PCP Responsive Inclusion in School Environments (PCP RISE), FFY2027–28
Applications are open through November 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is offering a competitive federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act grant to help qualifying Minnesota local education agencies improve inclusive special education placements through person-centered planning, culturally responsive practices, family engagement, and staff professional development. This is applicant-facing financial assistance, not a vendor procurement.
Applicant-level funding and award period
The official instructions estimate approximately $27,700 total funding for one award (and allow MDE to offer an amount different from the request). This is the anticipated single-award amount, not a per-student payment or guaranteed entitlement. The initial project period is anticipated to be January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028. Continuation is contingent on progress, future funding, and agency priorities. The instructions do not state a mandatory applicant matching percentage.
Eligible applicants and important eligibility discrepancy
The solicitation addresses Minnesota local education agencies, intermediate districts, educational and special education cooperatives, public school districts, charter schools, and Tribally Controlled Schools, subject to the detailed applicant criteria. Applicants must document a demographic minority group of students with disabilities that is overrepresented in restrictive educational settings and has significant outcome gaps. Important: The controlling instructions conflict on the required group-size threshold. Page 1 describes at least 20% of special education enrollment plus at least 100 students; page 3’s expressly labeled Eligibility Criteria instead states at least 30% of special education enrollment. Applicants must obtain authoritative MDE clarification before relying on either threshold. Do not assume that meeting the 20% description alone satisfies the eligibility criteria.
Activities, limits, and obligations
Supported activities include training licensed special education staff in person-centered practices and the Charting the LifeCourse framework; improving individualized education program (IEP) collaboration with students and families; culturally responsive planning; assessment of placement decisions; and evaluation of integrated educational outcomes. The detailed budget must identify necessary, reasonable expenses tied to the grant work plan. Grantees must participate in the MN Connect Community of Practice, arrange Charting the LifeCourse training for key staff including trainer-level certification of at least two staff, and provide semiannual program and outcome reports. Awards are subject to a signed Official Grant Award Notification, accounting, reporting, and applicable federal and Minnesota grant restrictions.
How to apply
Read the official MDE program page and full 17-page instructions. Prepare the signed application cover sheet, assurances, and scored project narrative in one PDF plus the completed separate Excel budget. The applicant needs a Minnesota SWIFT Supplier ID, federal Unique Entity Identifier, and applicable MDE organization number. Send the application to the MDE competitive grants submission address identified in the controlling instructions, with the required PCP Rise FFY27/28 subject line. The complete application must be received by November 6, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Fax, MEGS submission, and Google Docs links are not accepted.
Official source and verification limitation
Official MDE PCP RISE program announcement; Controlling PCP RISE FFY27–28 application instructions (PDF). Research checked October 30, 2026. Eligibility requires clarification: The official instructions conflict between 20% and 30% student-group thresholds. Prospective applicants should obtain written guidance from MDE and review any official amendments before determining eligibility.