TECH PREP MINI-GRANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We appreciate your interest in applying for a Tech Prep Mini-Grant.  For 2008-09, the Kern/South Tulare Tech Prep Consortium has approved $65,250 for mini-grants. Bakersfield College will award 18 mini-grants of up to $2,500, Taft College will award 2 mini-grants of up to $2,500, Porterville College will award 7 mini-grants of up to $2,000, and Cerro Coso College will award 5 mini-grants of up to $250.

One mini-grant per school will be approved.  If your mini-grant request is for equipment it will be forwarded to the State Chancellor Grant Monitor for pre-approval.  Your justification should clearly indicate the benefit to students, numbers affected, student outcomes, etc.  

The Tech Prep program in general is about building the following systems:  Programs of Study, Integration of academic and career technical instruction, in-service professional development for teachers, faculty, and administrators that supports Tech Prep programs, professional development for counselors, provide equal access to CTE programs to individuals who are members of special populations, and develop preparatory services to assist Tech Prep program participants. 

Tech Prep funds cannot be used for food, textbooks, and instructional supplies for students, or transportation cost for students.  Gift-away, t-shirts, pens, mouse pads, etc are also not approved.

The mini-grants can be used for:

• Stipends for Curriculum Development
• Tech Prep course or program articulation
• Development of integrated curriculum that is standards based
• New Tech Prep programs that emphasize building career pathways to post-secondary schools.
• Professional development activities for teachers, counselors—conferences, workshops, or in-service events.
• Teacher substitute costs when doing professional development 
• Enhancement of career counseling
• Building business partnerships
• Development of career exploration, job shadowing, internships, and mentoring
• Equipment, but it must be pre-approved by the State Chancellor’s office.

Mini-grants will be awarded to proposals that clearly address an activity that meets the Tech Prep requirements for funding.  The Tech Prep Mini-Grant Application must be completed, signed, and received by May 14, 2008 to be considered for funding. Please answer each question within your grant proposal. A point system will be used as the criteria for determining awarded grants if requests exceed funding levels. Funds must be expended or encumbered by February 27, 2009.

A Final Completion Report form must be completed and submitted to the Tech Prep Office to help facilitate the accountability process. We sincerely appreciate your vision and hard work in broadening career awareness for our high school students. We hope that these mini-grants will help you in your endeavor.

Click here to view the MINI GRANT APPLICATION or MINI GRANT FINAL COMPLETION FORM (PDF)