Montana's Future at Work Grant

Montana's Future at Work Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Montana University System
Amount: US $30,000 - US $50,000
Last Updated: May 14, 2025

Summary

The Montana's Future at Work Grant aims to empower high school students by providing funding for career and technical education (CTE) opportunities. With grants ranging from $30,000 to $50,000, the program focuses on training 10-15 students in high-demand credentials that can be completed in one or two semesters. The initiative encourages community partnerships and aims to enhance student engagement in fields like cybersecurity, nursing, and robotics, ensuring that local youth gain essential skills for their futures.

Overview

The Montana University System seeks promising grant proposals that will deliver responsive CTE outcomes in high-need, short-term credential areas in the community where high school students live. Goals Montana’s Future at Work is a grant funded by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation designed with three goals in mind: Train 10-15 high school students in a CTE field in the community where they live;Market the importance of more training in the field among students, educators, community members and family membersPromote/Market the CTE field to local and state stakeholders Funding The grants will be $30,000-$50,000 in size.4-6 grants will be awarded.  The awards are for one year with an opportunity for a smaller grant award for a second year.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Who may apply? Montana public post-secondary institutions in partnership with at least one accredited Montana high school.  Funds must be used to meet Montana’s Future at Work program goals and may include:Marketing the credential-Marketing can include promotional items such as stickers, magnets, posters, etc. as well as strengthening an online presence for the credentialExpenses related to convenings for stakeholder groupsCourse, exam and assessment fees including books and supplies for studentsApplications must include:Must include a creative plan to market/advertise the credential to students, families, educators and other community stakeholdersA focus on high school students interested in earning one high need short-term credential in a short time in the community where they liveThe high need credential needs to be outlined in the proposalA description of how 10-15 students will be recruited to participate and complete the programA plan to support these students to a stackable credential before or in concurrence with high school graduation (if the ultimate degree is an AA or AS, the plan must include a plan to ensure completion of a badge or something stackableA plan to enroll high school students in credit bearing dual enrollment coursework such as the one credit Career Development & Interpersonal Skills course offered at Miles Community College or any similar courseMust include a support letter or email from partner high school(s) to supply sufficient numbers of student participantsMust include a plan to develop and disseminate a 30 second video featuring the credential and it’s need and thus encouraging high school students, their families and others to consider it as a fieldA high need, short-term credential is considered a certificate that can be earned in one or two semesters (in this case while students also matriculate in their high school studies).Ideal grants would support students to completion in the credential area prior to or along with their high school diploma. Potential credential areas could include (please note this is not an exhaustive list of opportunities):CybersecurityRespiratory therapyRoboticsAuto-techEducationNursingMachiningPhotonicsDental Assistant

Ineligibility

Applications that do not permit roll out and completion in next academic year will not be considered.