Governor Polis Announces RISE Grant Opportunity, Creating More Work-Based Learning Opportunities for High-school Students
Polis administration continues to invest in students, schools & workforce
DENVER - Today, at MSU Denver, Governor Polis announced the launch of the fourth and final Response, Innovation, and Student Equity Education (RISE) grant opportunity. This round of RISE grants will invest in programs that expand youth-based apprenticeship opportunities and create more pathways for students to access the skills and experiences needed to begin their careers. Governor Polis allocated $2.5 Million from the GEER fund to create this grant opportunity and support innovative approaches to education.
“We are excited to support innovation and more apprenticeships with RISE grant funding. This will help invest in our students, expand apprenticeships, and better prepare young Coloradans for in-demand jobs,” said Governor Polis. “I am thrilled to announce that this program will now support students in achieving future career goals. Building new pathways for students to participate in apprenticeship opportunities provides incredible experiences, develops Colorado's workforce, and helps students get started in their dream jobs.”
The RISE grant program invests in local programs that develop innovative ways to improve education and provide students with more resources to be successful, especially in high-needs schools. This round of RISE grant funding focuses on expanding youth-based apprenticeship opportunities for high-school students. Youth-based apprenticeship programs allow students to explore different career paths, gain first-hand experience, and begin industry-specific training or post-secondary education requirements before graduating high school. This RISE grant will prioritize programs that develop careers in in-demand industries, serve underrepresented populations, access students in rural or small rural communities, and have or create a Career Development Incentive Program (CDIP) graduation requirement. Eligible recipients include:
- A public local educational provider (LEPs) including:
- School District;
- Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES);
- Charter schools authorized by a School District or BOCES;
- Charter schools authorized by the Charter School Institute;
- Charter Management Organizations (CMOs)
- Education-related entities* that place students at public LEPs in youth-based apprenticeship opportunities;
- Federally-recognized Tribes; and
- Consortia of such entities
- Non-profit or community-based organizations with a demonstrated history of placing students in youth-based apprenticeships. Applicants in this category must collaborate with other public and/or private agencies, such as the LEP, to create programs as comprehensive and high quality as possible.
*An education-related entity is a governmental, nonprofit or for-profit entity within the State that provides services that support preschool, elementary, secondary, or higher education.
The RISE grant announced today will be the fourth RISE funding opportunity. Governor Polis launched the RISE grant program in 2020 to provide funding to develop innovative learning programs that improve students' education experiences and support schools to address the impacts COVID-19 had on education. Since 2020, the RISE program has launched three successful grant opportunities and invested $42 million to improve learning.
Governor Polis continues to take action to develop Colorado’s workforce and create more pathways for Coloradans to advance their careers. This month, Gov. Polis issued an executive order expanding apprenticeship opportunities at state agencies and encouraged other industries to do the same. Additionally, Gov. Polis and partners from the general assembly launched the Care Forward Program and Career Avance Colorado Program which both provide Coloradans access to free credentials for jobs in-demand industries. Earlier this year, Gov. Polis announced the Opportunity Now Grant program which builds partnerships between education institutions and employers to connect qualified Coloradans with in-demand jobs.
Applications for the RISE Grant funding will be accepted today through October 16, 2023, with recipients being announced the last week of October. For full details and to apply for funding, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/governor/risefund
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