Fueling Career & Technical Education Innovation!

Resource Training & Solutions is committed to empowering educators, students, and communities across Central Minnesota by supporting dynamic Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs. Through our CTE Mini Grants and CTE Impact Grants, we offer valuable funding opportunities that enable schools to enhance hands-on career exploration, build sustainable industry partnerships, and meet workforce needs in our region.

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Thanks to a partnership with seven other educational service cooperatives and the Minnesota Department of Education, these grants support rural CTE initiatives within our nine-county service area, advancing career-readiness programs that make a difference.

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Discover the Right Grant for Your Program

CTE Mini Grants

CTE Mini Grants are designed to launch smaller-scale, hands-on CTE projects that introduce students to real-world career pathways. With funding up to $5,000, these grants foster collaboration between schools, businesses, and higher education institutions on innovative projects for students in grades 7-12. Examples of eligible projects include:

• Job Shadowing Programs
• Teacher Externships
• Career Camps and Industry Tours
• New CTE Course Development

These grants also support educators advancing from Tier 1 or 2 licensure to Tier 3 or 4, with priority given to districts that are full members of Resource Training & Solutions. Each project must include at least one high school and one business or higher education partner and be designed to sustainably meet local workforce needs.

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Learn more about our CTE Mini Grants >>

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CTE Impact Grants

For educators and districts with larger visions, CTE Impact Grants offer the chance to create transformative, sustainable career education programs. These grants support significant projects that address key industry demands and foster career readiness on a broader scale. Examples of eligible initiatives include:

• Comprehensive Career Pathways
• State-of-the-Art CTE Lab Spaces
• Extended Internships and Apprenticeships
• Collaborative Career Camps with Industry Partners

CTE Impact Grants allow schools to build advanced learning environments and establish deeper partnerships with local businesses and higher education, creating unique career opportunities for students across Central Minnesota.

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Learn More about our CTE Impact Grants >>

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Why Apply?

Both grants are designed to foster meaningful CTE experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom learning. By partnering with local businesses and higher education, schools can develop projects that offer invaluable, hands-on learning opportunities for students and help meet workforce demands in our region.

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Application & Contact Information

Applications for both CTE Mini Grants and CTE Impact Grants are accepted on a rolling basis, and projects must be implemented by June 30, 2025. Resource Training & Solutions reviews applications monthly, offering prompt feedback to help you get started as soon as possible.

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To learn more about these grant opportunities or to start your application, visit our Career Connected Learning webpage or contact Alison Orgaard, CTE Manager, at aorgaard@resourcecoop-mn.gov. Together, let’s build a brighter future for Central Minnesota students, one career pathway at a time!

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