The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Explore Grant: Section 504
As a continued part of Michigan’s efforts to grow and diversify the educator workforce and reduce educator shortages, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is excited to continue the Future Proud Michigan Educator (Future PME) Campaign with grants for Local Education Agencies, Public School Academies, and Intermediate School Districts.
- Create, sustain, or expand EXPLORE programs for students in grades 6-12. Grants of up to $10,000 per school are available.
and/or
- Provide tuition grants for recent EXPLORE graduates who are enrolled in a pathway to traditional teacher certification and are employed by the applicant. Grants of up to $10,000 per candidate are available.
EXPLORE Grant Timeline
The Office of Educator Excellence (OEE) would like to congratulate all awardees of the Section 504 EXPLORE grant.
OEE has developed a separate webpage that lists all grant awardees: EXPLORE Award Listings. In addition, the link to the award announcement can be found here: School Districts To Use Grant Funds to Help Students Explore Educator Careers,
Award Period: October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025
Grant Details
These grants jointly aim to combat teacher shortages and to promote a diverse and representative teacher workforce by incentivizing cohesive systems of support for future educators. Through this grant, we will encourage models that enable a district’s students – especially demographically representative and historically marginalized populations – to see the recruitment and retention process to its end: from exploration and preparation, to early employment and clinical practice, to returning to the district as a certified teacher.
EXPLORE Program Grant
- Purpose: This grant funds the development and maintenance of districts’ EXPLORE programming for students in grades 6-12 who are interested in a career in teaching. In the Future PME EXPLORE programs, local and intermediate school districts will develop hands-on learning experiences in teaching for students. As a partner, MDE will provide districts with flexible models for implementation; EXPLORE content, competencies, and curriculum; and free professional development for educators.
- Funding Structure: Districts are awarded up to $10,000 per participating secondary school building.
- Eligibility: Districts who have established EXPLORE programs OR who are developing or expanding EXPLORE programs.
Employed Graduate Grant
- Purpose: This grant bridges a gap in support* for aspiring educators by funding pre-teacher preparation program coursework for EXPLORE graduates. Awarded districts will employ their EXPLORE graduates (part-time or full-time) and will offer support that focuses on retention through the transition from high school to an educator preparation program (EPP), with the goal of hiring their graduates as teachers upon initial certification. The grant incentivizes the creation of GYO systems of support for teacher candidates, including viable employment during teacher preparation and more experience working with students/teachers.
- Funding Structure: The grant will reimburse districts up to $10,000 in tuition costs per graduate pursuing initial teacher certification. The graduate must have participated in the district’s future educator programming; must be employed by the district within the appropriate fiscal year; and must be following an IHE-articulated pathway for teacher preparation and certification at an in-state IHE (including community college, which must have an articulation agreement with an EPP at a four-year institution in place).
- Eligibility: Districts who 1) have established EXPLORE programs AND 2) have established OR are developing GYO programming that supports recent graduates.
*Current supports for aspiring educators include: Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Michigan Reconnect (which begins only at age 21); MI Future Educator Fellowship (which begins only upon EPP enrollment) and MI Future Educator Stipend (which is only available to student teachers). Candidates who begin their pathway at a community college or at an educator preparation institution that requires pre-program coursework for EPP program admission cannot yet access these dedicated financial supports.
Fund Expenditures
For 6th- 12th grade EXPLORE students:- Professional learning aligned with Future PME EXPLORE competencies
- Teacher collaboration and planning for Future PME EXPLORE programs
- Experiences, events, and clubs for Future PME EXPLORE students
- Media and marketing to promote a Future PME EXPLORE programs
For EXPLORE Graduates-as-Staff:
- Tuition, program fees, and testing fees for employed EXPLORE graduates who are on a pathway to traditional teacher certification.
- Note: Graduates may not concurrently be recipients of the MI Future Educator Fellowship/Stipend or Section 27b Grant Funds.
Additional Resources
- OEE has developed this allowable expenses document to assist districts with expenditures for the 504 EXPLORE program. It includes, but is not limited to, an extensive list of expenses that are allowed under the EXPLORE program.
504 EXPLORE Grant Allowable Expenses (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Do applicants have to apply for both grants?
-
Who is eligible to apply?
-
What employment arrangement will qualify a graduate for the tuition award?
-
Which universities and colleges qualify for the tuition award?
-
How will the awarded grant money be disbursed to the district?
-
Are candidates required to return to the district when they are certified?
-
Does the grant cover the cost of the employee’s salary?
-
Is the district expected to support the employed candidate in any way?
-
Can a staff member receive the Community College Guarantee and Section 504 funds?