Explore Grant: Section 504

As a continued part of Michigan’s efforts to grow and diversify the educator workforce and reduce educator shortages, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) continues the Future Proud Michigan Educator (Future PME) program with grants available to Michigan intermediate school districts, local education agencies (both traditional school districts and public school academies), and non-public schools.

Section 504 Frequently Asked Questions

The 504 EXPLORE grants are continued through Section 504 of PA 21 of 2026, with $500,000 newly authorized for grantee districts to: 

• Create, sustain, or expand EXPLORE programs for students in grades 6-12. Grants of up to $10,000 per school are available.

and/or

• Provide tuition grants for recent EXPLORE graduates who are enrolled in a pathway to traditional teacher certification and are employed by the applicant. Grants of up to $10,000 per candidate are available.

FY26 504 EXPLORE Grant Timeline

• Award Expenditure Period: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
• Award Notifications: February 19, 2026

FY26 grantees were announced in an official MDE press release in February 2026 and listed on the . 

FY27 504 EXPLORE Application Timeline

• Applications available on NexSys: Estimated late September 2026
• Award Notifications: Estimated mid-December 2026

Instructions on how to apply will be posted here very soon. Districts interested in applying are encouraged to download the FY27 504 EXPLORE Application Template to assist in preparing grant applications. Note that this is a Word document; click the link to download the file.

Grant Details

These grants jointly aim to combat teacher shortages and to promote a diverse and representative teacher workforce by incentivizing cohesive systems of support for future educators. Through this grant, we will encourage models that enable a district’s students, especially demographically representative and historically marginalized populations to see the recruitment and retention process to its end: from exploration and preparation, to early employment and clinical practice, to returning to the district as a certified teacher.

EXPLORE Program Grant

• Purpose: This grant funds the development and maintenance of districts’ EXPLORE programming for students in grades 6-12 who are interested in a career in teaching. In the Future PME EXPLORE programs, local and intermediate school districts will develop hands-on learning experiences in teaching for students. As a partner, MDE will provide districts with flexible models for implementation; EXPLORE content, competencies, and curriculum; and free professional development for educators.
• Funding Structure: Districts are awarded up to $10,000 per participating secondary school building.
• Eligibility: Districts who have established EXPLORE programs OR who are developing or expanding EXPLORE programs.

Tuition Reimbursement for Employed Graduates

• Purpose: This grant bridges a gap in support* for aspiring educators by funding pre-teacher preparation program coursework for EXPLORE graduates. Awarded districts will employ their EXPLORE graduates (part-time or full-time) and will offer support that focuses on retention through the transition from high school to an educator preparation program (EPP), with the goal of hiring their graduates as teachers upon initial certification. The grant incentivizes the creation of GYO systems of support for teacher candidates, including viable employment during teacher preparation and more experience working with students/teachers.
• Funding Structure: The grant will reimburse districts up to $10,000 in tuition costs per graduate looking to pursue initial teacher certification. The graduate must have participated in the district’s future educator programming; must be employed by the district within the appropriate fiscal year; and must be following an IHE-articulated pathway for teacher preparation and certification at an in-state IHE (including community college, which must have an articulation agreement with an EPP at a four-year institution in place).
• Eligibility: Districts who 1) have established EXPLORE programs AND 2) have established OR are developing GYO programming that supports recent graduates.

*Current supports for aspiring educators include: Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Michigan Reconnect (which begins only at age 21); MI Future Educator Fellowship (which begins only upon EPP enrollment) and MI Future Educator Stipend (which is only available to student teachers). Candidates who begin their pathway at a community college or at an educator preparation institution that requires pre-program coursework for EPP program admission cannot yet access these dedicated financial supports.

Fund Expenditures

• Professional learning aligned with Future PME EXPLORE competencies
• Teacher collaboration and planning for Future PME EXPLORE programs
• Experiences, events, and clubs for Future PME EXPLORE students
• Media and marketing to promote a Future PME EXPLORE programs 

EXPLORE Graduates Employed by the district:

• Tuition, program fees, and testing fees for employed EXPLORE graduates who are on a pathway to traditional teacher certification. 
• Note: Graduates may not concurrently be recipients of the MI Future Educator Fellowship/Stipend or Section 27b Grant Funds.