The Bristol Municipal Career and Technical Academy (BMCTA) announced on Monday that it will accept applications for its new Career Explorer Mini-Grants, starting on Monday, April 1.

Craig Evans, the Coordinator of the BMCTA, offers this explanation of the Mini-Grants:

“The Bristol Municipal Career and Technical Academy (“The Academy”) has established a program that will award Mini-Grants to High School and 8th grade students who either attend Bristol Warren Regional District schools or who reside in Bristol and attend school elsewhere.

The Academy is a new organization established with seed funding from Governor McKee’s Learn365 RI Initiative. Simply put, our purpose is to help students get exposed to and excited about occupations, so much so that they understand the importance of school attendance and academic achievement.

In addition to arranging classes and conversations about types of careers, the Academy now offers opportunities for students to apply for one of its Career Explorer Mini-Grants. Mini-Grants of up to $750 are available to eligible students seeking financial support for their personal projects, relevant coaching expenses and in-person or on-line education that are associated with career exploration and/or real-world learning.”

All high school students, as well as 8th graders looking forward to attending high school in the Fall, should give serious consideration to applying for a mini-grant. Even the process of applying for a small grant can be viewed as a real-world learning experience that is worthy of inclusion in a student’s portfolio.

To apply simply send an email to cevans@rogersfreelibrary.org and explain why you’d like to apply. An application with instruction will be sent out after that. Included with the application will be a schedule of “Mini-Grant Readiness Seminars” that all applicants are required to attend before applying. The deadline for turning in grant applications is May 17.

Funding available for all grants are limited to a total of $15,000. Winners will be announced on May 31. The activities funded by the grant are expected to be completed by September 30.

Additional information about the Career Explorers, its programs and this grant can be found online at www.rogersfreelibrary.org/career-explorers