Aligning youth apprenticeships with registered apprenticeship programs

Available funding

Total amount of funds available is up to $50,000. The maximum amount of funding that can be requested by any single applicant is $15,000.

Grant timeline

The dates below are to provide an estimated timeline for the grant and may change:

• April 30, 2026:  Request for proposals (RFP) posted on the DLI website.

• May 8, 2026:  Virtual information session on Teams at 11 a.m. CDT. (Register to attend here.)

• May 22, 2026:  Questions due no later than 4:30 p.m. CDT.

• May 29, 2026:  Applications due no later than 4:30 p.m. CDT.

• June 5, 2026:  Committee begins review of applications.

• June 22, 2026:  Selected grantees announced; grant contract agreement negotiations begin.

• July 1, 2026:  Work plans approved and grant begins.

Objective

This grant opportunity is intended to provide funding to Minnesota school districts, charter schools, tribally controlled schools and service cooperatives to support the establishment of a Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)-approved youth apprenticeship program that includes clear, actionable plans for participants to transition into a registered apprenticeship program (RAP). Grant funding may be used for staff planning time, curriculum development, obtaining a Minnesota Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB)-approved work-based learning endorsement, and other activities required to create a MDE-approved youth apprenticeship program. Grantees will be required to engage with employers to secure their interest and participation in the youth apprenticeship.

This grant is fully funded through a $4.7 million State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Grant (Award # 24A60AP000057) that DLI received from the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration. ALN/CFDA number 17.285. All grant awardees will need to comply with the requirements in 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 2900, including but not limited to the provisions required by eCFR:: Appendix II to Part 200– Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts under Federal Awards.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements in order to be considered for this grant opportunity. If an application does not fully meet these requirements it will not be further reviewed. 

Eligible applicants must be Minnesota school districts, charter schools, tribally controlled schools and service cooperatives that can demonstrate the capacity to develop and secure approval from MDE for a youth apprenticeship program and design a clear and actionable plan for participants to transition into a RAP.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must also:

• meet the application deadline;

• submit a complete application with supporting documents as appropriate; and 

• be an eligible applicant.

Award amount

Total amount of funds available is up to $50,000. Maximum $15,000 per applicant. Estimated number of awards:  3 to 4.

RFP and application materials

• Request for proposals

• Application

• Grant FAQs

Questions

Contact Mahdi Surosh at mahdi.surosh@state.mn.us with questions or for technical assistance.