Grow Your Own Competitive Grant

The Grow Your Own (GYO) Competitive Grant Opportunity – Pathway for Adults – State FY27 is a funding initiative administered by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). This opportunity is grounded in Minnesota Session Law 2025, Chapter 10, Article 3, Section 15, Subdivision 9, and its companion statute, Minnesota Statutes 2025, section 122A.73. The overarching goal is to increase the number of teachers of color and American Indian teachers in Minnesota's education system by supporting local recruitment and training efforts. Through the Grow Your Own program, MDE seeks to empower school districts and educational entities to create sustainable pipelines for underrepresented individuals to enter the teaching profession. The Pathway for Adults track of this grant program specifically supports the development of GYO models that assist adults of color and American Indian adults in obtaining their first professional teaching license. Eligible applicants include Minnesota public school districts, charter schools, Tribally controlled schools, and cooperative units as defined in state statute. Entities may apply individually or as joint applicants, with additional documentation required for consortium submissions. A key condition of the program mandates that at least 80 percent of the awarded funds be directed toward tuition scholarships or stipends for eligible candidates to pursue licensure through a qualifying teacher preparation program. This grant emphasizes partnership and collaboration. Grantees are required to partner with at least one Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB)-approved teacher preparation program. Acceptable institutions also include those accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or those that have an articulated transfer pathway with a PELSB-approved program. These partnerships play a central role in supporting candidates through licensure, offering both financial assistance and wraparound services such as flexible scheduling, prioritized placements, and mentorship to reduce systemic and financial barriers. The anticipated total funding available for this round is $35 million, with an estimated 30 grants to be awarded. For the Adult Pathway, applicants are encouraged to request approximately $750,000, though larger joint applications may justify higher requests, and smaller districts typically apply for less than $500,000. Administrative costs are capped at 5 percent of the total award. Grant funds may be used over a period of up to 60 months, with projects beginning as early as July 1, 2026 and ending no later than June 30, 2031. Grantees must submit quarterly financial reports and annual evaluations tracking program activities, outcomes, and compliance. Applications must be submitted electronically to MDE by January 15, 2026, no later than 5 p.m. Central Time. A complete submission includes a signed application coversheet with assurances, a narrative response addressing detailed prompts, a completed Excel budget form, and any applicable supplemental materials such as letters of support. Joint applications require a letter from each partnering district. Separate instructions and materials are provided for the Secondary Student Pathway, though applicants may choose to apply to one or both tracks. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the FAQs and archived webinar materials available on the MDE grants website. Pre-award risk assessments will be conducted for awards over $50,000. The anticipated notification of grant awards is scheduled for Spring 2026, following a rigorous multi-phase review that includes scoring based on narrative quality, need, capacity, and evaluation plans, with additional priority points awarded based on the racial and ethnic demographics of student populations served. For questions related to the Adult Pathway, applicants may contact Kleber Ortiz, Educator Workforce Consultant, at [email protected].

Design should prioritize reducing systemic barriers for candidates of color; ensure strong TPP partnerships; use priority points strategically.