Competitive Grants and Contracts

Postings include all outgoing grants and open-ended PT services. Each solicitation includes a brief description of work and a link to its Request for Proposals (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA). More grants and contracts can be found on the State of Minnesota’s Supplier Portal.

Competitive Contracts

Medical Consultants - Ongoing Solicitation for FY23-FY27 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2027)
Medical Consultants

The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Minnesota Disability Determination Services (DDS) requests applications to work as a medical contractor reviewing the disability claims of Minnesotans who have applied for Social Security Disability benefits. All work must occur on the secured Social Security Administration Network. The State anticipates issuing multiple contracts for this work. This is an ongoing solicitation.

Request for Proposals
- Medical Consultants Request for Proposals (final amended 3/30/22)
- Sample Contract
- Questions and Answers Received during RFP Process
Deadline

All requirements and information, as well as proposal delivery instructions are contained in the RFP. Inquiries regarding the RFP may be directed by email to Milla Kokotovich, Disability Determination Services at Milla.Kokotovich@ssa.gov. Deadline for initial inquiries is Monday, March 28, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Other department personnel are NOT allowed to discuss the Request for Proposal with anyone, including responders, before the proposal submission deadline.

Proposals must be emailed to: Milla Kokotovich, Disability Determination Services, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development at Milla.Kokotovich@ssa.gov or sent via mail to Milla Kokotovich, Project Coordinator, MN Disability Determination Services, 121 7th Place East; Suite 300, St. Paul, MN 55101. Proposals for initial evaluation must be received by 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 11, 2022. Following the initial selection process, applications will remain open on the DEED and Department of Administration, Office of State Procurement (OSP) website and selected on an as needed basis. Applications are still welcome beyond April 11, 2022.

All costs incurred in responding to the Request for Proposal (RFP) will be borne by the responder. The Department of Employment and Economic Development reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any irregularities or informalities, and to cancel the solicitation if it is considered to be its own best interest. This Request for Proposals does not obligate DEED to award a contract.

For an alternative version of this document, please reach out to Milla.Kokotovich@ssa.gov.

Competitive Grants

Cannabis Industry Training Program (CanTrain)
Cannabis Industry Training Program (CanTrain)

The Cannabis Industry Training (CanTrain) Program is a competitive grant funding opportunity through the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED’s) Office of Adult Career Pathways. The Office of Adult Career Pathways (ACP) serves Minnesotans at all stages of their educational and career journeys through the development and implementation of workforce training programs. ACP serves adults who traditionally face multiple barriers to employment, need enhanced educational services, wrap-around support, and supportive services in order to be successful in securing long-term family-sustaining wages. Services are intended to help eliminate racial disparities and large economic gaps for the purpose of increasing Minnesotans’ literacy and access to high-growth, highwage jobs.

Request for Proposals
- Request for Proposals
- Application
- Download a flyer about the CanTrain RFP
The RFP posted on October 13, 2025 was amended on December 2, 2025.
- Proposal Due Date Extended to January 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
Deadline

All applications must be time-stamped received by DEED no later than 5:00 p.m. (CST) on January 8, 2026. Proposals should be submitted via email to acpgrants.deed@state.mn.us using the subject line "CanTrain Application – [insert applicant organization name]." The application form and all associated attachments should be saved and submitted as one PDF attachment (.pdf). Please respond in full to each prompt and submit all required attachments as instructed. Late or incomplete proposals will not be accepted.

Technical Assistance

An informational webinar was held on October 20, 2025.
- View the recording
Go MN! Service Provider Grant
Go MN! Service Provider Grant

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DEED-VRS) is requesting proposals from VRS Community Partners with a VRS Professional and Technical (P/T) contract to partner on VRS’s Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) grant model demonstration project titled Go MN! and provide Progressive Employment services to individuals currently working in subminimum wage employment or who may be contemplating subminimum wage employment in our Apple Valley, Faribault/Owatonna, Rochester, Winona and Woodbury locations. This grant will provide funding to qualified responders to attend “Jobsville” team meetings twice per month as part of implementing the Progressive Employment model, as well as to attend Progressive Employment training and other related meetings and trainings. These funds will be provided to qualified responders to supplement the provision of work-based learning activities and employment services to participants of the Go MN! program.

Request for Proposals
Deadline

All applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Time, on Friday, January 30, 2026. Late applications will not be considered. The applicant will incur all costs incurred in applying to this RFP.

Technical Assistance

All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by email to tyler.sadek@state.mn.us. All answers will be posted within three business days. Please submit questions no later than 4:30 p.m. Central time, on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership - Partnership and Pathways Programs
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership - Partnership and Pathways Programs

The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Board, through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), is soliciting grant applications for grant funding for new and incumbent worker training programs. MJSP will accept applications for the Partnership and Pathways Programs. In addition, applications for Pre-Development grants for the Partnership Program will be considered. DEED is committed to empowering the growth of the Minnesota economy for everyone. DEED facilitates an economic environment to produce jobs and improve the quality of the state’s workforce.

Request for Proposals
- Request for Proposals
RFP posted on November 25, 2025, as a correction to the posted date indicated in the RFP.

Deadline

The deadline for the submission of regular grant applications is 4:30 p.m., Central Time, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Short Form and Pre-Development applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m., Central Time, on Monday, February 9, 2026. Late applications will not be considered. The applicant will incur all costs incurred in applying to this RFP.

Applications must be submitted via email to the Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota Job Skills Partnership office at deed.mjsp@state.mn.us as one file, including attachments, in a PDF format.

Technical Assistance

Questions may be submitted by email or phone to Fun Fun Cheng at funfun.cheng@state.mn.us, 651-259-7514.
Minnesota State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program - Ongoing Solicitation
Minnesota State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program

The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO), an office within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, is soliciting applications for funding for eligible Minnesota-based small businesses to participate in export development activities that will assist the company to begin exporting or increase their exports from Minnesota. Proposals are accepted until all funds are committed.

Request for Proposals
- Download the RFP (Fillable PDF)
Applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis as they are received. Proposals must be submitted electronically to Jackie Geiger.

For complete information on the STEP Program, see the Export Financing Programs webpage.

For an alternative version of this document, please reach out to Jackie Geiger.
Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan Programs
Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan Programs

The Brownfields and Redevelopment Unit, is accepting grant applications through the Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan Programs.
- Call for Applications
Deadline

All applications and required attachments must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on February 2, 2026. Three complete sets of applications (application form and required attachments) are required for each site. One paper copy and two electronic copies on separate flash drives are required. All three copies must be complete and submitted by the deadline to be considered for funding.

Applications sent by mail or courier must be delivered to the following address on or before the application deadline.

Brownfields and Redevelopment Unit
Great Northern Building
180 East Fifth Street, Suite 1200
St. Paul, MN 55101

On February 2, 2026, applications may be submitted in person at the above address. Please take the 5th Street elevators (by the guard’s desk) to the 12th floor and leave applications on the cart located in the DEED elevator lobby. Applications will be retrieved promptly.

Applications submitted by email will NOT be accepted. Applications should be in a binder, spiral-bound, or, at a minimum, binder clipped with all attachments marked and tabbed.

Technical Assistance

For questions regarding the application process or to seek clarification on application instructions/questions, please contact the Brownfields and Redevelopment Unit at 651-259-7451.

Application Information Sessions

Join our Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan Programs Workshop.

Thursday December 18, 2025
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Microsoft Teams Meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 236 342 785 508 83
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Join on a video conferencing device
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Video ID: 112 344 355 4

Dial in by phone
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Phone conference ID: 497 492 55#
Small Cities Development Program Call for Applications
Small Cities Development Program Call for Applications

The Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) Unit is accepting preliminary proposals, the first stage in the grant application process, for eligible activities addressing community needs for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation, rental rehabilitation and/or commercial building rehabilitation or public facility improvements through SCDP.

Call for Applications
- Call for Applications
Deadline

The application process for SCDP funding consists of a Preliminary Proposal and a Full Application phase.

Eligible applicants must submit one original and one copy of the Preliminary Proposal to the address listed below. The original and copy must be printed in color. SCDP staff will review and evaluate all preliminary proposals submitted to determine which projects are eligible and how competitive eligible projects would be in the application phase.

For courier or U.S. Mail delivery prior to the due date of November 26, 2025, proposals must be sent to:

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Great Northern Building
180 E 5th Street, Suite 1200
St. Paul, MN 55101
Attn: Natasha Kukowski, Community Finance Division - Small Cities Development Program Unit

Preliminary Proposal Due Date Note: Proposals may be dropped off at the 5th Street entrance of the Great Northern Building on November 26, 2025, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at 180 East Fifth Street, St. Paul, MN 55101. There will be a cart at the 12th floor elevator lobby on the November 26, 2025. Preliminary Proposals must be received by DEED on or before 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Faxed or e-mailed proposals will NOT be accepted.

Please e-mail Natasha Kukowski at Natasha.Kukowski@state.mn.us to confirm your Preliminary Proposal has been received.