The following page includes funding resources available in Iowa that are based in work-based learning opportunities. Please contact us if you have any questions or need assistance in navigating these resources.
Work-Based Learning Funding Opportunities
Iowa Workforce Development Summer Youth Internship Grants support creation of internships for 14- to 24-year-olds to help them prepare for high-demand careers. The competitive annual grants, which focus on serving youth at risk of dropping out or who face other barriers, may be used for wages, training resources and more: Summer Youth Internship Program Grants
The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education annually awards competitive STEM BEST grants to grow community collaborations involving school+business work-based learning partnerships: https://iowastem.org/STEMBEST
Iowa’s school funding formula provides financial support for school districts to share work-based learning coordinators: https://educate.iowa.gov/media/5530/download?inline=
School districts may use TLC funds to support teacher leader work-based learning coordinator positions: https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educator-quality/tlc
Provides access to summer career and technical education programs aligned with regional high-demand jobs at no cost to high school students and their families: https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/senior-year-plus#summer-college-credit-program
The Iowa Apprenticeship Act (84E) provides annual funding to support training or ongoing costs within any active Iowa Registered Apprenticeship program. Funding available under this grant is based on the applicant’s proportionate share of the statewide total of qualified registered apprentices participating in a qualified registered apprenticeship program. A qualified apprenticeship program must be registered with the DOL/OA and the program must provide a minimum of 100 in-person contact hours to qualify for funding. For more information, visit: The Iowa Apprenticeship Act (84E)
The Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Fund (84F) provides annual funding to support the growth of new Registered Apprenticeship programs, particularly programs that feature high-demand occupations. These competitive grants are available annually for RA programs that create a new program with an eligible high-demand occupation or add an eligible high-demand occupation to their existing program. For more information, visit: Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Fund (84F)
"Project Accelerators" to support educators with developing and launching a work-based learning project with an area partnership. Educators are awarded a $1,000 Stipend upon completion of the project: https://clearinghouse.futurereadyiowa.gov/about/educator-resources/
Otherwise known as the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century Act, Perkins V supports CTE innovation in Iowa high schools and community colleges. Allowable costs may include but are not limited to industry-recognized credentials earned by students, some instructional materials and some equipment under certain circumstances: https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/cte/perkins-v
Provides competitive grants to support partnerships between school districts and community colleges that expand access to career academy programs through the development of career academy infrastructure, including new or improved regional centers. The Iowa Department of Education regularly awards grants up to $1 million to qualified projects: https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/cte/iowa-quality/partnerships-and-centers/career-academy-incentive-fund
Provides access to community college summer career and technical education programs aligned with regional high-demand jobs at no cost to high school students and their families, some of which may include work-based learning programs or experiences with prior approval from the Iowa Department of Education: https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/senior-year-plus#summer-college-credit-program
Take the Next Step with Work-Based Learning
Please contact our IWD Work-Based Learning Team to brainstorm ideas, facilitate meetings, design work-based learning programs & learn about financial resources that can support your program's success.