State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula, Round 4 (SAEF4)

The State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grant program, Round 4, is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration through its Office of Apprenticeship. This program represents a continuation of federal efforts to expand the National Apprenticeship System by investing in state capacity to register, support, and grow Registered Apprenticeship programs. The initiative aligns with broader federal workforce development priorities, including closing skills gaps, strengthening talent pipelines, and advancing economic growth in key industries such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence infrastructure, energy, and information technology. The primary purpose of this grant program is to provide formula-based funding to eligible states and territories to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. Approximately $85 million in funding is available and will be distributed using a performance-based formula that considers both active apprentices and new apprentice growth across recent fiscal years. The program emphasizes measurable expansion outcomes, including increasing the number of apprentices and enhancing system transparency and efficiency. Funds are intended to support both direct services to apprentices and employers, as well as broader system-building efforts that improve statewide apprenticeship infrastructure. Allowable uses of funds include developing new apprenticeship programs, expanding existing ones, hiring staff such as apprenticeship navigators, supporting related technical instruction, and providing supportive services to apprentices. Funds may also be used to align education systems with apprenticeship pathways, including integrating career and technical education programs and adopting learning and employment records. However, funds cannot be used for activities that duplicate federal systems, violate nondiscrimination laws, or support non-compliant apprenticeship structures. Up to 15 percent of funding may be used for supportive services when other funding sources are unavailable. Eligibility for this grant is limited to all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and territories with more than 100 active apprentices as of fiscal year 2025. Each state must designate a single lead agency to apply and administer the grant. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to manage funds, meet reporting requirements, and coordinate statewide apprenticeship expansion efforts. Eligible participants served under the grant include individuals aged 16 and older, with certain provisions for younger individuals enrolled in pre-apprenticeship programs leading to registered apprenticeships. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several required components: the SF-424 application form, a detailed budget and budget narrative, a project narrative describing program design and commitments, and supporting attachments such as an abstract and a governor’s letter. Applicants must commit to core requirements, including setting statewide apprenticeship expansion goals, dedicating funds to targeted industries, and securing leveraged resources equal to at least 50 percent of the federal allocation. States with State Apprenticeship Agencies must also commit to improving transparency in program approval timelines. Applications must be submitted no later than May 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The anticipated period of performance is 36 months, beginning July 1, 2026. Grantees are required to submit quarterly financial, performance, and narrative reports throughout the grant period. While the program does not require formal cost sharing, the leveraged resource commitment functions as a significant financial requirement to ensure sustainability and scale. This funding opportunity does not specify a recurring cycle, as it represents a specific round of funding within a broader initiative. However, the Department has indicated that similar formula-based funding approaches may continue in future years, contingent upon appropriations. Applicants are encouraged to align proposed activities with long-term apprenticeship system growth and to leverage existing workforce and education funding streams to maximize impact.

Align proposal with statewide apprenticeship growth metrics; clearly demonstrate leveraged funding strategy; prioritize targeted industries and measurable outcomes; ensure consistency across budget and narrative components