Innovation grants are competitive funds managed by a Talent Consortium. The funds can be used for curriculum creation, project-based certification programs, equipment, full-time staff, industry mentors, professional development, competency-based pilot programs, cybersecurity incentives, career navigators and teacher shortage relief programs.
The resources listed here will help your Talent Consortium apply for part of the $59 million in innovation grants available through the Marshall Plan for Talent. The application process is a three-step process, which includes a Concept Summary, Talent Agreement and the final grant application.
Important Application Tip: Make sure your applications explicitly define:
- a link between where a student is today and how the consortium will connect students to postsecondary partners;
- how postsecondary partners are participating in the consortium to build a pathway for students to postsecondary experiences; and
- how K-12 will adjust its own programming to get students to that industry-recognized credential or postsecondary credit prior to high school graduation to meet the needs of postsecondary partners.
The application steps apply to all funding, except for Converting to a Competency-Based Instruction Model - a talent consortium that ONLY applies for this funding will not need to participate in Step 1 and Step 2. More details on how to apply for Competency-Based funds are coming soon.
