Minnesota Science and Technology Grants

This program provides funding to universities in eligible states to enhance their research capabilities in science and engineering that support the needs of the Department of Defense.

The Health Professionals Clinical Training Expansion (HPCE) grant program, supported by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), aims to establish or expand clinical training for eligible health professional training programs within Minnesota. This initiative is designed to strengthen the state's healthcare workforce, particularly by increasing access to primary care and mental health services in rural and underserved urban communities. The grant program directly aligns with MDH's mission to improve public health by addressing workforce shortages and enhancing healthcare accessibility across the state. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are rural and underserved urban communities in Minnesota, who will benefit from increased access to health care, and eligible health professional programs and their students, who will gain expanded clinical training opportunities. The impact goals are to strengthen Minnesota’s health care workforce and increase access to primary care and mental health services for these target communities. The grant funds activities related to planning and implementing new clinical training programs, as well as expanding existing ones in these identified areas. Key priorities for this grant include health equity, with a specific focus on increasing the number of health professionals serving rural and underserved urban communities. Other competitive priorities emphasize programs that advance health equity, incorporate a strong model of team-based primary care, and demonstrate a likelihood of sustainability beyond the grant period. The program's theory of change posits that by expanding clinical training opportunities, more qualified health professionals will be available to serve these critical areas, thereby improving health outcomes and reducing disparities. Expected outcomes include greater access to health care in rural and underserved urban Minnesota communities and a measurable increase in the number of clinical training opportunities for health professionals. The Minnesota Legislature has appropriated $500,000 annually for this program, with eligible clinical training programs potentially receiving up to $75,000 for a one-year planning project or up to $300,000 for a three-year expansion project. Eligible expenses cover a broad range of activities, from establishing and expanding clinical training for various health professionals to recruitment, training, student support, site improvements, and program evaluations, all designed to achieve these specific and measurable outcomes.

The Special Project grants, offered by the City of Saint Paul through its Cultural STAR fund, aim to support quality arts activities across all disciplines within the city's geographic boundaries. This initiative is deeply aligned with the fund's overarching mission to promote cultural vitality and economic growth, particularly within the downtown Cultural District, by strengthening the arts and culture community. The grants are designed to support projects that contribute to a vibrant cultural landscape, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents and attracting visitors, thereby fostering economic development. Target beneficiaries for these grants include nonprofit arts and cultural organizations located within the City of Saint Paul, as well as informal arts-focused groups, individuals, and one-time arts projects that partner with eligible nonprofits. Businesses in the Cultural District are also eligible for projects that enhance visitor enjoyment. The impact goals are centered on building and diversifying audiences, promoting a broad range of cultural offerings, producing long-term cultural impact, and leveraging additional financial support for the arts. The Cultural STAR Program prioritizes projects and programs that attract audiences, develop and improve cultural facilities, and build the capacity of artists and cultural organizations. A significant focus is placed on the Cultural District of downtown Saint Paul, with at least 80% of funds allocated to nonprofit organizations within this targeted area. The remaining 20% can support businesses in the Cultural District or nonprofit organizations located elsewhere in Saint Paul. This geographic focus underscores the strategic priority of revitalizing and enriching the downtown cultural hub. Expected outcomes include increased audience engagement with diverse cultural offerings, enhanced and accessible cultural facilities, and strengthened organizational capacity within the arts and culture sector. Measurable results could include metrics related to audience attendance, the number and variety of cultural events, improvements in cultural infrastructure, and the ability of organizations to secure additional funding. The Cultural STAR fund's theory of change is that by investing in these areas, it will lead to sustained cultural vitality and economic growth, creating a dynamic and engaging environment for both residents and tourists.

This program provides financial support to artists and culture bearers in specific Minnesota counties to help them enhance their creative development and pursue artistic opportunities.

The Ohio Valley Jaycees Charitable Fund Grant, administered by the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV), aims to support qualified nonprofits and students in the Upper Ohio Valley. The CFOV's mission as a tax-exempt, publicly supported organization is to manage charitable funds and provide grants and scholarships. This grant program directly aligns with the foundation's mission by offering financial assistance to organizations that serve the community, thereby fostering local development and addressing key needs within the Ohio Valley. This grant program targets 501(c)(3) organizations, public charities under Code Section 509(a), or those partnering with a nonprofit fiscal agent. Qualified charities include charitable, religious, and educational organizations, school districts, public libraries, and other government-affiliated organizations. The primary beneficiaries are residents of Ohio and Marshall Counties in West Virginia, and Belmont County in Ohio, who receive services from these organizations. The grant specifically excludes individuals and for-profit endeavors, ensuring that funds are directed towards community-focused initiatives. The grant prioritizes organizations that provide services within the specified geographic areas: Ohio and Marshall Counties in West Virginia, and Belmont County in Ohio. While specific thematic focuses or strategic priorities beyond serving these regions are not explicitly detailed, the nature of the eligible organizations (charitable, religious, educational) suggests an emphasis on enhancing community well-being, education, and social services. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by funding established and legitimate non-profit entities, they can effectively channel resources to where they are most needed, creating a ripple effect of positive community impact. The expected outcome of the Ohio Valley Jaycees Charitable Fund Grant is the successful implementation of projects and services by the awarded organizations, leading to improved conditions and opportunities for the residents of the Upper Ohio Valley. While measurable results are not explicitly outlined in terms of specific metrics, the grant size of $5,000 to $10,000 for 2024 indicates a commitment to providing substantial support. The underlying assumption is that by empowering qualified nonprofits, the grant will contribute to the betterment of the community, fostering charitable, religious, and educational growth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to businesses and nonprofit organizations in Hennepin County, Minnesota, to implement projects that prevent waste and promote the use of reusable materials.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

This grant option, part of the Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program, aims to support early-stage research into innovative treatments and rehabilitative techniques for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. The Tier 1 Pilot Project Grant does not require preliminary data but encourages it, reflecting early investment as researchers prepare to seek larger grants. The funding amount can reach up to $125,000 for a project duration of two years with an additional one-year no-cost extension.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to industrial facilities in Minnesota to reduce harmful air emissions, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by pollution.

The Individual Artist Equity program, provided by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, offers grants of up to $3,000 to individual artists. This funding is specifically designed to support artists who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, People with Disabilities, and/or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2+). The program aims to foster the growth and development of these artists by allowing them to undertake well-planned projects or seize impending opportunities that further their artistic practice or career. The target beneficiaries are individual artists from the specified underrepresented groups residing in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis County in Minnesota, or one of the four Tribal Nations within the region (BoisForte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, or Leech Lake within Itasca County). The impact goal is to empower these artists, providing them with the financial resources necessary to pursue creative endeavors and professional development. This aligns with a strategic priority to promote equity and inclusion within the arts community by directly supporting artists who may face systemic barriers. The program prioritizes activities that directly advance an artist's creative practice or career. This includes funding for art supplies, educational opportunities, and labor, such as services from other artists, babysitters, or paid time off for art creation. Equipment or technology purchases are also allowed, provided they are integral to the artistic project and constitute less than 25% of the total request. This focus indicates a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to enhanced artistic output, skill development, and career advancement for underrepresented artists. Expected outcomes include artists successfully completing projects that contribute to their growth, taking advantage of professional opportunities, and producing new works or developing new skills. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond project completion, the program's structure suggests an emphasis on the individual artist's development and the successful execution of their proposed artistic projects. The requirement for projects to begin within six months of approval also implies a focus on timely and impactful engagement with the grant funds.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering the AGRI Value-Added Grant, a reimbursement grant ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, to support value-added businesses such as bioenergy producers and hemp processors in increasing sales of Minnesota agricultural products through investment in equipment, production capacity, market diversification, and market access.

The Art Project program, administered by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC), is a targeted funding mechanism that provides grants up to $5,000 to eligible organizations for meaningful arts activities. The program is specifically designed to foster artistic creation, performance, exhibition, and publication, as well as the presentation of arts events, often through collaborations with other entities or individuals. While a formal mission statement for ARAC is not detailed, the program's explicit focus on "relevant, meaningful arts activities with value to the community" clearly aligns with a foundational philanthropic goal of enriching the local culture and enhancing overall community well-being through supporting local artistic expression. The program's target beneficiaries include a specific set of organizations that are vital to the community's infrastructure: state-registered and federally recognized non-profit organizations, accredited schools, tribal governments, and units of government. Both individual artists and arts organizations are eligible to apply. Geographically, the beneficiaries must be primarily based in one of seven specific Minnesota counties—Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis County (outside Duluth)—or within the four Tribal Nations of Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, or Leech Lake (within Itasca County). All Duluth organizations are eligible regardless of budget size, while organizations outside Duluth must have had prior year arts operating expenses of $40,000 or more; smaller groups are directed to a complementary program. The overarching impact goal is to support the arts landscape of this defined region by ensuring resources reach established organizations and communities. The strategic focus of the grant prioritizes activities that directly involve the creation, performance, exhibition, or publication of new artistic works. Funds are flexible and can cover essential supporting infrastructure, including art supplies, administrative and volunteer costs, and advertising, marketing, and promotional materials. To ensure the funds primarily support artistic output, purchases for equipment or technology are permitted only if they are integral to the artistic project and constitute less than 25 percent of the total request. This emphasis on direct artistic output and supporting necessary operational and promotional expenses ensures the grants have a tangible impact on the regional arts community. The expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around fostering a more vibrant cultural environment by increasing access to and participation in arts activities within the designated service area. Though not explicitly quantified, the ARAC's theory of change is inferred to be that by strategically funding projects which create new artistic works, present public arts events, and support the operational needs of qualifying arts organizations, they will successfully stimulate cultural engagement. The strategic distribution of resources is managed by key funding limitations, including the maximum grant of $5,000 and an overall cap of $25,000 per organization per fiscal year across all ARAC programs, which ensures broad distribution and support for a diverse range of projects and organizations. Furthermore, the requirement that projects must begin within six months helps ensure timely implementation and community benefit from the funded activities.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is offering a grant of over $1 million to public, private, and nonprofit owners of heavy-duty diesel vehicles in Minnesota to replace their old vehicles with new, cleaner models, aiming to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in the Brainerd Lakes region to support projects that improve community quality of life and address local needs.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This grant provides funding for programs and services that empower women and girls in Northwest Minnesota, focusing on entrepreneurship, safety, leadership, and personal development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and Tribal governments in Minnesota for projects that protect and restore the state's water resources, including initiatives like clean water workshops and stormwater filtration systems.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.

This program provides funding to support the development of affordable housing projects in suburban cities within Hennepin County, Minnesota, helping to meet the local housing needs.

This program provides $100,000 investments and support to high-growth, early-stage companies led by Black, Brown, and women entrepreneurs in Minnesota.