686341 - Career Training Physical Expansion Grant Program (CTPE)
Funding Opportunity Details

Iowa Workforce Development Training

Final Application Deadline: Oct 19, 2026 2:00 PM

Description

• Notice of Funding Opportunity

  State Agency Name:	Iowa Department of Workforce Development
  Funding Opportunity Title	Career Training Physical Expansion Grant State Fiscal Year 2027 (SFY27)

   

  IMPORTANT DATES

  Application Deadline:	Grant applications are due by Monday, October 19th at 2:00 p.m. CST
  Application Webinar Date:	Tuesday, September 29th at 1:00 PM via Zoom

   

  PROGRAM PURPOSE

  The Career Training Physical Expansion Grant Program (CTPE) is designed to offer financial support to Iowa community colleges and unionized or nonunionized private sector apprenticeship programs to expand their capacity to provide education and training for workers in high-demand jobs in the state. Through this program, eligible applicants may receive funding to support the construction of new training facilities or the purchase of essential equipment which will increase the number of slots available in new programs training workers in high-demand jobs in Iowa.

   

  The goal of CTPE is to ensure these institutions and new programs have the physical space and equipment necessary to educate and train more future workers in fields that are currently experiencing high demand within the state. By increasing training capacity, the program aims to prepare a larger and higher skilled workforce to meet the needs of Iowa’s high-demand industries and employers.

   

  ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

  Eligible Applicants

  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).

   

  As part of the application, applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest at the time of application submission. If awarded, the awarded business is required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that occur throughout the period of performance to the awarding agency. IWD reserves the right to adjust minimum requirements based on the scope of applications received.

   

  AWARD INFORMATION

  Program Authority

  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.

   

  All costs incurred for this project must align within the stated award period. The performance period for IWD for this program begins November 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2030.

   

   

  Performance Measures

  · Number of newly created training opportunities for workers/students.

  · Length of time related to the Earn and Learn/apprenticeship training program.

  · Number of employer partners that are associated with the project.

  · Projects requesting equipment purchases only must see an increase of a minimum of five (5) new slots in capacity.

  · Projects requesting construction, expansion, or modification must see an increase of a minimum of ten (10) new slots in capacity.

   

   

  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.

   

  Funding decisions are made as funding is available and administered as a competitive opportunity. IWD is not obligated to provide the maximum grant amount requested. Final awards and reimbursements will be adjusted based on the proportionate final percentages of capacity increases.

   

   

  State or Federal Match Requirement

  There is no state match requirement/cost sharing associated with this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

   

   

  Project and Award Period

  Pursuant to the terms of the award, the period of performance for this opportunity is between November 1, 2026, and June 30, 2030. Individual contract agreements with participating employers may dictate a shorter period of performance specific to the individual award. Expenses incurred related to this program outside of the period of performances listed in individual contract agreements are not eligible for reimbursement under this award. Any funds not expended for activity completed by June 30, 2030, will be forfeited, and IWD will not be obligated to provide additional funding for program completion. 

   

  All final expenses and reports must be completed and submitted to IWD no later than August 15, 2030.

   

   

  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:

  1. Upon the completion of the approved construction, expansion, or modification project and/or validation of the purchase/payment of equipment.
  2. The validation of the expanded capacity of enrollment/participation as stated within the approved project.

   

  Validation of award funds will be subject to evidence that funds were expended defined by the contract agreement. To be considered, all expenses must be entered into and submitted on the IWD expense tracker document and must include proof of purchase and proof of payment documentation for consideration for reimbursement.  

   

   

  Specific expense categories eligible for grant funds include:

  · Equipment as defined in this NOFO.

  · Construction, expansion, or modification expenses from an eligible third-party contractor

  Ineligible Expenses

  · Transportation or travel expenses, including mileage, airfare, food, lodging, vehicles, and fuel charges

  · Food expenses

  · Landscaping or fencing

  · Wages for internal employees

  · Third-party credentialing, licensing, training, and/or exam expenses

  · Administrative and Indirect expenses

  IWD reserves the right to determine the eligibility of all expenses and may deny reimbursement for expenses that are not reasonable, necessary, or directly related to the stated and approved project.

   

   

  Procurement Policy

  Successful applicants may be required to provide a copy of their procurement policy to IWD for combined invoices/purchases over $10,000 from a single vendor to be submitted with the return of their executed agreement. A procurement policy template will be provided upon request; however, it is the successful applicant’s responsibility to consult with qualified and knowledgeable legal counsel to determine any specific rules or requirements that apply to their individual circumstances. Request for funds will be validated based on successful applicants’ procurement policies.

   

   

  Reimbursement Schedule

  Reimbursement will only be provided after the verification of successful completion of each milestone, the validation of eligible expenses, and the approval of semi-annual progress reports. This review will serve as the certification funds were used in accordance with the approved grant application and grant program.

   

  Reimbursement will be provided at the completion of the following two milestones:

  · Milestone 1 – 75% of total funds upon the completion of the approved construction, expansion, or renovation project and/or validation of the purchase/payment of equipment.

  · Milestone 2 – Remaining 25% of total funds upon the validation of the expanded capacity of enrollment/participation as stated within the approved project.

   

   

  Additional Considerations

  Additional consideration may be given to applicants based on geographical location within the state or based on industry.

   

  As a condition of receiving the funds appropriated under this NOFO, the grantee of this award will be required to maintain records for a minimum of three (3) years from the date of close out and allow access by IWD or its appointees. If an awarded organization/employer declares bankruptcy or files a WARN with IWD within 24 months of the end of the period of performance, IWD reserves the right to require received grant award funds to be returned to the state.

   

  Please see the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for further details associated with this award.