Inclusive Higher Education Competitive Grant Process (Minnesota)

Inclusive Higher Education Competitive Grant Process (Minnesota) is sponsored by Minnesota Office of Higher Education (in collaboration with the Institute on Community Integration's Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center). These grants aim to boost college options for Minnesota students with intellectual disabilities by providing funding to eligible Minnesota higher education institutions that create or enhance postsecondary education programs offering meaningful credentials upon graduation.

Inclusive Higher Education Grants | MN Office of Higher Education Inclusive Higher Education Grants Increasing inclusive postsecondary education opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disability in Minnesota.

This competitive grant program provides funding to support Minnesota postsecondary institutions in enhancing or developing new initiatives that increase overall enrollment and access for students with an intellectual and developmental disability and was established during the 2023 Minnesota Legislative session ( Minnesota Statutes 135A. 162 ).

"Inclusive higher education" means institution-approved access to higher education for students with an intellectual and developmental disability that allows for the same rights, privileges, experiences, benefits, and outcomes as a matriculating student’s college experience, resulting in earning a higher education credential. Who is eligible to apply?

An eligible application must meet all of the following: A public, nonprofit, or tribal postsecondary two-year or four-year institution Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission Meets the eligibility requirements under section 136A. 103 What are eligible expenses? Grantees may use funds to enhance existing or develop new inclusive higher education pathways.

Eligible expenses include: Personnel Costs (Salaries and Fringe) Student Support (Advising and Peer Mentoring) Marketing, Communication, and Outreach How much money can a grantee receive? Grantees may receive awards up to $200,000 per year for up to four years. Grantees may receive awards up to $100,000 per year in subsequent years for up to a total of ten years of funding.

All future grant rounds will be contingent upon available funds. Is there a match requirement? Yes.

There is a 25% match requirement, either in-kind or monetary. April 16, 2026 : Request for Proposal posted on OHE website and available in application portal at: https://applicationportal. ohe.

mn. gov/Competitive-Grant-Applications/ May 14, 2026 (4:00 p. m.

CT) : Deadline for submitting technical questions May 21, 2026 (4:00 p. m. CT) : Proposal submission deadline June 8 – June 11, 2026 : Required Applicant Proposal Presentation – Virtual June 30, 2026 : Award notices sent to applicants 2026 Inclusive Higher Education Grants Request for Proposal Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 p.

m. CT on May 21, 2026 through the application portal at: https://applicationportal. ohe.

mn. gov/Competitive-Grant-Applications/ A ten-year plan is required to be submitted with a proposal. This ten-year budget template is provided as a tool that can be used to fulfill this requirement however applicants are not required to use it.

Inclusive Higher Ed 10 year Budget Template May 14, 2026 (4:00 p. m. CT) is the deadline for submitting technical questions.

Answers to technical questions will be posted here and updated weekly until the deadline.

Lake Superior College - $200,000 grant Central Lakes College - $200,000 grant Lake Superior College - $185,864 grant Normandale College - $200,000 grant Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center The Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the Institute on Community Integration , at the University of Minnesota, partnered to establish the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance (TA) Center , with the purpose of creating access and support for self-sustaining inclusive postsecondary education options across the state.

The TA Center will: Coordinate and facilitating the statewide initiative to expand and enhance inclusive higher education opportunities; Provide expertise in inclusive higher education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Provide technical assistance to Minnesota institutions of higher education and local education agencies; and Provide information to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education and TA Center collaborate on the Inclusive Higher Education Grants Program. The TA Center holds an annual conference, Learning Community events, and Community of Practice Gatherings. For more information about these events, visit TA Center News and Events .

The TA Center recently released the results of a statewide needs assessment to better understand the current levels of awareness, attitudes, and perceived needs related to inclusive higher education among Minnesota students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and educators. The results are available here . For more information, visit the Technical Assistance Center website .

Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Annual Report According to legislation, the annual Inclusive Higher Education report will be completed by the Director of the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center.

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