Closeout Resources for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Grow Your Own (GYO) Grant
As a reminder to all FY23 grantees, the GYO School Staff website features several technical assistance resources for closing out the GYO grant by September 30, 2026. If you haven’t visited the GYO School Staff website recently, log on today and look for the following new items:
- A new FY23 GYO Grant Closeout video that will cover five important areas of best practices and reminders for closing out your FY23 GYO grant by 9/30/26;
- Instructions for completing the Final Expenditure Report (FER) in NexSys by 11/29/26;
- An updated version of the Section 27b FY23 GYO Monitoring and Guidance Document, incorporating all new policy and procedure updates; and
- New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) relating to the “seat purchase” flexibility, arising from grantee participation in recent Office Hours sessions.
Speaking of Office Hours, the GYO Team would like to remind FY23 grantees about August’s and September’s Office Hours sessions, designed for grantees to bring forward their questions about the FY23 GYO grant closeout process:
Remember that Zoom registration with a valid email address is required for access, since the Zoom system will send you the actual session link to the email you designate.
The GYO Team knows you might have more urgent questions. If you include the phrase “GYO CLOSEOUT” in the Subject line when sending an email to the GYO Team at MDE-EdWorkforceGrants@Michigan.gov, we will prioritize a response to you.
Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) GYO Educator Development Awards Announced
On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, an official MDE press release announced the 74 districts that received FY26 GYO Educator Development awards, reflected both on the GYO School Staff website and the 27b Awards Listings site.
New grantees should get started with grant administration right away—there's no reason to wait. The orientation message sent to new grantees on Thursday, June 25, 2026, included important orientation information as well as the FY26 GYO Educator Development Grant Monitoring and Guidance Document, now available on the GYO School Staff website. It contains an overview of the grant, an explanation of allowable costs, how to identify potential candidates, and when reports are due.
In addition, the GYO Team offers a dedicated series of Office Hours for new FY26 grantees. These sessions provide an opportunity for grantees to ask questions related to orientation, educator preparation program (EPP) partnerships, candidate selection, and other implementation topics. Use the registration below for one or more sessions, being sure to provide the Zoom system with a valid email address, since the Zoom system will send you the actual session link to the email you designate.
As always, all new grantees can email the GYO Team with questions at MDE-EdWorkforceGrants@Michigan.gov.
Opening this August! National Board First Time Candidate Grant
The fourth round of National Board First Time Candidate Grants, funded by Section 27m(7) of the State School Aid Act, is coming in August. Teachers in schoolwide Title I schools pursuing National Board Certification for the first time may be eligible. National Board Certification is a high-quality professional development program that elevates educator standards to improve learning outcomes for students.
Visit MDE's National Board Certification Grant Opportunities webpage for updates.
Reminder: Permits Available for the 2026-27 Academic Year
Beginning July 1, Michigan schools may begin applying for staffing flexibilities for educators. These staffing flexibilities include permits, Special Education Approvals, and Annual Career Authorizations. These credentials are applied for by, and issued to, employing school districts. If a district anticipates a vacancy in a non-core subject area will extend for an entire academic year, remember that the initial Full-Year Basic Permit in a non-core subject area has the same academic requirements as the Daily Substitute Permit without the necessity of additional applications or extensions.
For more information on staffing flexibilities, please visit the Educator Staffing and Placement webpage.
Professional Learning Courses
from Michigan Virtual
Michigan educators can explore this hub for professional learning and growth. In partnership with MDE, Michigan Virtual offers easy access to state-approved professional development, free and low-cost learning opportunities, and guidance tailored to Michigan’s educators. Whether you’re looking to deepen instructional skills, earn State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH), stay current on policy updates, or find flexible online courses, this resource brings everything together in a convenient, user-friendly space.
MDE Office Closures Through 2026
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September 7: Labor Day
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November 3: Election Day
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November 11: Veterans Day
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November 26 and 27: Thanksgiving
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December 25 and 25: Christmas
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December 31: New Year's Eve
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