Quick Facts
| Funder | Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) |
|---|---|
| Award Amount | Varies by RFP (21st CCLC: typically $50K-$300K+ per site) |
| Eligible Grades | K-12 |
| Focus Areas | STEM, after-school programs, CS, academic enrichment |
| Application Due | Multiple cycles -- check education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/grants |
| More Info | https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/grants/ |
About This Grant
The Minnesota Department of Education publishes multiple competitive grant RFPs each year through its grants page. Programs vary by year and include both state-funded initiatives and federally funded programs that MDE administers.
One of the most significant recurring programs is the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant, which funds before-school, after-school, and summer learning programs. Eligible programs provide academic enrichment in STEM, reading, and other subjects, and can include CS coding clubs, robotics teams, and maker space activities.
Other MDE competitive grants may cover teacher professional development, early literacy, Native American education, and special populations. New RFPs are posted throughout the year. Set up an alert or check the MDE grants page regularly to catch new opportunities.
How Forward Education Kits Fit
21st CCLC-funded after-school programs regularly use Forward Education robotics and coding kits to run CS enrichment activities. We provide documentation and curriculum maps that help programs demonstrate alignment with academic enrichment goals required by MDE.
How Forward Education Helps
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents mapped to Minnesota K-12 standards, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for your application. Contact us before you submit so we can help you build a strong case.
