Opportunity Overview
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is administering $135 million in competitive 2026-27 Out-of-School Time (OST) funding under Michigan Public Act 25 of 2026, Section 32n. The program supports before-school, after-school and summer learning that expands access, accelerates learning and reduces participation costs for families.
The current MiLEAP program page states that applications are open through September 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET and are submitted through the GEMS system.
Intent to Apply: MiLEAP’s live program page now states that the Intent to Apply window has closed. Only organizations that completed the required Intent step and already have access to the final GEMS application should continue toward submission.
Eligible Applicants
Published eligible applicant categories include 501(c)(3) community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, federally recognized Indian Tribal governments, institutions of higher education, public libraries, cities and municipalities, and intermediate school districts. Applicants must also satisfy applicable child-care or camp licensing requirements or qualify for an exemption.
Funding and Program Requirements
Funding is calculated primarily at the program-site level according to school-year and summer service schedules in the RFP. The statewide pool is $135 million. MiLEAP’s RFP provides an example in which one site serving both school-year and summer programming requests $273,500; MiLEAP retains discretion over final award amounts. The RFP does not establish a single universal applicant-level maximum because applicants may operate multiple eligible sites.
Minimum service expectations vary by program period. The RFP requires school-year programming of at least 60 days, at least 15 participating students per day and at least 1.5 hours per day, and/or summer programming of at least 24 days with at least four hours of programming per day.
Allowable Uses and Vendor Pathway
Allowable enrichment expressly includes health and wellness, physical fitness and STEM. MiLEAP’s Use of Grant Funds guidance also expressly permits vendor services for specialized programming through an outside provider, including staff, supplies/materials and use of specialized equipment or technology, ideally under a written contract or memorandum of understanding.
Administrative costs are capped at 10% of the award. Capital improvements and permanent renovations are unallowable. Pre-award expenses, including grant-writing services, are also unallowable.
Atlas N9+ Fit Analysis
N9+ Fit Score: deferred pending completion of the controlling verification gate. This is not a telehealth grant and N9+ should not be forced into a generic equipment purchase. The legitimate path is a defined health-and-wellness or health/STEM enrichment service delivered by or with an eligible OST grantee, with the N9+ device/platform used as part of structured programming and measurable student outcomes. MiLEAP expressly allows vendor services and specialized equipment/technology within contracted programming, which makes a vendor/subcontract role plausible.
Dr. Miltie, LLC is not listed among eligible prime-applicant categories. The appropriate structure is therefore an eligible applicant-led pursuit with Dr. Miltie considered as a contracted technology/programming vendor where the applicant and MiLEAP rules support that design.
Application and Registration
Applicants use GEMS and must have a MiLogin for Business account for required grant-system steps. The mandatory Intent to Apply window is now closed; do not originate a new applicant for this cycle. Prior Intent filers with GEMS application access may continue toward the final submission deadline. The final GEMS application deadline is September 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Applicants should confirm all current GEMS certifications, licensing or exemption documentation, site budgets and program schedules before submission.
Next Steps
Eligible Michigan organizations should confirm licensing or exemption status, define the OST sites and service calendar, select a qualifying enrichment model, complete GEMS registration and application requirements, and submit before September 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Organizations considering an N9+-supported health/wellness enrichment component should document the service model, student outcomes, vendor scope, technology use and contract terms rather than treating the device as a stand-alone purchase.
Verified sources: MiLEAP 2026-27 OST Grant Information; 2026-27 OST RFP; 2026-27 Use of Grant Funds.