Minnesota International Development Grants

This program provides financial and technical support to small businesses in Minnesota looking to start or expand their export activities in foreign markets.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is offering the International Medical Graduate Career Guidance and Support Program to address barriers faced by international medical graduates (IMGs) in becoming licensed and practicing medicine in Minnesota. This initiative aligns with the broader mission of strengthening the state's healthcare workforce, expanding access to care, fostering healthy communities, and providing culturally responsive care to underserved populations. The program aims to integrate the potential of IMGs into Minnesota's health system, recognizing their significant contributions. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are immigrant international medical graduates who are seeking to enter the Minnesota health workforce. The program's impact goals are centered on supporting these IMGs through career guidance and support services, ultimately facilitating their licensure and practice in the state. By doing so, the program contributes to a more diverse and robust healthcare workforce capable of meeting the diverse needs of Minnesota's communities. The program's priorities and focuses include awarding grants to eligible nonprofit organizations and postsecondary educational institutions. These organizations must be located in Minnesota, be in good financial standing, and demonstrate strong experience in working with immigrants and refugees, working with IMGs, and providing health care career guidance and support. This ensures that the awarded funds are channeled through organizations with proven capabilities in supporting the target population. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of IMGs successfully integrated into the Minnesota health workforce. Measurable results will be tied to the number of awards distributed (estimated one or two awards) and the range of funding provided ($100,000 to $400,000 per award, with an estimated total of $400,000-$500,000 available). While specific quantitative metrics for IMG licensure are not explicitly detailed, the success of the program will be evident in the enhanced support and guidance offered to IMGs, leading to their increased participation in the state's healthcare system. The program's strategic priority is to address a critical workforce gap and promote equitable access to healthcare for all Minnesotans.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) International Medical Graduate (IMG) Primary Care Residency Grant Program aims to address the critical shortage of primary care physicians in Minnesota, particularly in rural and underserved communities. This program aligns with the broader mission of strengthening the state's healthcare workforce and improving access to primary care for its diverse population. By facilitating the integration of internationally trained physicians into the Minnesota health care system, the program leverages existing medical expertise to meet a significant community need. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are accredited primary care residency programs in Minnesota that train International Medical Graduates, as well as the IIMGs themselves. The impact goals are to increase the number of primary care physicians serving rural and underserved areas, thereby improving health outcomes and access to care in these communities. The program focuses on supporting the training of IIMG residents in key primary care specialties such as Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Psychiatry. A core priority of the program is to ensure that IIMGs who receive grant-funded residency positions commit to serving for at least five years in a rural or underserved Minnesota community after graduation. This commitment is a crucial mechanism to directly address the physician shortage in areas of greatest need. Furthermore, IIMGs make payments into a revolving account, which contributes to the sustainability of MDH's IMG assistance programs, including this residency grant program, demonstrating a long-term strategic approach to workforce development. The expected outcomes include an increased supply of primary care physicians in Minnesota's rural and underserved areas, enhanced access to quality healthcare for diverse communities, and a more robust and diverse healthcare workforce. While specific measurable results like the exact number of IIMGs trained or the reduction in physician vacancies are not detailed, the program's structure with its five-year service commitment and revolving fund suggests a theory of change focused on sustained workforce growth and equitable distribution of medical professionals. The estimated grant amount to grant and award maximum of $390,000 indicates a substantial investment in achieving these outcomes.

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) announces the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment (MRRA) Engagement Project. The project aims to facilitate group sessions for the MRRA Engagement Project team to develop comprehensive policies associated with the MRRA. The project will be funded through a cooperative agreement and has an estimated total program funding of $50,000. The expected number of awards is one. The funding opportunity is open until June 10, 2024. This notice is to inform that NIC intends to make an award without full competition.