) teacher preparation program. Grantees are expected to use funds to support efforts that reduce financial barriers and provide systemic support for licensure-track candidates, particularly from racially and ethnically underrepresented backgrounds. Awards will support activities from December 2025 through June 30, 2027.
The total estimated funding available is $4,300,000, to be distributed among approximately 10 to 15 grantees. There is no minimum or maximum grant request limit. The grant is funded under Laws of Minnesota 2025, 1st Special Session, chapter 10, article 3, section 15, subdivision 6. All applicants are required to submit a completed application, including a signed coversheet, full assurances, a narrative section, a supplemental data form (Attachment A), and a detailed budget spreadsheet in Excel format.
Completed applications are due by 3:00 PM Central Time on September 30, 2025. All materials must be submitted electronically to mde.compgrants@state.mn.us. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed based on a published rubric, and priority points will be assigned based on data provided in Attachment A. The anticipated grantee announcement date is November 2025.
An informational webinar was held on August 21, 2025, and a Question and Answer document, last updated September 14, 2025, is available to support applicants. Additional guidance, including examples, evaluation criteria, and templates for all required documents, is available on the Minnesota Department of Education grants website.
Submit all materials as directed by the 3:00 PM CT deadline on September 30, 2025. Review the scoring rubric and complete Attachment A carefully to maximize priority points.
