The Transition Readiness Grant (TRG) program was established under 2017 Act 59 (Act 59, the 2017-19 biennial budget) with a base funding of $1,500,000. This program was designed to support Wisconsin’s students with disabilities to successfully transition to competitive work and post-secondary education environments after high school. The inaugural grant program, beginning in FY 2019, accepted more than 130 applications requesting more than $9 million in total aid. The first group of awards went to 37 districts across the state and in all 12 CESAs.
2025-26 Transition Readiness Grant Applications
School districts and charter schools under Wis. Stat. 118.40(2r) and (2x) are eligible to compete for funding that supports evidence-based practices related to the successful transition from high school for students with Individualized Education Programs. The $1.5 million fund will support:
- Transportation options (including contracted services or vehicle purchases)
- Competitive Integrated Employment Training (CIE) Programs
- Post-secondary tuition or supports for students
- Transition Training for Staff Members
Grant awards must be not less than $25,000 and not more than $100,000. Substitutions for a funding category will not be allowed. All grant applications were due on May 1, 2025.
2025-26 Transition Readiness Grant Q&A Webinar
To view the webinar recording please see 2025-26 Transition Readiness Grant Q&A Webinar.
The slides for the PowerPoint presentation at the webinar can be found here: 2025-2026 TRG Q&A Webinar PowerPoint Slides presentation
Application Support
Utilize the resources below to complete TRG applications for FFY 2026. Eligible entities must submit the TRG Qualtrics Survey to DPI by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025 using the link: Click here to apply for a 2025-2026 Transition Readiness Grant. Digital signatures are accepted for the TRG application.
- Transition Readiness Grant Application Template (Google Doc)
- Transition Readiness Grant Application Template (Fillable PDF)
- Transition Readiness Grant Guidelines
- Transition Readiness Grant Scoring Rubric
- TRG WUFAR Coding Guidance
- Transition Readiness Grant Application Data Analysis Resources
Making a Claim
Claims for the TRG program should be made at least twice per school year using The Program Fiscal Report (PI-1086).
The completed PI-1086 form can be submitted to dpiclaimforms@dpi.wi.gov.
Budget Revisions
Budget revisions can be made at any time. An approved budget must be on file with the Department in order to process a claim for reimbursement.
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding the Transition Readiness Grant program please contact Alicia Reinhard, Statewide Transition and Graduation Consultant at alicia.reinhard@dpi.wi.gov or Cecile David, Transition Readiness Grant Program Director at cecile.david@dpi.wi.gov.