Disability Services Innovation Grants

People in Minnesota who have disabilities want the same great quality of life that most people in Minnesota enjoy: to work and earn money, live in housing of their choice, choose their care providers, their friends and social activities. It is also important to maximize the capacity, strengths and unique abilities of families to best support their family members with a disability.

The Disability Services Division launched its innovation grants program in 2016 to support new and innovative ideas to achieve these outcomes effectively and efficiently. See the Innovation grants awarded webpage for a list of grantees in prior rounds.

Timeline for 2024 Innovation Grants RFP

Jan. 4, 2024: Innovation Grants RFP process opens for small and large grants.
January 2024: Information session.
4 p.m. Feb 2., 2024: Small grants RFP closes - Letter of interest (LOI) for small grant process due.
4 p.m. Feb. 29, 2024: Large grants RFP closes – proposals due.
Feb. 27, 2024: State will invite submitters of qualified LOIs to submit full proposals for small grants.
April 5, 2024: Small grants – full proposals due.
March/April 2024: Review of applications.
May/June 2024: Negotiate contracts.
July/August 2024: Grantee anticipated start date.

Overview
Applicant resources
FAQ
Contact

The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through its Disability Services Division, is seeking proposals from qualified applicants to support innovative strategies to improve outcomes for people with disabilities. We will give priority to proposals to serve people eligible for or who receive home and community-based services.

Applications are closed.

The 2024 RFP includes two programs:

Innovation Small Grant Program (grants up to $60,000 per year)
- $420,000 available per year
- Services include:
  - Helping people with disabilities live in integrated housing of their choice.
  - Helping people with disabilities work in integrated, competitive employment.
  - Developing spaces that advance and promote community inclusion.
  - Helping people with disabilities access safe, efficient and accessible transportation.
- The Small Grant Program application is a two-step process. Applicants will submit a letter of interest (LOI) as the first step. If the state judges the applicant qualified, we will invite them to submit a full proposal as the second step.
Innovation Large Grant Program (grants greater than $60,000 per year)
- $1,000,000 available each fiscal year
- Services include:
  - Helping people with disabilities live in integrated housing of their choice.
  - Helping people with disabilities work in integrated, competitive employment.
  - Developing spaces that advance and promote community inclusion.
  - Helping people with disabilities access safe, efficient and accessible transportation.
Services under both grant processes must complement and supplement what can already be paid for through other sources of funds. Do not apply for grant funds to perform services that already have a funding source.

Interested applicants can find other grant opportunities on the DHS Open grants, RFPs and RFIs webpage.
Resources for applicants
Background information
For answers to frequently asked questions, see the Innovation grants section of the DSD grants FAQ page.
For questions about the Innovation grants, contact DHS using the Disability Services Division Grants Contact Form.