FutureForward™ Pitch Competition

Big Ideas. Bigger Impact.

The FutureForward™ Pitch Competition gives educators and regional partners a new way to turn innovative career-connected learning ideas into funded projects.

Impact Grants remain the funding mechanism, but the Pitch Competition adds a live, public process that helps strong ideas gain visibility, build connections, encourage collaboration, and inspire replication across Southeast Minnesota.

Two winning projects will each receive up to $10,000 in Impact Grant funding.

Who Can Apply?

The Pitch Competition is open to educators and teams developing ideas that connect students with careers, pathways, skills, and real-world learning opportunities.

Eligible applicants may include:

• K–12 educators in any subject area

• Post-secondary educators

• Counselors and career specialists

• Instructional teams and cross-discipline groups

• Educators working with industry, workforce, post-secondary, nonprofit, or community partners

You do not need to be a CTE teacher to apply. Strong proposals may come from any discipline if they help students explore careers, develop skills, or connect classroom learning to future opportunities.

What Kinds of Ideas Are a Good Fit?

Projects should align with FutureForward™ goals and support one or more of the following:

• Developing or strengthening career pathways

• Creating or expanding career-connected learning experiences

• Helping students build technical or workplace skills

• Increasing awareness of careers and post-secondary options

• Connecting classrooms with industry, workforce, post-secondary, or community partners

• Expanding hands-on, technology-based, or real-world learning

Projects should be innovative, student-centered, and realistic to implement.

Partnerships Are Required

Each proposal must include at least one partner, such as:

• An industry or workforce partner

• A post-secondary institution

• A community or nonprofit organization

Partnerships help ensure projects are relevant, career-connected, sustainable, and connected to regional opportunities.

How the Pitch Competition Works

1. Submit a Letter of Interest

Applicants begin by submitting a Letter of Interest outlining the idea, goals, intended impact, and required partnerships.

2. Regional Review

A review committee evaluates submissions for alignment, equity, feasibility, and potential impact.

3. Finalists Are Selected

Selected applicants are invited to move forward and prepare a live pitch.

4. Pitch Live at the STEM Educator Forum

Finalists present their ideas live during the STEM Educator Forum on February 24, 2027, focused on AI in Education.

5. Attendees Vote

Registered forum participants hear the finalist presentations and vote on the projects.

6. Impact Grants Are Awarded

Two winning projects each receive up to $10,000 in Impact Grant funding.

Why the Pitch Format?

The Pitch Competition builds on SSC’s long-standing Impact Grant process while adding greater visibility, engagement, and idea sharing.

Rather than strong ideas remaining primarily within written applications and reports, the live event gives educators the opportunity to:

• Share innovative ideas with a broader audience

• Build connections with educators and regional partners

• Receive feedback and support

• Inspire similar projects in other schools

• Increase the potential for strong ideas to be replicated across the region

Attend the STEM Educator Forum

The 2027 FutureForward™ Pitch Competition will take place during the STEM Educator Forum on February 24, 2027.

The 2027 forum theme is AI in Education.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear finalist pitches, vote on projects, connect with educators and partners, and learn about innovative practices taking place across Southeast Minnesota.

Registration will be required to attend and vote.

2027 Application Timeline

Dates for the 2027 Letter of Interest period, review process, and finalist notification will be announced.

Check this page for updates as the application period approaches.

Have an Idea?

If you have an idea that could expand opportunities for students, strengthen career pathways, or connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, we encourage you to consider applying.

The FutureForward™ Pitch Competition is designed to surface strong ideas, strengthen partnerships, and create new opportunities for students across Southeast Minnesota.