About the Challenge Grant
"Investing in education and championing programming that strengthens cultural understanding is critical to how we view our role in partnering with communities across the State."
- Beth Regan, Chairwoman of the Mohegan Tribe's Council of Elders
As part of the Mohegan Tribe's commitment to education, the Mohegan Challenge Grant has helped support Connecticut Educators' goals of integrating curriculum to be inclusive of Native American history, traditions, and culture, along with Tribal government and sovereignty for over 20 years.
Funding
Winners of the Mohegan Challenge Grant receive grant funding to provide educational and classroom materials.
Professional Development
The Tribe's Department of Curriculum and Instruction will lead a two-hour professional development session with educators from your school or institution to assist you in meeting the needs of the CSDE mandate to integrate Native American studies into the classroom. The professional development session can be structured as a school-wide, grade-level team, grade band, or department-specific event.
Cultural In-Reach and Outreach
The Mohegan Tribe sponsors a one-day instructional program with a visit to the school from Outreach and Tradition Specialists. Challenge Grant Winners also receive a complimentary field trip to the Mohegan Tribe’s Tantaquidgeon Museum, the nation’s oldest Native American-owned and operated museum. Students will engage with histories first-hand and learn from archives and cultural items that are a vital part of the Tribe.
New for 2027: Connecticut educators may apply for one of two grants based on the number of students.
- The Classroom Grant is designed for class sizes up to 30 students.
- The School Grant is designed for 31 to 125 students (suitable for larger classrooms, grade-level teams, grade band, and/or department-specific instruction)
To apply, click here or visit https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/r4Mi0D8AfC.
The 2027 Mohegan Challenge Grant
Applications for the 2027 Mohegan Challenge Grant are now being accepted through November 30, 2026. To apply, please click here or visit https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/r4Mi0D8AfC.
Want to learn more about our 2026 winners? Please visit https://snip.ly/2026CGRecipients.
"...this was such a meaningful and engaging experience for my students to learn about the Mohegan people, culture, and history through a real-life authentic experience. We are so grateful to the Mohegan tribe for this opportunity for our students. We know that it is an experience they will never forget."
- Wallingford Public Schools
"What a wonderful support to kick-start our integration of cultures into our everyday teaching! Thank you for the information, ideas, and resources to teach our students about the natives of the land where they live."
- Montville Public Schools
