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Use of Funds
Funds may be used for training-related costs such as curriculum development, instruction, training materials and supplies, training equipment, and instructor travel. Funds may also be used to partner with local human service agencies or nonprofit organizations that are providing training-related services. Requests for wage subsidies and tuition reimbursement are not eligible. However, wages paid to employees during training may be counted towards the required matching contribution.
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Apply
Applications are accepted on a year-round basis. Grants, pending the availability of funding, are generally reviewed and approved three to six times per year by the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board.
Application forms are available on the Forms tab. A short-form application is available for grants of up to $50,000.
Timetables
Proposals are due six weeks before each MJSP board meeting for which Pathways proposals are being accepted, with the exception of short-form applications, which are due three weeks before MJSP board meetings. Applications must be submitted on or before application due dates. Grants over $50,000 are generally awarded three times per year and grants of $50,000 or less are generally awarded five to six times per year.
See the MJSP Board Meeting Schedule for due dates and to review detailed information in the Request for Proposal for the upcoming MJSP Board meeting.
Application Process
For businesses, the application process begins by contacting an accredited, Minnesota educational institution that may be a potential training partner and/or workforce development intermediary (a public, private or nonprofit entity that provides employment services to low-income individuals). After meeting with the business to more clearly understand the training needs and to identify possible training and program options, the educational institution or workforce development intermediary typically takes the lead in applying for the grant. It is recommended that grant applicants contact DEED staff to discuss their proposed training outline and determine if it would be an eligible Pathways project.
If the proposed project appears to be compatible with Pathways guidelines, the training institution or workforce development intermediary will partner with the business and complete a Pathways grant application for the next available grant round. DEED encourages the submission of draft proposals at least two weeks prior to application due dates.
DEED/MJSP staff evaluate applications and make recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviews the applications and recommendations and awards grants at scheduled Board meetings in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Board.
For grant requests of over $50,000, a representative from the educational institution, workforce development intermediary and business are asked to provide a short presentation to the MJSP Board and answer any questions the Board may have at the scheduled Board meeting.
Format
All requests for funding must be submitted as formal application proposals to DEED’s Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Office on forms provided by MJSP. Application forms, along with specific eligibility criteria, guidelines and application instructions can be found on the Forms tab.
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Forms
Following are instructions and forms for completing a Pathways grant application.
Updated June 2024. This is the joint, full-text version of the application for a Partnership and/or Pathways grant. It contains detailed program information and application instructions.
Updated June 2024. This packet contains the application outline and forms for a Partnership and/or Pathways grant of over $50,000. The budget forms, which are under a separate file, must also be completed.
Revised November 2020. This packet contains the required budget forms for a Pathways grant to be submitted as part of the Pathways grant application.
Updated June 2024. The short-form application is a condensed version of the Partnership and/or Pathways grant application which may be used for Partnership or Pathways grant requests of up to $50,000. This packet contains the detailed program information and application instructions.
Updated June 2024. This document contains the application forms for a Partnership and/or Pathways grant of $50,000 or less. The same Partnership or Pathways budget forms that are used for the regular application must also be submitted with the short-form application.
Updated June 2024. This is the evaluation form MJSP staff uses to score Partnership/Pathways grant applications.
Updated June 2024. This is the evaluation form MJSP staff uses to score Partnership/Pathways Short-Form grant applications.
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Grant Management
Here businesses and educational institutions will find report forms and the program guides that include instructions for managing a Pathways grant and for completing required reports.
Educational Institutions
Instructions for managing a grant and for completing the required report forms.
This report is to be submitted by the grantee at the end of the first or second trimester. It provides information on the training topics and goals.
Financial Report and Request for Payment
This report will be provided by the MJSP Grant Coordinator containing project-specific information. It is to be submitted by the grantee at the end of each trimester. The costs reflected on the Financial Report are cumulative line-item costs for the project year-to-date. The Request for Payment reflects cumulative and trimester cost data.
This report is to be submitted by the grantee at the end of each trimester. It provides information on how the project is progressing. A short paragraph for each section is usually sufficient.
This report form will be provided by the MJSP Grant Coordinator containing project-specific information. This report is to be submitted by the grantee at the end of each trimester. It provides information on the trainee population.
Audits are required for all Pathways grants of over $50,000. This document contains information on the audit requirements.
Instructions on how to prepare for an audit.
Businesses
Provides information on program administration and instructions for completing report forms.
This is a sample report only; a link to complete the evaluation online will be sent to the business approximately two weeks prior to the project end-date. This report is to be submitted by the contributing business at the end of the project. This report gives each contributing business the opportunity to comment about the project.
This report is to be submitted by the contributing business at the end of every other trimester. It gives each contributing business the opportunity to comment on the progress of the project.
This form must be completed by the contributing business and submitted to the educational institution. While there is no specific due-date, it is advised that vouchers be filled out monthly. The form documents the in-kind match given by the contributing business(es) to the project.
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Contacts
Each region of the state has an assigned grant coordinator who can answer questions about the Partnership program. Check the map to identify your region and then find your contact. Both our grant coordinators administer projects in the Twin Cities Metro Area.
NOTE: If you are an individual looking for training assistance please contact the Minnesota Dislocated Worker Program, CareerForce, or the financial aid office of the educational institution you are planning to attend.
Address and Email
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Office
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
180 E 5th St Suite 1200
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-259-7514
deed.mjsp@state.mn.us
Staff Contact List
Jodie Greising, Director
651-259-7517
Brent Carpenter
651-259-7514
Danielle Kressin – Region 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7W, 7E, 11
651-259-7509
Vikki Palony – Region 6W, 6E, 8, 9 & 10, 11
651-259-7524
