Description
The Iowa Workforce Development Foundation is offering a competitive grant to Iowa public school districts to expand skilled‑trade education, apprenticeship preparation, and student support across Eastern Iowa. Eligible districts must be within the Grant Wood or Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency service areas and demonstrate how they will increase training capacity, create multiple entry points into skilled‑trade careers, and improve learner persistence and completion rates. The program provides up to $250,000 per district (with $750,000 reserved for three specified districts) for a total award pool of $1.8 million. Funding supports personnel, program expenses, scholarships/learner supports, and administrative costs, with strict reporting and compliance requirements.
• Eligible applicants: Iowa public school districts with high‑school CTE programs in the designated service areas.
• Funding: Up to $250k per district; total pool $1.8M; no match required.
• Timeline: Application due Nov 18 2026; performance period Dec 15 2026 – Jun 30 2028; quarterly reporting; final report due Aug 15 2028.
• Scope of work: Expand CTE capacity, provide apprenticeship‑ready training, deliver scholarships and learner supports, and manage program administration.
• Reporting: Quarterly progress reports and a final close‑out report; records retained ≥ 4 years; audits possible.