Education Grants

This grant provides funding to organizations that support adults facing employment barriers in Minnesota, helping them access training and services for high-wage jobs while promoting racial equity and economic inclusion.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and select public sector entities for projects that address critical community needs in Lorain County, Ohio, and other specified areas, focusing on long-term solutions in arts, education, health, and civic affairs.

This grant provides funding for organizations to conduct a three-day masterclass that trains Salvadoran youth in artificial intelligence tools and their applications in various sectors, promoting U.S. leadership in technology and fostering economic growth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that help Minnesota residents facing employment barriers gain essential skills and training for high-demand jobs, with a focus on reducing racial disparities and improving economic access.

This program provides resources for schools and youth organizations in the U.S. to create native plant gardens and outdoor learning spaces that engage young people in environmental stewardship.

This program provides funding to schools and educational organizations in Ohio to help cover transportation costs for student field trips to arts and cultural destinations, promoting access to enriching arts education experiences.

This program encourages high school students in Kentucky to engage with poetry through a structured recitation competition, providing resources and support to enhance their public speaking skills and literary appreciation.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), through its Office of Adult Career Pathways (ACP), is offering the Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA) Competitive Grant for State Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. The ACP supports Minnesotans facing barriers to employment by funding workforce training, wrap-around services, and educational programs that prepare individuals for family-sustaining wages, with a focus on eliminating racial disparities and increasing access to high-growth, high-wage jobs. This competitive grant program aims to encourage and assist women in entering high-wage, high-demand, and nontraditional occupations, particularly in skilled trades and STEM fields, thereby increasing representation and economic security for women. Funding totals $1.5 million statewide, with applicants eligible for up to $125,000 per year, or $250,000 total over the two-year period. Awards will be evenly split between SFY 2026 and SFY 2027. Funding must support activities aligned with WESA objectives, including recruitment, preparation, placement, and retention of women in nontraditional occupations; training and education; innovative outreach to girls and women; employer incentives; technical assistance; and supportive services such as childcare and transportation. Target populations include women of color, girls of color aged 16–17, women over 50, and low-income women, with priority given to programs serving women of color. Programs must focus on occupations meeting Minnesota’s high-wage, high-demand criteria or U.S. Department of Labor definitions for nontraditional careers for women. Eligible applicants include community-based organizations, employers, labor unions, business or trade associations with 501(c)(6) status, secondary and postsecondary institutions, workforce and economic development agencies, registered apprenticeship programs, and state, local, or Tribal governments. All applicants must have a Minnesota physical location open to the public, be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State, and—if nonprofit—hold a recognized tax-exempt designation and be in good standing with the IRS. Each organization may submit one proposal as primary grantee but may partner on other proposals. Applicants must be able to comply with DEED administrative requirements, use Workforce One for participant tracking, and follow applicable state and federal regulations. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF via email to ACPgrants.deed@state.mn.us with the subject “WESA Application – [organization name].” The deadline is 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Required forms include the cover sheet, narrative responses, work plan, budget, partnership chart and letters of support, conflict of interest disclosures, unemployment insurance account consent, nonprofit financial documents if applicable, and other attestations. Questions must be submitted in writing to Sarah Lee at sarah.lee@state.mn.us by August 21, 2025. DEED hosted an informational webinar on July 16, 2025, and recorded technical assistance sessions are available online. Proposals will be scored on a 100-point scale across seven categories: organizational capacity and experience, program description, implementation work plan, outreach and engagement, partnerships, performance and evaluation, and budget capacity. Reviewers will include DEED staff and community experts in workforce development, education, and relevant industries. Awards are expected to be announced October 8, 2025, with the grant term running from the date of execution through June 30, 2027. Grantees are expected to participate in onboarding, quarterly engagement sessions, evaluation activities, and monitoring visits, and to submit regular performance and financial reports. DEED may offer partial awards to ensure equitable geographic and community distribution of funding. Performance metrics will include job placements, wages, retention, and credential attainment. The grant also carries administrative requirements such as competitive procurement for large purchases, compliance with affirmative action and non-discrimination laws, and retention of records for at least six years. Contact Sarah Lee, ACP Program Coordinator, at sarah.lee@state.mn.us or 651-259-7307 for further information.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota to support adult residents facing employment barriers by offering training and resources for high-demand jobs, with a focus on promoting racial and economic equity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments in Virginia for establishing new school safety personnel positions aimed at enhancing student and staff safety in public schools.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations and public entities to support projects that conserve the natural and cultural resources in the Missouri Ozarks.

This grant provides financial support to doctoral students and early career scholars conducting research on poverty and early care among Hispanic children and families in the U.S.

This funding opportunity provides $8 million to support a four-year project that will enhance the U.S. shipbuilding workforce through international training partnerships, focusing on critical trades and promoting fair labor standards.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Utah and Southeast Idaho that provide innovative mental health programs for children and families, focusing on prevention, intervention, and trauma-informed care for low-income and underserved populations.

This funding opportunity supports K–12 education initiatives in Utah that improve access to quality education and promote cognitive development for low-income, uninsured, or medically underrepresented populations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Utah and Southeast Idaho that provide healthcare access, promote mental well-being, and address chronic illness for low-income and underserved populations.

This grant provides technical assistance and funding to Kansas communities and school districts to develop and implement strategies that promote safe walking, biking, and rolling to school for students.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions focused on improving oral health and dental education for underserved communities.

This grant provides funding to K-12 art teachers in Emmet County and Wolverine, Michigan, to purchase visual art supplies for their classrooms, supporting creative projects for students.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, that empower women and girls through programs focused on education, economic stability, and health and wellness.