649688 - FY26 - Future Ready Iowa Summer Youth Internship Program
Funding Opportunity Details

Future Ready Iowa

Final Application Deadline: Feb 16, 2026 2:00 PM

Description

• NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
  State Agency Name: Iowa Workforce Development Funding Opportunity
  Title: Summer Youth Internship Program
  Assistance Listing Number (formerly CFDA Number): Not Applicable

   

  IMPORTANT DATES
  Deadline: Applications for the funds are due by Monday, February 16, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. Central Standard Time.
  Applicant Webinar Date: Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) will host a webinar to provide additional information on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 1:00 CST. Register for Webinar: Thursday, January 22 at 1:00 pm (Zoom)

   

  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
  Purpose
  The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to enable Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) to award grant funding to encourage businesses to develop programs that provide high school students and youth between the ages of 14 and 24 internship opportunities that allow youth to explore and prepare for high-demand careers, gain work experience, and develop personal attributes necessary to succeed in the workplace.
  Applicants are strongly encouraged to enroll Summer Youth Internship participants with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Youth Program in their local area.

   

  Funding Priorities
  Priority will be given to applicants that:
  1. Provide significant evidence of the ability to recruit and enroll participants into the WIOA Title I Youth Program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to partner with their local WIOA Title I Youth Program to enroll participants.
  2. Provide evidence of current program management offered to youth at risk of not graduating high school, to youth from low-income households, or to youth who are from communities underrepresented in the Iowa workforce.

   

  WIOA Title I Partnership
  Applicants are strongly encouraged to enroll Summer Youth Internship participants with the WIOA Title I Youth Program in their local area.  WIOA Title I is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve our nation’s public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers. For more information, please visit: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa 

  The purpose of WIOA Title I is to empower individuals with significant barriers to maximize employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence, and inclusion in and integration into society.

  To be considered in partnership with WIOA Title I, proof of partnership in the form of a written partnership agreement from the applicant’s local workforce development board is required (to be uploaded as an attachment to your application). Your local area contact will provide you with the approved written
  partnership agreement. Awarded applicants will be required to show documentation of WIOA Title I participation and attempts for enrollment of participants.

   

   

  AWARD INFORMATION

  Funding
  The source of funding is the Summer Youth Intern Pilot Program appropriated by the State of Iowa Legislature under Senate File 645 signed by the Governor on June 11, 2025.

   

  Estimated Award Amounts
  IWD anticipates awarding grants to multiple applicants up to the full funding amount of $250,000.00. Grant awards may vary in amounts as determined by the scope of the project. Maximum funding for awards will be $60,000.  Funding decisions are made as funding is available, and IWD is not obligated to provide the maximum grant amount requested. IWD will seek to maximize grant awards to those programs which demonstrate the most significant programming and project responses, and for those whose projects indicate the possibility of the most significant community impacts.

   

  State or Federal Match Requirement
  There is no state or federal match requirement or cost sharing associated with this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

   

  Project and Award Periods
  The project period is a minimum of six weeks within the timeframe below.
  Start Date: May 1, 2026
  End Date: August 31, 2026

  IWD estimates the award period will be April 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026. Dates are tentative and are subject to change. Final dates will be determined during the award process.

   

  Type of Award
  IWD will pay out grant funds to successful applicants on a monthly reimbursement basis after receipt of completed monthly project reports. Grant funds are administered as a reimbursement only, and no advance payments will be provided.

   

  Use of Funds
  As a condition of receiving the funds appropriated under this Notice of Funding Announcement (NOFO), the Grantee shall testify upon the request of any committee or subcommittee of the State of Iowa General Assembly regarding the expenditures of such funds.

   

  Funds are intended to be used for:

  • Participant wages (gross wages) for those that complete a minimum of 6 weeks of the program, working at least 10 hours per week
    • Participants to be paid a minimum of $13/hour
    • Participants failing to meet the 6-week minimum and at least 10 hours per week, will not be eligible for reimbursement
    • Participants to complete W-4 forms (no W-9s, stipends or independent contractors)
    • Reimbursement of participant wages to be paid after submission and approval of final report
  • Participant compensation as a result of completing the program (paid as reportable gross wages)
  • training resources (i.e., curriculum, internet access, software) program supplies and materials (i.e., uniforms, computers, books, tools, consumable items) (less than $5,000 per category)
  • Program coordination (gross wages) – see definition of program coordination in full NOFO document
  • Administrative costs (limited to 10% of total award)

   

  Ineligible use of funds would include the following:

  • Stipends or bonuses (participant and/or program coordination)
  • Reimbursement of food or drink
  • Employer payroll taxes and fringe benefits
  • Award/graduation ceremony expenses
  • Marketing/promotional materials
  • Program transportation including travel expenses and/or vehicle purchase or lease
  • Reimbursement of worker’s compensation insurance coverage or, fringe benefits
  • Capital expenditures, building rental, utility expenses and equipment over $5,000
  • Gift certificates, cards, or vouchers

   

  To validate the expense, IWD will require the following support for ALL expenses submitted for reimbursement:

  • Receipt or invoice with name of vendor, organization’s name, date of expense within the award period, and description/itemization of goods or services provided.
  • Proof of payment that includes the name of vendor, organization’s name, amount that matches receipt/invoice and proof payment. Acceptable proof of payment includes the front and back of cleared check, credit card statement, or bank statement. Screenshots from the financial or accounting system are not considered adequate proof of payment.

   

  To validate the support for wages, IWD will require the following support for ALL expenses submitted for reimbursement:

  • Timesheet for applicable pay period (within award period) that includes the employee name, total hours worked associated with grant program, pay period and a signature from supervisor approving the timesheet.
  • Acceptable proof of payment for wages with an employee paystub that includes the pay date, pay period, name of employee, name of organization, hours paid, hourly wage, total gross and total net pay amount, and position title or description. Payment of wages for time worked within the period of performance must be completed prior to close out (September 30, 2026). Additional wage documentation may be requested.
  • Employee contract agreement stating name of organization, name of employee, period of employment, position title and hourly wage.

  Wage reimbursement requests without timesheet verification will not be considered eligible for reimbursement.