Clinical Dental Education Innovation Grant Program

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), under the authority of Minnesota Statutes Section 144.1913, administers the Clinical Dental Education Innovation Grant Program to increase dental access for underserved populations while promoting innovative clinical dental education or clinical training programs. This grant opportunity is managed by MDH’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care and is funded through state funds. The program supports teaching institutions and clinical dental training sites in Minnesota that provide accredited clinical training for dental professionals or are actively seeking accreditation with a reasonable assumption of success. The program seeks to address the limited availability of clinical training opportunities for dental professionals, which is a requirement for licensure. Funding will be awarded competitively to projects that directly and measurably increase access to care for underserved communities through innovative, accredited training programs. Target populations include people with low incomes, rural residents, immigrants, individuals with disabilities, those on medical assistance or uninsured, people from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, and other underserved groups as identified by applicants. Eligible projects may include establishing or expanding clinical training programs, providing dental services through educational programs, constructing or renovating clinic spaces, purchasing or upgrading equipment, enhancing tele-dentistry capabilities, and improving care delivery through education related to health equity. For FY2026, approximately $1,122,000 is available, with an anticipated 10 to 13 awards. Award amounts range from $30,000 to $150,000. There is no matching requirement. Funds can only be expended after the grant agreement is fully executed and the effective date reached. Ineligible expenses include solicitation of donations, most taxes, lobbying or political contributions, bad debts, and contingency funds. Awarded applicants will be responsible for meeting all grant requirements, including compliance with state laws, nondiscrimination provisions, data privacy, financial reporting, and regular progress reporting. Applications open on July 21, 2025, and close at 4:30 p.m. Central Time on September 5, 2025. Award announcements are expected on November 7, 2025, with grant agreements starting on January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026. An informational webinar will be held on July 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. Questions must be submitted to MDH by 4:30 p.m. CST on September 2, 2025, via email or phone, and responses will be posted publicly within three business days. Applications must be submitted electronically through the ORHPC Online Grants Portal. New applicants must create an account, while returning users may log in with existing credentials. Required application components include organizational and project information, a project abstract and narrative, a detailed work plan, a budget and budget narrative, required attachments such as a Due Diligence Form, proof of accreditation, audited financial statements, and a patient payment policy, as well as a conflict of interest statement. The review process involves a competitive scoring system worth up to 80 points, with an additional 5 bonus points possible for letters of support from community partners. Evaluation criteria assess organizational capacity, problem definition, project plan, objectives, health equity impact, innovation, community collaboration, feasibility, and long-term impact. Work plan coherence, budget detail and alignment with objectives, and adherence to funding guidelines are also evaluated. Scoring guidelines range from “Excellent” for proposals that significantly exceed minimum requirements to “Unsatisfactory” for proposals that fail to meet them. For more information, applicants may contact the program at clinical.dental.education.innovation.MDH@state.mn.us or call 651-201-5154. Full program details, application materials, and webinar links are available on the Clinical Dental Education Innovation Program webpage.