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.
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is currently accepting proposals for the Inclusive Higher Education Grant. Please review the FY26 Inclusive Higher Education Grant Request for Proposals before beginning the submission process.
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.
Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. CT on May 15, 2025 through the OHE Competitive Online Grants Management system.
Applicants must be available the first week of June 2025 for the virtual proposal review presentation to give a ten minute presentation on their proposed project and respond to reviewers' questions. Invitations for Presentations with specific times and days will be sent in the week of May 19, 2025.
FY26 Request for Proposal Application Timeline
- April 15, 2025 (1:00 pm CT) - Inclusive Higher Education Grant proposal workshop
- May 1, 2025 (4:00m pm CT) - Deadline to submit technical questions
- May 15, 2025 (4:00m pm CT) - Deadline to submit proposal
- First week of June 2025 - Virtual applicant presentations and Q&A (an email invitation will be sent to applicants the week of May 19, 2025)
- June 18, 2025 - Award notice to applicants
- July 10, 2025 (1:00-2:30 pm CT) - Mandatory grantee orientation (grantees will receive a virtual Microsoft Teams invitation after their award notice)
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
Based upon current grant utilization among grantees and received appropriations, up to $1,228,328 is available for this grant round. The intention is to award as many grants as possible within the means of available funds. Proposals may be partially funded depending on the availability of funds and/or budget efficiency. Any future grant rounds will be contingent upon available funds.
Applicants may apply annually for and receive awards up to $200,000 per year for up to four years. Applicants may apply annually for and receive awards up to $100,000 per year in subsequent years for up to a total of ten years of funding.
Please Note: There is a 25% match requirement, in-kind or monetary, to receive funding for this grant.
- Lake Superior 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 will be collaborating on the Inclusive Higher Education Grants Program.
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.
- Dual Training Grant
- Dual Training Grant: Legal Cannabis Industry
- Hunger Free Campus Grants
- Inclusive Higher Education Grant
- Intervention for College Attendance Grant
- Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students (EAPS) Grant
- Concurrent Enrollment Grant
- Student Parent Support Initiative Grant
- Student Loan Debt Counseling Grant
- Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant
- Tomassoni ALS Research Grant
- Previous Competitive Grant Programs