The Career Training Physical Expansion Grant Program (CTPE) is a new state-funded initiative designed to help Iowa community colleges, trade unions, and private sector apprenticeship programs expand their physical capacity to train more workers in the state's high-demand fields.
IWD established the program in fall 2026 after a bill signed by Governor Reynolds (House File 2610) created the program.
| Career Training Physical Expansion Grant Program Summary | |
|---|---|
| Available Funding | The competitive grant program will award a total of $3.5 million in funding statewide, to help eligible programs programs expand their physical capacity to train more workers in high-demand fields. |
| Awarded Funds | Awarded organizations will receive funds through reimbursement upon the completion of approved project activities or through the confirmation of expanded program capacity. The maximum allocation per individual award is $1 million. $1.5 million of the grant's funding will be specifically reserved for healthcare-related programs to reflect Iowa’s critical workforce needs in the sector. |
| Eligible Organizations | Iowa’s community colleges and unionized or nonunionized private sector apprenticeship programs. |
| Application Period | Applications for the CTPE grant program are now being accepted on iowagrants.gov. Applications will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19. |
Grant Materials
List items for Grant Materials for Career Training Physical Expansion Grant Program
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Career Training Physical Expansion Grant Program, which includes detailed information about grant eligibility and requirements, can be found below. Applications are filed on iowagrants.gov.
To be eligible for financial assistance under the program, an applicant must propose the construction of a new training facility, construction to expand an existing training facility (including modifying an existing structure) or the procurement of equipment that will expand the regional training capacity to educate and train workers in high-demand fields in Iowa. Proposals should be considered as new projects and not the subject of other state grant-funded opportunities.
Eligible applicants must be:
- An Iowa Community College; or
- Unionized or Nonunionized private sector apprenticeship program; and
- Ability to expand training for workers and future workers primarily through in-person instruction in high-demand fields.
Additional eligible criteria includes:
- Operate and be located within the State of Iowa;
- Must not have held layoffs within the last six months;
- The applicant must not be in bankruptcy or pre-bankruptcy;
- The applicant must not be in arrears with taxes or owe money to the State of Iowa for any program administered by the State of Iowa;
- Any registered apprenticeship or work-based learning programs must be in good standing with the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA).
More information can be found at: Notice of Funding Opportunity - Career Training Physical Expansion Grant
Funding is provided to Iowa Workforce Development via the career training and physical expansion program fund created in Iowa Code section 84J.3 as enacted by 2026 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2168. The performance period for IWD for this program begins November 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2030.
Estimated Award Amount
- The total state appropriation available under this award is $3,500,000.
- Individual award allocations will be considered up to a maximum of $1,000,000 per award.
- $1,500,000 of the funding is reserved to fund projects in the Healthcare field.
Type of Award
Grant funds are administered as reimbursement only, and no advance payments will be provided.
IWD will pay out grant funds to awarded entities as a reimbursement after the submission and approval of required project reports, validation of submitted expenses, and milestone completion required by the grant opportunity.
Use of Funds
The funds provided are designed to support the construction of new facilities and the procurement of equipment that will expand the capacity of community colleges and unionized and nonunionized private sector apprenticeship programs to provide education and training for workers in high-demand fields in this state. Awarded grant funds can only be used for expenses related to the project identified in the approved application and align with an eligible expense category listed below. Expenses must logically align with the proposed program focused on increasing regional training capacities and be approved as part of the approved budget for the award.
Reimbursement will be provided at the completion of the following two milestones:
- Upon the completion of the approved construction, expansion, or modification project and/or validation of the purchase/payment of equipment.
- The validation of the expanded capacity of enrollment/participation as stated within the approved project.
More information can be found at: Notice of Funding Opportunity - Career Training Physical Expansion Grant
Grant Questions
For questions on the Career Training Physical Expansion Grant Program, please use the contact information below.