Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants (Round 6)

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration announced the sixth round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants (SCC6), offering $65 million for 6-10 awards ranging from $6.5 million to $10.8 million. The grants aim to build statewide capacity for short-term training programs eligible for Workforce Pell Grants, focusing on industry-driven strategies, worker mobility through career pathways, and workforce system integration for expanded training options. Eligible applicants are community college consortia, with a lead institution and a majority of the state's community colleges, requiring letters of support from state officials. The 48-month performance period, starting September 1, 2026, emphasizes developing new or enhancing existing programs in high-demand sectors, ensuring they lead to recognized postsecondary credentials. Key aspects include employer engagement in curriculum development, promoting stackable credentials, and improving data sharing between education and workforce systems to meet Workforce Pell Grant eligibility and State Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) inclusion requirements. Grantees must procure a third-party evaluator and track capacity-building and performance outcomes. Funding cannot be used for participant tuition and fees.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration is offering Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants (Round 6) with $65,000,000 available for 6-10 awards ranging from $6,500,000 to $10,800,000. Applications are due by May 20, 2026, with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2026, and a 48-month performance period. These grants aim to build capacity in community colleges to offer short-term, industry-driven training programs eligible for Workforce Pell Grants. Eligible applicants are consortia of community colleges, with a lead institution and a majority of the state's community colleges as members. Key program goals include industry-driven strategies, worker mobility through career pathways, and workforce system integration, focusing on statewide data sharing and inclusion on State Eligible Training Provider Lists (ETPL). Projects must lead to recognized postsecondary credentials and include a third-party evaluation. Allowable activities support these core elements, while participant tuition and fees are not covered. Specific state leadership letters of support and employer partnerships are required.