Partnership Program

Overview
Our main training grant option, the Partnership program focuses on providing training for both new and existing employees of participating businesses.

Minnesota participating businesses must partner with an accredited Minnesota educational institution. Grants of up to $400,000 are awarded to the educational institution to develop and deliver training specific to the business needs.  A cash or in-kind contribution from the participating business must match grant funds on at least a one-to-one basis.

A short-form application is available for grants of up to $50,000.

Projects average one to three years in duration.

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.  Requests for wage subsidies and tuition reimbursements are NOT eligible. However, wages paid to employees during training may be counted towards the required matching contribution.

To Apply
Applications are accepted on a year-round basis.   Grants, pending the availability of funding, are generally reviewed and approved two to three times per year by the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board.

See the Application Process Section of this Web site.

Pre-Development Grants
Pre-development grants assist in covering costs associated with planning a specific, large-scale Partnership Program project.  

A pre-development grant must demonstrate that the project will address education and skills training for high-wage, high-growth, and high skill occupations, businesses, and industries.  

In addition, a pre-development grant should demonstrate that the education institution will develop a significant amount of new capacity.

Grants of up to $50,000 are awarded to accredited Minnesota educational institutions with businesses as partners.  The maximum Partnership Program grant following a pre-development grant will be reduced by the amount of the pre-development grant.

Very few projects qualify to pre-development funds.  As such, any potential pre-development grant applications should be discussed with MJSP staff prior to the submission of a proposal.

For More Information
Contact the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Office at 651-259-7514 or by email at deed.mjsp@state.mn.us

Mailing Address
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Office
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street, Suite E200
St. Paul, MN  55101-1351