31ff SMART Grant

The 31ff SMART Grant is authorized under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 388.1631ff and is administered by the Michigan Department of Education through its Office of Health and Safety. The program is designed to address workforce shortages in student support services by incentivizing graduate-level training in key school-based mental health and counseling professions. The grant reflects the state’s broader policy objective to strengthen behavioral health capacity within K-12 educational settings, particularly in underserved and high-need districts. The primary purpose of the grant is to provide financial stipends to first- and second-year graduate students who are enrolled in school psychology, school social work, or school counseling programs and are completing required internships. These internships must take place within Michigan intermediate school districts or local education agencies, including both traditional public school districts and public school academies. By targeting students in training, the program aims to build a pipeline of qualified professionals entering Michigan’s school systems. Funding under this grant is specifically structured as stipends for eligible graduate student interns. The funds are intended to support students during their internship placements rather than to fund institutional operations or broader programmatic initiatives. There is no indication of required cost sharing or matching funds for participating organizations. Previous recipients of the grant are allowed to submit amendments to their original applications in order to request additional funding for newly eligible students, which suggests a flexible funding structure responsive to evolving staffing needs. Eligibility is limited to organizations that can place qualifying graduate student interns in appropriate school settings. A key eligibility requirement is that the placement site must either serve a student population in which at least fifty percent are economically disadvantaged or have received Section 22d funding in the previous fiscal year. This requirement ensures that the grant prioritizes high-need schools and districts. Eligible applicants include intermediate school districts and local education agencies operating within the state of Michigan. The application process is conducted through the NexSys grant management system. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis beginning November 10, 2025, and continuing until June 30, 2027, or until all available funds have been awarded. Because the grant remains open for an extended period, applicants are encouraged to apply early while funding remains available. The process may include submission of student eligibility details and internship placement information, particularly for amendment requests from prior awardees. There are no formal pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers indicated. Evaluation is likely based on eligibility compliance, availability of funds, and alignment with program priorities related to student need and workforce development. The grant does not specify a fixed award notification timeline, suggesting that awards may be issued on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed and approved. For additional information, applicants may contact Karley Roy at the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Health and Safety via email. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The grant is time-limited but functionally rolling, and it will close either when funds are exhausted or at the stated end date, whichever occurs first. This structure emphasizes urgency for applicants while maintaining flexibility in distribution.