Phone and email scam alert. | Safeguarding tax dollars is our priority. Report suspicious activity.

Navigate To ...

Recognized apprenticeship preparation program grant

Grant funding up to up to $50,000. Maximum of $10,000 per applicant, minimum of $5,000 per applicant.

Grant timeline

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through Dec. 31, 2026, and must be submitted by the last day of each month. The review committee will evaluate all eligible and complete applications on a monthly basis. DLI will review the committee’s recommendations and make the final award decisions.

Objective

This grant seeks to support career readiness or employment preparation programs in Minnesota to become Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) recognized apprenticeship preparation programs (pre-apprenticeship programs) and to enroll participants into registered apprenticeship programs (RAP) following successful completion of the pre-apprenticeship program.

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 to be considered for this grant opportunity. If an application does not fully meet these requirements it will not be further reviewed. 

The grant program seeks proposals from community-based organizations, workforce development agencies, non-profits, and RAPs in Minnesota who demonstrate capacity, experience and the needed relationships necessary for administering a registered apprenticeship preparation program. Multi-organizational collaboratives are not allowed for this grant. 

To be eligible for funding, applicants must: 

  1. Meet the application deadline. 

  2. Be an eligible applicant in good standing according to the Minnesota Secretary of State. 

  3. Demonstrate capacity, experience and the needed relationships necessary for administering a registered apprenticeship preparation program. 

  4. If the applicant is not currently a RAP, it must provide at least one signed letter of support from a Minnesota RAP sponsor. The letter must outline how the applicant and sponsor will collaborate to ensure participants have a pathway into the sponsor’s RAP — such as direct or preferred entry or credit for advanced standing. Additionally, applicants must become a DLI recognized pre-apprenticeship program during the grant period.

Award amount

Grant funding up to up to $50,000. Maximum of $10,000 per applicant, minimum of $5,000 per applicant. 

RFP and application materials 

Questions?