Leadership Capacity Grant
Capacity-Building for Equity in Career Technical Education
Capacity-Building Defined:
Capacity-building is developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes, and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive [in a fast-changing world.] An essential ingredient in capacity-building is the transformation generated and sustained over time from within; transformation goes beyond performing tasks to changing mindsets and attitudes (United Nations, 2024)
Limitations of the Grant
You are encouraged to leverage other resources to support your proposed grant. Awards still adhere to Perkins guidelines for the use of funds and cannot be used to purchase equipment, course supplies, or the salary and benefits of staff and instruction.
Process
The Minnesota State CTE team will review each application. Awarded projects will demonstrate clear and specific alignment to identified priorities and initiatives defined in the local application. The project must demonstrate impact on the intended objectives and have measurable outcomes that address the key challenge(s) identified as priorities in addressing equity and access.
Eligibility
- Perkins consortia (secondary and postsecondary) are eligible for funding consideration.
- Multi-consortia/district partnerships are eligible.
The project can collaborate with internal or external partners (e.g., workforce center, employer, community organization, district program, or center, etc.)
Evaluation Criteria
- Evidence that supports the need and purpose of the proposed project.
-
Evidence that the proposed project clearly outlines measurable outcomes, which will have an impact on special population learners.
- Clarity on what special population group(s) is the project focus and goals of the project to address an identified gap.
-
Describe your plan for assessing the project's effectiveness and identifying goals for sustainability.
Award Definition
- A maximum of five grants will be awarded in amounts up to $10,000. Funding requests exceeding $10,000 will depend on the number of applicants and the amount of funds available.
Application Timeline and Processes
Rolling deadlines for Fall and Spring terms are approximate timelines for requests submitted to give applicants flexibility and allow thoughtful considerations for a proposed project. You are welcome to submit a request for a year-long project if that fits the timeframe for your needs. If you are considering a project for the full academic year, follow the deadline for Fall.
| Projects for Fall 2025 or full academic year | Projects for Spring 2026 |
|---|---|
| Requests due June 25 | Requests due November 14 |
| Mid-July: Award notification and orientation information about grant processes. | Mid-December: Award notification and orientation information about grant processes. |
| August: Contracts are in progress or completed. | January 15th: Contracts are in progress or completed. |
|
December 30th: Projects are completed unless a year-long project is due June 15th. Reports should include specific outcomes, lessons learned, and sustainability that support local CTE planning and implementation. |
June 15th: Projects are completed. Reports should include specific outcomes, lessons learned, and sustainability that support local CTE planning and implementation. |
Application Instructions
- Applicants must complete all fields in the form.
- To Access the application form select Apply Now.
Questions regarding the funding request or process may be directed to Eva Scates-Winston at eva.scates-winston@minnstate.edu.
Capacity-Building for Perkins V Grant Application
The following is an outline of the information that will be needed to submit in the application form.
- Consortia Name
- Name of Project Manager
- Name of Supervisor
- Needs Statement
- Description of Project
- Description of Impact
- Priority Alignment
- Timeline
- Outcomes
- Budget
Statement of Understanding
Acknowledgement of Capacity-Building Grant form to upload. We have reviewed the information included in the Capacity-Building Grant Application. We acknowledge that if this application is accepted, funds will be used as appropriate according to Perkins regulations and we will not supplant other funding or leveraged resources. We have viewed the Perkins Operational Guide regarding local use of funds.