2025 Dual Training Grant Request for Proposal Opening March 4

2/25/2025

 

St. Paul, Minn.— The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) announces the opening of the 2025 Dual Training Grant Request for Proposal on March 4, 2025. Grants are awarded to employers to support occupational training in the industries of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services, information technology, child care, transportation, and legal cannabis industry. OHE partners with Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to help employers meet their workforce needs by creating earn-and-learn programs for employees. To date, nearly 3,500 individuals have participated in programs through Dual Training Grant funded programs.

Approximately $5 million, in Dual Training Grants, is available this year for grants to employers and organizations of employers throughout the state. Grant funds are used to support the related instruction component of a dual-training program. The dual-training model pairs on-the-job training with formal related instruction to create a robust learning environment – resulting in skilled employees, also known as dual trainees, and an enhanced company culture. 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.

An additional $1,880,000 is available through the Dual Training Grant: Legal Cannabis Industry to support the dual-training programs of legal cannabis industry employers.

Request for Proposal Writing Workshops available

Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a Request for Proposal Writing Workshop to learn more about applying for the grant. Workshops are offered both virtual and in-person. 

• In-person: Monday, March 10, 2025, 11 a.m. in St. Paul, MN (registrationrequired by 3/6/25)
• In-person: Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 11 a.m. in Bemidji, MN (registration required by 3/10/25)
• Virtual: Friday, March 14, 2025, at 9 a.m. (registration not required)
• Virtual Refresh Version: March 14, 2025 at 11 a.m. (registration not required)

Dual Training Grants Impact

Since program inception in 2015, OHE has awarded 459 Dual Training Grants. Of the 459 grants, 287 have been awarded to companies located outside of the metro, with 172 being awarded in the metro. Additional reporting and breakdowns can be found in the 2025 Dual Training Grant Report or view an archive of grant recipients.

The Dual Training Grant program has proven to be beneficial for employers and trainees, helping employers meet their workforce needs while trainees earn a wage and attain credentials in high-need, high-growth occupations. Interested employers can register now for the workshops on the Office of Higher Education website.

For more information about the Dual Training Grant and the request for application form visit www.ohe.state.mn.us/dualtraininggrant or email gwi.ohe@state.mn.us.