Professional Development Grant Program

The Professional Development Grant Program is administered by the North Dakota Council on the Arts, a state agency that supports arts and cultural initiatives across North Dakota. This program operates within the fiscal year spanning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and is designed to provide financial assistance for arts-related professional development. It functions as a reimbursement-based grant, offering funding of up to one thousand dollars to eligible applicants, including nonprofit arts organizations, educational institutions, individual artists, and arts educators. The funding is supported through a combination of state resources and contributions from the National Endowment for the Arts. The primary objective of the program is to enhance the skills, knowledge, and professional capacity of individuals and organizations engaged in the arts. Activities supported by the grant include workshops, seminars, conferences, residencies, and one-on-one training opportunities, as well as the hiring of consultants or advisors to provide structured learning experiences. As outlined in the program overview on page 2, activities may take place within the United States or internationally, provided they directly contribute to arts-related learning and development. Funding is limited to a maximum of one thousand dollars or eighty percent of the total project cash expenses, whichever is less. Applicants are required to provide a twenty percent cash match from non-federal sources. The program does not support expenses such as tuition for academic credit, capital improvements, equipment purchases without a training component, or activities lacking a clear professional development focus. The allowable and ineligible expenses are detailed across pages 3 and 4, emphasizing that funds must be used strictly for learning-based activities that contribute to artistic or organizational growth. Eligibility requirements vary depending on applicant type but consistently emphasize a strong connection to North Dakota. Individuals must be at least eighteen years old, reside in North Dakota, and be United States citizens or permanent residents. They cannot be enrolled as full-time students at the time of application. Nonprofit organizations must be physically located in North Dakota and primarily serve state residents. Educational institutions must be public entities within the state. Applicants are limited to one grant per fiscal year and must be in compliance with any existing agreements with the Council on the Arts. The application process is conducted through an online grants portal. Applicants must complete multiple components, including applicant information, narrative responses addressing arts activity, benefits, and impact, project outcomes, budget details, resumes, and work samples. As described in the application instructions section beginning on page 7, proposals are evaluated based on clearly defined review criteria that assess the quality of the activity, the benefits gained, and the overall impact on the applicant’s professional development. Applications must be submitted no later than six weeks prior to the proposed project start date, with a final absolute deadline of May 31, 2027 at 11:59 pm CST. Projects must begin no earlier than July 1, 2026 and conclude by June 30, 2027. Final reports are required within thirty days after project completion or by June 30, 2027, whichever comes first. According to the table on page 1, incomplete or late applications are not accepted, and adherence to timelines is strictly enforced. The review process involves an initial eligibility and completeness check followed by funding decisions made on a first-come, first-served basis until available funds are exhausted. Applicants are notified via email, and successful grantees must submit a request for funds to receive reimbursement. The program officer, Brenna Lahren, is available to provide guidance throughout the application process, and applicants are encouraged to seek assistance when preparing their submissions. Compliance with reporting requirements and acknowledgment of funding support are mandatory for all recipients.

Clearly align activity with professional development goals; demonstrate measurable impact; ensure budget supports narrative; submit complete application at least six weeks before start date