Pathway Preparation Grant Questions & Answers

The following applicants are eligible:

• A public school district
• A charter school district
• A service cooperative
• A partnership between one or more teacher preparation providers, school districts, or charter schools

Due to the competitive nature of the grant, we are unable to provide specific funding amounts or a specific number of awardees. However, the amount requested should be based on a detailed account of the cost to enroll a teacher in a higher education based or alternative initial licensure teacher preparation program or the cost to support a teacher through the licensure via portfolio process.

Funds must be used to:

• Support teachers holding a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license seeking a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license through completion of a teacher preparation program or the licensure via portfolio process.
• A grant recipient must provide teachers holding a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license with professional development, mentorship, and coursework aligned to state standards for teacher licensure.

Yes, Pathway Preparation Grant funds may be utilized to financially support teachers utilizing the licensure via portfolio process to obtain an intial professional license (Tier 3 or Tier 4 license). For more information about licensure via portfolio, please contact PELSB Alternative Pathways Specialist, Melissa Miller at melissa.a.miller@state.mn.us or (651) 539-5994.

Per statute, grant funds must be used to support teachers seeking an initial professional license. Funds may be used for professional development, mentorship, and coursework. They cannot, however, be used to fund a salaried position. Administrative costs, if requested, should be keep to a 10% maximum budget ratio, pursuant to state statute.

Funds are awarded by state fiscal year. Fiscal years end the year that they are named: for example, state fiscal year 2026 begins on July 1, 2025, and ends on June 30, 2026.

FY26 awards will span two state fiscal years: from the date the agreement is fully signed after July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Reports on the use of grant funds are due by September 30 at the end of each fiscal year that the award is active. 

Grant activity should be planned to occur within the time frame noted in the Request for Proposals (RFP). 

Please note that, in the event of two active and overlapping grant awards, grant work may be conducted for both, but older awards must be fully expended before newer award funds may be reimbursed.

No, state law requires this grant funding be used to support Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers seeking a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license. Specifically, Minnesota Laws 2025, Chapter 10, Article 3, Section 16, Subd. 5 states: "Grant funds must be used to support teachers holding a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license and seeking a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license through completion of a teacher preparation program or the licensure via portfolio process. A grant recipient must provide teachers holding a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license with professional development, mentorship, and coursework aligned to state standards for teacher licensure."

No, but applicants are encouraged to seek assistance from sources such as school districts, postsecondary institutions, foundations, and the private sector.

Proposals must use the application template but are not required to be formatted in a specific way. However, we would prefer narratives be double-spaced and use 12-point Times New Roman font (or similar).

Applicants will not be penalized for exceeding page limits. However, lengthy applications may affect a reviewer’s perspective. Tables of contents and/or appendices do not count as part of the narrative page count. 

Applications will be reviewed by multiple reviewers serving on an advisory group. The criteria and components to be scored are summarized in a rubric within the RFP. Reviewers may recommend the funding of specific items listed in the program budget. The state reserves the right to offer award amounts that differ from the applicant’s request.