In support of Future Proud Michigan Educators, the governor and legislature worked together on a budget that supports the state's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan goals. This page will be updated as new grant opportunities become available.
Local and intermediate school districts are eligible to apply to implement or sustain EXPLORE programs for students in grades 6-12 interested in the teaching profession or to support recent EXPLORE graduates with tuition expenses on the path to certification.
To support school employees who desire to earn certification, grants are available to local and intermediate school districts to build Grow Your Own programs in partnership with educator preparation providers.
This program provides a method for districts to offer a paid mentorship and salary for military veterans seeking educator certification.
This grant has an ongoing application window, and we are currently accepting applications. Please review the instructions below on how your district can apply.
Please view the Military Veteran's Grant website for additional information, including application details.
Several grants are also available to support current educators. Information about these opportunities will be updated as it becomes available.
This program has 3 separate grants to support mentoring and induction programs in Michigan, including (1) one to ISD’s or other education entities to create standards and resources for mentors, (2) one to an education or research entity to evaluate programs, and (3) one to districts to support stipends, resources, and professional learning for mentors and new teachers, administrators, and counselors.
Local and intermediate school districts will be eligible to apply. Teachers who hold National Board Certification, or those in pursuit of this certification, may be eligible to receive grant money.
Districts and intermediate districts are eligible to apply to implement a Student Loan Repayment Program for eligible individuals who are participating in a federal student loan repayment program. Eligible participants can receive up to $200 or $400 per month.
Please view the Student Loan Repayment Program website for more details.
Several additional grants and funding opportunities to support the educator workforce are available through partner offices within the Department of Education and other government agencies.
To learn more about each of these programs, visit the individual webpages or contact the listed agency.
The MI Future Educator Fellowship will offer $10,000 scholarship to up to 2,500 future educators every year.
To be eligible, candidates must be admitted to an approved Michigan educator preparation program (EPP) and pursuing initial teacher certification. Candidates must also be enrolled in enough coursework to be considered full-time by their EPP, or the equivalent of full-time participation in an alternative certification program. For purposes of eligibility for the Fellowship, "alternative certification program" is defined as an approved Michigan alternative route program.
For additional information, contact
MiLEAP-MIStudentAid@Michigan.gov.
The MI Future Educator Student Teacher Stipend is a program to support Michigan’s hardworking student teachers as they continue their journey to being in the classroom full-time.
Up to $9,600 per semester will be available for use towards allowable student teaching expenses (tuition, living expenses, childcare, etc.).
For additional information, contact
MiLEAP-MIStudentAid@Michigan.gov.
Intermediate school districts with a CTE teacher on staff or who pledge to hire a CTE teacher may apply for funding for the recruitment of, retention of, and coverage of continued education costs for CTE teachers.
For more information or support, please contact Ms. Candace Vinson at VinsonC@Michigan.gov.
Intermediate school districts may apply for grants to cover tuition costs up to $800.00 per credit hour to support certified teachers working under the authorization of a special education teacher temporary approval to earn special education endorsements.
For more information, contact mde-ose@Michigan.Gov.
Section 31a At-Risk funding is allocated to local education agencies (LEAs) to provide differentiated support to eligible students and teachers based on student needs. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, districts in Opportunity Index Bands 5 and 6 may use up to 30 percent of the district’s allocation for initiatives designed to support the recruitment and retention of staff.
For additional information, contact MDE-Section31a@michigan.gov.
31n(6) funds are allocated to intermediate school districts (ISDs) to add licensed behavioral health providers and 31n(5) funds are allocated to child and adolescent health centers to place licensed master’s level behavioral health providers in schools.
31aa funds are allocated to local education agencies (LEAs) and intermediate school districts (ISDs) for improving the mental health and safety of students and allowable expenditures include hiring or contracting for support staff for student mental health needs.
SMART provides stipends for first- and second-year school psychology, school social work, and school counseling graduate students interning in intermediate school districts (ISDs) and local education agencies (LEAs), both traditional public school districts and public school academies (PSAs).
Designated grants are allocated to a single district or intermediate school district for a specific cause. Depending on the statutory requirements, these funds are often used to support a program with broader impact than the single district recipient.
Funded through Section 27g, the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative provides specialized services to students across the state, including special education, vocational training, and early childhood education. Their goal is to support the success of every learner.
Funded through Section 27p, Talent Together helps Michiganders become certified teachers. Candidates receive their education for FREE while earning an income. Talent Together is an innovative partnership between Michigan intermediate school districts, supported by the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative, in collaboration with colleges and universities.
Funded through Section 99x, Teach for America’s TeachMichigan supports teacher recruitment, retention, and development in under-resourced schools across Michigan.
Funded through Section 27r, the West Michigan Teacher Collaborative strives to make teacher certification more attainable. The West Michigan Teacher Collaborative is a Grow Your Own program to support school employees in districts in West Michigan in becoming teachers.
Funded through Section 27s, the Black Male Educators Alliance initially focused on increasing the percentage of Black male educators in the classroom. However, the organization's vision has since evolved to encompass the empowerment of students, educators, school leaders, and educational policies, with the goal of transforming the educational landscape of education for Black and Brown communities nationwide.
Funded through Section 94d, OPTIMISE, is a taskforce that aims to identify barriers to attracting and training qualified personnel to work with children with disabilities, analyze current educator preparation process, attritions rates for qualified personnel leaving the field of special education in addition to analyzing the state’s licensing requirements surrounding special education credentialing.
