Inclusive Higher Education Grants

 

Increasing sustainable opportunities for inclusive postsecondary education for people with intellectual and developmental disability in Minnesota

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education administers the Inclusive Higher Education Grants per Minnesota Statutes 135A.162.

Established in the 2023 Minnesota Legislative session, the Office of Higher Education will administer a new Inclusive Higher Education competitive grants program for Minnesota postsecondary institutions to develop new or enhance existing initiatives with the purpose of increasing overall enrollment and access for students with an intellectual and developmental disability.

"Inclusive higher education" means institution-approved access to higher education for students with an intellectual and developmental disability that allows for the same rights, privileges, experiences, benefits, and outcomes as a matriculating student’s college experience, resulting in earning a higher education credential. 

Who is Eligible to Apply?

An eligible application must meet all of the following:

• A public, nonprofit, or tribal postsecondary two-year or four-year institution 
• Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
• Meets the eligibility requirements under section 136A.103

If awarded grant funds, a grantee must adhere to all of the following:

• Adopt the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education standards aligned with the model Program Accreditation Standards for Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities.
• Apply for and obtain the Comprehensive Transition Postsecondary (CTP) Program approval from the US Department of Education.  Institutions will apply to amend their Federal Financial Aid application to include inclusive higher education. This opens Federal and State financial aid eligibility for students with an intellectual and developmental disability who go to college in Minnesota at an institution with CTP approval
• Provide a 25% match for the grant funds, either monetary or in-kind
• Participate in independent program evaluation requirements
• Offer enrollment to students with an intellectual and developmental disability 
• Collaborate with the Office of Higher Education, Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center, and key stakeholders in the development of the inclusive higher education initiative
• Join the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Consortium

Funding

The total appropriation for Inclusive Higher Education Grants during fiscal year 2024 is $750,000. The appropriation includes up to five percent allocation for agency administrative costs. Thus, the total amount available for grant awards in this RFP is $712,000.

Applicants may apply annually for and receive awards up to $200,000 per year for up to four years. Applicants may apply annually for and receive awards up to $100,000 per year in subsequent years for up to a total of ten years of funding.

Please Note: There is a 25% match requirement, in-kind or monetary, to receive funding for this grant.

2024 Request for Proposals

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is currently accepting proposals for the Inclusive Higher Education Grant.

Please review the FY24 Inclusive Higher Education Grant Request for Proposals before beginning the submission process.

FY24 Request for Proposals

---

Inclusive Higher Education Grant Proposal Workshop

June 24, 2024  |  11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Join the Inclusive Higher Education Grant Proposal Workshop to learn more about writing your grant proposal. Join with the link below or add the workshop to your calendar.

Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 289 885 630 490
Passcode: orYi7d

Dial in by phone
+1 651-395-7448,,277615133# United States, St. Paul
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 277 615 133#

---

Timeline and Application Process

Date	Description
June 10, 2024	Request for Proposals available to applicants
June 24, 2024	Inclusive Higher Education Grant Proposal Workshop (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Add to Calendar
July 18, 2024	Technical Questions Deadline at 4:00 p.m.
July 25, 2024	Deadline for receipt of full proposals at 4:30 p.m.
August 8, 2024	Committee begins review of proposals
August 22, 2024	Committee recommendations submitted to OHE for review
August 29, 2024	Applicants notified of award decisions
Sept. 5, 2024	Mandatory grantee orientation (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

Proposal Cover Sheet 

Applicants must complete a proposal cover sheet through this form.

Once submitted, applicants will be able to save their responses to the form, or may email GWI.OHE@state.mn.us to request a copy.

In addition, applicants must email the following items to GWI.OHE@state.mn.us:

• Proposal narrative
• Project budget  (Use Project Budget Form)
• Letter(s) of support from institution’s leadership team
• Resumes

Proposals must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on July 25, 2024.

Who do I Contact with Questions?

For Inclusive Higher Education Grants Program questions, please contact the Minnesota Office of Higher Education at GWI.OHE@state.mn.us. 

Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the Institute on Community Integration, at the University of Minnesota, partnered to establish the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance (TA) Center, with the purpose of creating access and support for self-sustaining inclusive postsecondary education options across the state. The TA Center will:

• Coordinate and facilitating the statewide initiative to expand and enhance inclusive higher education opportunities;
• Provide expertise in inclusive higher education for students with intellectual disabilities;
• Provide technical assistance to Minnesota institutions of higher education and local education agencies; and
• Provide information to students with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education and TA Center will be collaborating on the Inclusive Higher Education Grants Program.

Learn more about the TA Center online at https://mihec.ici.umn.edu/.