Organizations across the state to receive investment while participating in selective cohort experience
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) today announced seven recipients of the Future Forward Innovation Grant. SCORE launched the new initiative to catalyze change for Tennessee students, recognizing that strong education-employer partnerships can transform how students are prepared for careers that enable economic independence.
Specifically, the grant supports the design and launch of local partnership-based efforts — among education, community and industry partners — that create an accelerated pathway for students to earn a credential that can lead to an in-demand, high-wage career. Each grant recipient represents a student-focused and market-driven approach to solving one of Tennessee’s key education challenges: bridging the gap between education and a career enabling economic independence by solving for a local industry and workforce need.
“SCORE’s mission is to catalyze transformative change in Tennessee education,” said David Mansouri, president and CEO of SCORE. “The recipients of these Future Forward grants are driving change that will result in a stronger connection between education and employment and provide students with stronger pathways to career success. We look forward to supporting and learning from these innovative efforts as we work to ensure all students have the opportunities they need to succeed in the classroom and in life.”
The partners will now continue to launch, support and scale each model in a way that can be an example for other efforts throughout the state and region. In addition to financial support from SCORE, the awardees will also participate in a cohort-style fellowship and receive expert mentorship.
Nearly 100 applications were submitted for the grant, representing a wide range of industries, K-12 districts, postsecondary institutions and community organizations. An expert committee of leaders with deep experience in entrepreneurship, venture capital, workforce development and education narrowed the pool of applicants to just seven recipients.
The seven grant recipients are:
- The University of Memphis, through The Polytechnic @ UofM Initiative, is partnering with Southwest Tennessee Community College, the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson at Stanton, University High School, UpSkill Mid-South, the Center for Regional Economic Enrichment and Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce to launch a bachelor of applied science pathway that includes high-demand, embedded nondegree credentials, giving students valuable industry-recognized skills.
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is partnering with local education partners to launch a Python and data processing and analysis credential. This innovative program uses the high school computer science course requirement as a launching point for advanced studies in data analytics and data science, with a focus on health care settings.
- Nurses Middle College Nashville is partnering with Vanderbilt University Medical Center to launch an accelerated certified nursing assistant (CNA) program model with the opportunity for additional training through a summer camp model, including: community health worker, doula certification and/or acute care EMT training. This innovative pathway takes place outside the regular academic year, beginning the summer after 11th grade, and allows students to complete their CNA certification and begin working once that summer session is complete before they enter 12th grade.
- BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) and Chattanooga State Community College are partnering on BlueHorizon, a program launching in 2026 that provides a path to an accelerated associate degree in health science and a career with one of the region’s employers of choice. Participating students work as customer service representatives at BCBST while simultaneously earning their degree.
- Chattanooga 2.0 is partnering with Reach University and Hamilton County Schools to launch the Tutor to Teacher pathway. Through this innovative program students will earn multiple credentials by tutoring in elementary school classrooms while still completing high school and will also take the first steps toward an accelerated early education teaching license.
- Niswonger Foundation is partnering with the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies at UT-Knoxville, high schools in Kingsport City Schools and Sullivan County Schools, and Ballad Health to launch an AI and data science credential. This innovative program leverages the high school computer science course requirement as a gateway to advanced studies in emerging technologies like AI, data analytics and computer science.
- Ballad Health is partnering with Northeast State Community College to design and launch an accelerated surgical technologist (surg tech) pathway with regional high schools. This program enables students to earn credit toward a surg tech certification while in high school, with eligibility for employment at Ballad Health.
For more information on SCORE and the Future Forward Innovation Grant, please visit tnscore.org/innovationgrant.