Career Pathways Exploration Grant Program 84.424J
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education is offering the Career Pathways Exploration Grant Program to help states expand career exploration opportunities for elementary and secondary students. The program funds competitive grants that build state capacity to integrate career exploration into statewide career pathways and workforce readiness programs, with grantees also expected to share implementation approaches with other states and LEAs. Applicants are state entities designated or endorsed by the governor, and proposed activities are encouraged to align with the state’s Unified or Combined WIOA State Plan, with awards evaluated against absolute priorities tied to career pathways exploration and workforce readiness and additional consideration for strengthening talent marketplaces. The program has $44,000,000 available, awards of $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 annually for up to 36 months, and applications are due June 9, 2026, electronically by 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time, with only one application permitted per state.
Eligible Applicants
In accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1), we are establishing that in order to receive funds under this program, an applicant must be a State (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801(48)). The governor must either apply, or identify, designate, or endorse one of the following entities to apply for this program:State educational agencies (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801(49)),State workforce development agencies,State vocational rehabilitation agencies, orConsortia of these entities, including the governor, as a group application under 34 CFR 75.127-129.Note: Only one application per State is permitted.