Dual Training Grant: Legal Cannabis Industry

Pairing on-the-job training with related instruction to generate a comprehensive platform for learning

 

The 2023 Minnesota Legislature established the Dual Training Grant: Legal Cannabis Industry (DTG LC) to be administered by the MN Office of Higher Education (OHE) in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). DTG LC is a funding source that generates collaborative and strategic educational solutions between cannabis employers and related instruction training providers across Minnesota. The dual-training model helps cannabis employers meet their workforce needs by pairing on-the-job training with formal related instruction to create a robust learning environment resulting in skilled employees and enhanced company culture. Cannabis employers or organizations of cannabis employers may apply for DTG LC funds to support employees in their attainment of industry-recognized degrees, certificates, or credentials.

Who is Eligible?

An eligible applicant must meet all of the following:

• Be a cannabis employer or organization of cannabis employers, in which the cannabis employer:
  • Operates within the cannabis industry;
  • is a registered medical cannabis manufacturer, Tribal Sovereign Nation, or licensed cannabis business; and
  • aligns with one of the applicant classifications of business entity, nonprofit organization, political subdivision, State of Minnesota, or Tribal Sovereign Nation
• Have or will have a dual-training program which meets competency standards through means of on-the-job training by the employer and related instruction by an eligible training provider
• Employ or will employ an eligible dual trainee
• Have or will enter into agreement with an eligible related instruction training provider
• If annual gross revenue exceeded $25,000,000 in the previous calendar year, pay for at least 25% of related instruction costs
• If a current or prior DTG LC recipient, be in good standing on all grant requirements
• If a current or prior recipient of other Minnesota State grant programs, be in good standing on all grant requirements

More information about registered medical cannabis manufacturers is available online on the Minnesota Department of Health's website - Medical Cannabis Manufacturers.

More information about licensed cannabis businesses is available online on the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management website - General Licenses. Important to note, grant applicants must be licensed by the proposal deadline to be an eligible applicant.

What Related Instruction Training is Eligible?

Related instruction is an opportunity for dual trainees to learn the fundamentals of occupations through formal training from a training provider. An eligible related instruction program must meet all of the following:

• Provided by an eligible related instruction training provider
• Meets one or more identified competency standards
• Instructor-led for a majority of the training
• Results in the dual trainee receiving an eligible industry-recognized degree, certificate, or credential

How Much Money Can a Grantee Receive?

Up to $1,880,000 is available for the 2024 grant round. A grantee can receive up to $150,000 for related instruction costs, of which a single dual trainee can benefit from $6,000. In addition, a grantee can receive up to $15,000 for trainee support costs. Grantees receive funds through a reimbursement process. Grantees pay related instruction costs and OHE reimburses grantees for related instruction costs. In some cases, a cost match is required of grantees. Allowable related instruction costs include tuition, fees, books, and materials. Allowable trainee support costs include transportation, mileage, lodging, meals, tutoring services, translation services, interpreter services, and/or accessibility services.

2025 Tentative Request for Proposal Timeline

Request for Proposal Opens: March 4, 2025
Proposal Writing Workshop: TBD
Technical Question Deadline: TBD
Request for Proposal Closes: April 15, 2025
Applicants Notified about Awards: May 23, 2025
Grantees Publicly Announced: May 27, 2025

Resources from Prior Request for Proposal

2024 Dual Training Grant: Legal Cannabis Industry Request for Proposal

The Dual Training Grant: Legal Cannabis Industry Proposal Writing Workshop was held on Monday, July 1st at 1:00pm.

• 2024 Dual Training Grant: Legal Cannabis Industry Request for Proposal Workshop Recording
• 2024 Dual Training Grant: Legal Cannabis Industry Request for Proposal Presentation

Dual Training Grant Resources

Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline
Pipeline Related Instruction Inventory

Who do I Contact with Questions?

For Dual Training Grant Questions, please contact OHE at jacquelynn.mol.sletten@state.mn.us or (651) 355-0609

For Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline Questions, please contact DLI at Pipeline.Program@state.mn.us