589758 - FY26 Credentials to Careers Grant - Aligning Career & Technical Education Programs with Industry-Recognized Credentials
Funding Opportunity Details

Industry Recognized Credentials Grant Fund

Final Application Deadline: May 30, 2025 11:59 PM

Description

• Description

  Aligning Career and Technical Education Programs with Industry-Recognized Credentials

  “2025-2026 AY – Credentials to Careers Grant”

  The deadline for submitting grant applications is Friday, May 30, 2025, at 11:59:59 PM.

   

  *Priority will be given to school districts that have not received a previous Credentials to Careers Grant.* 

   

  **School districts must submit a separate application for each industry-recognized credential (IRC) on the 2025-2026 state-approved list.**

   

   

  Iowa school districts can offer students opportunities to earn real-world, industry-recognized credentials by applying for a Credentials to Careers Grant starting April 1. This second round of competitive grants will support Iowa school districts in aligning secondary career and technical education programs with industry-recognized credentials and labor market value.

   

   

  Industry-recognized credentials (IRC) are valuable tools that allow students to earn education- and work-related credentials that verify skill mastery and educational attainment, empowering them to secure meaningful and sustainable employment in Iowa. Vetted by employers and endorsed by a nationally recognized trade association or organization in a particular industry, these credentials are available across many career pathways, including health sciences, information technology, construction, manufacturing, child development, culinary and business.

   

   

  The grant application is now available on IowaGrants.gov through May 30. School districts can apply for grants of up to $50,000, with priority given to districts that have not previously been awarded a Credentials to Careers Grant. Applicants will be screened and scored on the selected criteria for the grant. Schools must complete a separate application for each IRC, and all IRCs must be on the approved list.

   

   

  In determining awards, district applicants must demonstrate clear, sustainable plans to align one or more existing career and technical education (CTE) pathways with student attainment of IRCs.

   

   

  If awarded, districts can use the funding to support the costs associated with students earning IRCs. Allowable costs may include student assessment fees, required materials, professional development, instructional equipment and supplies, software and more to support the program and offering of the credential.

   

   

  By aligning CTE programs with stackable credentials, students can build critical skills to pursue in-demand careers and accelerate further advanced credential or degree attainment. These stackable credentials are portable, can be accumulated over time, build upon previous skills and can help close the skills gap between what employers need and the competencies students possess. These opportunities build upon authentic work-based learning, CTE programs and concurrent enrollment options across Iowa.

   

   

  Funding for this second round of Credentials to Career Grant awards is provided through the Department’s Perkins reserve fund provided under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V).

   

   

  On a claim reimbursement basis, this competitive grant will allow accredited programs to develop, broaden and enhance CTE pathway programs and equipment-related needs in offering Department-approved IRCs.

   

  Allowable costs for this opportunity may include:

  +Computers (exceed specs of district-issued devices) || Equipment Hardware 734

   

  +Hot Spots (eligible only if school districts do not provide for non-CTE students) || Purchased Services 3xx

   

  +Instructional Equipment || Equipment 731

   

  +Instructional Supplies || Supplies 6xx

   

  +Professional Development (Train-the-Trainer) || Purchased Services 3xx

   

  +Professional Development Conference Travel || Staff Travel 580

   

  +Professional Development Vendor-Led Equipment Training || Purchased Services 3xx

   

  +Software || Software 735

   

  +Student Assessment Fees || Purchased Services 3xx

   

  +Student Required Materials || Supplies 6xx

   

  The deadline for submitting grant applications is Friday, May 30, 2025, at 11:59:59 PM.

   

  Questions about IowaGrants can be directed to Dr. Jeffrey Fletcher – jeffrey.fletcher@iowa.gov.

   

  Questions about IRCs can be directed to Dr. Heather Meissen – heather.meissen@iowa.gov.

   

  Questions about the use of funds can be directed to Amy Vybiral – amy.vybiral@iowa.gov

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