Pathways Program
Pathways Program supports business and education partnerships that deliver job training for low-income Minnesotans, building career paths while meeting businesses’ current and future workforce needs.
This grant was recently updated
Pathways added 2027 deadlines: regular applications are due January 25, May 3 and September 13; short-form applications are due February 16, May 24 and October 4, respectively. No applications will be accepted for the tentative December 6, 2027 board meeting; other schedule details also changed.
Funder: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Due Dates: January 25, 2027 (Regular) | February 16, 2027 (Short Form) | May 3, 2027 (Regular) | May 24, 2027 (Short Form) | September 13, 2027 (Regular) | October 4, 2027 (Short Form)
Funding Amounts: Up to $500,000 per project; Short Form requests up to $50,000; projects average one to two years
Summary: Supports business-linked training, new jobs, and career paths for low-income people in Minnesota.
Key Information: Participating businesses must contribute cash or in-kind support of at least $0.50 per $1 in grant funds.
Description
The Pathways Program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development through the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP). It funds partnerships between businesses and accredited Minnesota educational institutions or workforce development intermediaries to develop and deliver training specific to business needs. The program focuses on people with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and people transitioning from public assistance to work.
Pathways supports training, new jobs, and career paths while helping businesses meet current and future workforce needs. Within MJSP’s broader effort to expand employment opportunities and retain high-quality jobs in Minnesota, the emphasis is on short-term training for full-time employment in growing sectors of the state’s economy.
