Clinical Dental Education Innovation Grant Program

The Clinical Dental Education Innovation Grant is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health to support improvements in clinical dental training capacity and expand access to dental care for underserved populations. The program is authorized under Minnesota statute and reflects the state’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare workforce while addressing disparities in oral health outcomes. By targeting teaching institutions and clinical training sites, the grant aims to bridge gaps in training opportunities while ensuring that vulnerable populations receive increased access to services. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that both enhance clinical dental education and directly increase access to care. Eligible projects must demonstrate measurable improvements in access for underserved populations such as low-income individuals, rural residents, immigrants, individuals with disabilities, uninsured patients, and racially or culturally diverse communities. The program emphasizes innovation in clinical training approaches, encouraging applicants to develop or expand programs that integrate education with real-world service delivery. Funding is distributed through a competitive process with an estimated total program allocation exceeding one million dollars. Individual awards are expected to range approximately between thirty thousand and one hundred fifty thousand dollars, with an anticipated ten to thirteen awards issued. Funds may be used for a variety of purposes including establishing or expanding clinical training programs, improving clinic infrastructure, purchasing equipment, delivering services through training programs, and enhancing tele dentistry capabilities. Certain costs are prohibited, including lobbying, fundraising, debt-related expenses, and other non programmatic expenditures. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. Eligible applicants include accredited teaching institutions and clinical training sites that provide dental education. Organizations must either already provide accredited training or demonstrate active progress toward accreditation. Additionally, applicants must maintain policies ensuring that services are not denied based on a patient’s ability to pay, typically through a sliding fee scale. While collaboration with community organizations is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged and may strengthen an application during the review process. Applications must be submitted electronically through the designated state grants portal. Required components include organizational information, a detailed project narrative, a work plan, budget documentation, and supporting attachments such as proof of accreditation and financial statements. Applicants must also provide responses addressing project objectives, health equity impacts, innovation, collaboration, feasibility, and sustainability. The review process uses a standardized scoring system evaluating these components, with additional consideration given to organizational capacity and past performance. The application timeline begins with an opening date in July and closes in early September. Applicants must submit all materials by the specified deadline in early September, after which proposals are reviewed by a committee of subject matter experts. Award decisions are expected to be announced in November, with grant agreements beginning at the start of the following calendar year and continuing through the end of that year. Selected grantees must comply with reporting requirements, including periodic progress reports and financial monitoring. Throughout the grant period, recipients are required to adhere to state regulations, including nondiscrimination policies, financial accountability, and audit requirements. The program includes structured reporting deadlines and monitoring activities to ensure compliance and successful project execution. Technical assistance is available from program staff, and applicants may contact the program office for guidance or clarification during the application process.

Focus on clearly measurable outcomes tied to underserved populations and demonstrate strong alignment between project plan objectives and health equity impact