Teacher Residency Program Competitive Grant

The Teacher Residency Program Competitive Grant Opportunity is administered by the Minnesota Department of Education to strengthen the state’s educator workforce pipeline through the development and expansion of teacher residency and registered teacher apprenticeship programs. The funding is specifically directed toward Teacher Preparation Programs and their partners, including school districts, charter schools, Tribally Controlled Schools, service cooperatives, and sponsors of registered teacher apprenticeship programs. The initiative reflects a state-level strategy to improve teacher preparation pathways, particularly by supporting structured, practice-based training models that align candidates with workforce needs. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support planning activities rather than full implementation. The grants are intended to help eligible entities design new residency programs, expand existing programs into additional licensure areas, or establish new registered teacher apprenticeship programs. These planning efforts may include partnership development, curriculum design, program structure development, alignment with licensure requirements, and operational planning necessary to launch or expand such programs. The funding is therefore positioned as an early-stage investment to build capacity and readiness among participating organizations. The Minnesota Department of Education anticipates awarding up to three planning grants under this opportunity. Total available funding is approximately 600000 dollars, with individual grant awards capped at 200000 dollars. The funding originates from state appropriations under Laws of Minnesota, 1st Special Session, chapter 10, article 3, section 15, subdivision 15. There is no indication of required matching funds, suggesting that awarded amounts can fully support eligible planning activities within the defined scope. Eligible applicants include Teacher Preparation Programs and their collaborative partners, such as school districts, charter schools, Tribally Controlled Schools, service cooperatives, and registered apprenticeship sponsors. Applications must demonstrate collaboration among these entities and outline a clear plan for developing or expanding residency or apprenticeship programming. The grant emphasizes partnership-based models and alignment with workforce development goals within the education sector. The application process requires submission of several mandatory components. Applicants must complete an Application Coversheet that includes contact information and signatures, along with Federal Assurances. A detailed Application Narrative must be prepared, addressing questions that will be evaluated using a predefined reviewer rubric. Additionally, applicants must submit a completed Excel Budget using either the full or concise template provided. All materials must be compiled into a single PDF for the application (excluding the Excel budget, which must remain in Excel format) and submitted via email to the designated grants inbox. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a posting date of April 1, 2025, and a final application deadline of May 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM Central Time. A question and answer period is available until April 17, 2026, with responses published shortly thereafter. Applications must be complete and submitted on time, as late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Award announcements are anticipated in June 2026. Additional resources, including a budget guidance document and an informational webinar, are provided to assist applicants in preparing competitive submissions. Questions regarding the grant must be directed exclusively to the designated contact, Emily Busta, Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Specialist, via email or phone. The application review process will rely on a rubric that evaluates the quality and completeness of the narrative responses. Overall, the program is structured to support thoughtful planning and development of teacher residency pathways that can ultimately strengthen educator preparation systems across Minnesota.

Ensure narrative responses align closely with rubric criteria and clearly demonstrate partnership planning strength; submit complete and properly formatted documents to avoid disqualification