OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — On Wednesday, Gov.Pete Ricketts announced that the previous deadline for grant applications under the Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI) had been extended from May 15 to July 1, 2020.
“As a result of COVID-19, I have instructed our Department of Economic Development, which administers the DYTI program, to extend this year’s grant application deadline to July 1st,” said Gov. Ricketts. “This will give businesses and their partnering school districts additional time to prepare and submit plans for the 2020-2021 school year.”
Launched by Gov. Ricketts in 2015, DYTI was designed to inspire Nebraska middle school students to explore careers in manufacturing and information technology. The program has since been expanded to involve additional disciplines, such as engineering and healthcare.
DYTI grants are awarded to for-profit firms, who partner with area middle schools to implement hands-on courses and activities that increase students’ awareness and interest surrounding STEM skills and careers.
“There are so many high-paying careers right here in the state of Nebraska where businesses are telling us every single day, ‘we need talent, we need skilled workers,’” said DED Director Anthony L. Goins. “DYTI is such a great program because it addresses that need directly, and benefits our kids and our businesses at the same time.”
New to the program for 2020 are the following guidelines, as announced by DED earlier this year:
· The grant period has been extended from 12 months to two years, allowing for more ramp-up time and a longer period of exposure.
· Grants are now awarded at two levels: $50,000 or more (Signature Projects) or less than $50,000 (Visionary Projects).
For more information on DTYI, including how to apply, visit opportunity.nebraska.gov/program/nebraska-developing-youth-talent-initiative [opportunity.nebraska.gov].
