GYO-IL’s Diverse Male Teacher Initiative PRESENTS:
Community-Connected MALE Pathways TO Teaching
One-year funding for Illinois-based community colleges to increase the recruitment, enrollment, retention, and transfer of community-connected men into PreK–12 teaching pathways. Scroll for information and RFP link.
Individuals interested in becoming a DMTI Candidate can learn more information here.
Who can apply:
All Illinois public community colleges, one proposal per college.
Expansions of prior work, new pilots, and planning projects are all welcome.
NOT FUNDED:
Programming that targets or serves current high school students
Tuition*
Indirect costs
*Tuition support for IL teacher candidates is available through GYO-IL’s Diverse Male Teacher Initiative (DMTI) and regional consortia programs (separate requirements apply).
Two Funding Tracks:
Track ONE
TWO-YEAR / FOUR-YEAR PATHWAY PARTNERSHIPS
UP TO $75,000
Deepens partnerships between community colleges and four-year institutions, including planning-focused work that goes beyond transfer agreements.
Requires a partner: an Illinois-based four-year institution, public or private, with an approved teacher licensure program.
Outcomes: stronger institutional collaboration; increased enrollment, transfer, and retention in licensure pathways.
Track TWO
RECRUITMENT & ENGAGEMENT
UP TO $50,000
Expands engagement and recruitment of community-connected men in and into colleges, through innovative outreach, community-based strategies, planning, or a combination of these approaches.
No partner required.
Outcome: increased enrollment of community-connected men in teacher licensure pathways
Key Dates:
• Applications open October 2nd, 2026.
• Zoom Info session
October 6th, 2026 at 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Register Now
• Applications due October 22nd, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
• Awards announced November 5th, 2026.
Questions:
Dr. Deborah Hutti
dhutti@gyo-il.org
The link to the application form can be found at the bottom of page 2 of the RFP document.
DOWNLOAD INFORMATION DECK:
Community-Connected Male Pathway RFP Required Documents:
GYO-IL RFP Signature Page Template
GYO-IL RFP Budget Template
GYO-IL RFP Milestone Template
ROUND ONE RESULTS (FY 2026):
$585K+
Awarded to community colleges
~1,300
Community-connected men reached
16
Community colleges funded