Future Forward Innovation Grant
The Future Forward Innovation Grant funds partnerships to design accelerated education-to-career pathways in Tennessee, leading students to credentials for high-demand, high-wage jobs through innovative, scalable models.
Funder: Tennessee SCORE
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $75,000 per grant for a 12-month project; includes participation in a year-long fellowship (Tennessee Pathways Incubator).
Summary: Supports innovative education and employer partnerships in Tennessee to design and launch accelerated pathways leading students to credentials for high-demand, high-wage careers.
Key Information: Requires partnership between a nonprofit, an education provider, and an employer; mandatory in-person convenings in Nashville.
Description
The Future Forward Innovation Grant, administered by Tennessee SCORE, is designed to catalyze transformative, locally driven solutions that bridge the gap between education and economic opportunity in Tennessee. The program invests in innovative partnerships between education institutions and employers to create and launch new, accelerated pathways that lead students to “impact credentials”—degrees or certifications aligned with high-demand, high-wage jobs. In addition to funding, recipients join the Tennessee Pathways Incubator: a one-year, cohort-based fellowship that provides expert mentorship, strategic support, and opportunities for shared learning to develop and scale high-quality education-to-career pathways. The emphasis is on student-centered, market-driven, and collaborative approaches that can be replicated or scaled to serve more students and address workforce needs across diverse industries.
