Partnership Grant Program

Partnership Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Minnesota Job Skills Partnership
Amount: Up to US $500,000
Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Summary

The Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) offers a Partnership Grant Program aimed at enhancing workforce training and development in high-demand sectors. Grants of up to $400,000 are available for accredited educational institutions partnering with businesses to create tailored training programs. These funds can cover essential training costs, ensuring that Minnesota's workforce remains competitive and skilled. The initiative aims to foster collaboration between businesses and educational entities, addressing the state's evolving workforce needs effectively.

Overview

The Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) works with businesses, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities and keep high-quality jobs in the state. The goal is to target short-term training for full-time employment in the growth sectors of the state’s economy.We offer grants through a variety of programs to offset training-related expenses incurred by business, industry, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to meet current and future workforce needs. Partnership Program Our main training grant option, the Partnership program, focuses on providing training for both new and existing employees of participating businesses throughout the state. 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 reimbursement are not eligible. However, wages paid to employees during training may be counted towards the required matching contribution. 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 for pre-development funds. As such, any potential pre-development grant applications should be discussed with MJSP staff prior to the submission of a proposal. Up to $500,000 of Partnership funds per grant can be awarded for a project. A “Short Form” application is available for grants of $50,000 or less, to assist smaller businesses in getting the customized training they need.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Grants are awarded to educational institutions with businesses as partners.Accredited public and/or private educational institutions partnering with businesses within the state are eligible.All projects must have at least one educational institution and one business working together.Cash and/or in-kind contributions from the participating business(es) must match Partnership funds on at least a one-to-one ratio.Funds may be used for training-related costs or educational infrastructure improvements necessary to support businesses located or intending to locate in Minnesota.Funds may be used for training-related costs such as curriculum development, instruction, training materials and supplies, training equipment, and instructor travel.

Ineligibility

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