YouthBuild 2025

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has announced the availability of funds for the YouthBuild program through its Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA-ETA-26-38). This federal initiative supports public or private nonprofit organizations and Tribal entities to deliver education, pre-apprenticeship occupational skills training, and employment services to disadvantaged and low-income youth between the ages of 16 and 24. YouthBuild aims to foster a comprehensive pathway toward economic self-sufficiency by providing meaningful learning opportunities, leadership development, and support services tailored to help participants overcome employment barriers. YouthBuild programs must include hands-on construction skills training, requiring grantees to engage participants in the construction or substantial renovation of at least one unit of affordable housing designated for low-income or homeless individuals and families. In addition to this core requirement, grantees may incorporate a “Construction Plus” (C+) component that offers vocational training in other in-demand sectors such as information technology, advanced manufacturing, or shipbuilding. Programs must integrate educational services aligned with training activities and offer opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials. YouthBuild is recognized as a pre-apprenticeship program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the Department encourages alignment with Registered Apprenticeship Programs to create direct employment pipelines for participants. The funding ceiling for Category A (previously funded grantees) is $2,000,000, and for Category B (new applicants) it is $1,500,000, with a required cost-share of 25% unless a waiver applies (e.g., for U.S. insular areas or Native American entities). The total expected funding available is $98 million, supporting approximately 57 awards. The expected period of performance is 40 months, beginning on July 1, 2026, and includes three distinct phases: a planning period of up to four months, a 24-month active program phase, and a 12-month follow-up phase for tracking participant outcomes. Grantees must allocate at least 5% of grant funds for follow-up services and fully expend awarded funds within the grant period. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, educational institutions, housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations, and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status. Applicants must also maintain a physical presence in the communities they intend to serve. Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply, provided they meet all eligibility and programmatic requirements. Applicants may submit only one proposal and must have a unique Employer Identification Number and Unique Entity Identifier registered in SAM.gov. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on March 2, 2026. The application package must include the SF-424 and SF-424A forms, a detailed project narrative limited to 25 pages, a budget narrative, and mandatory attachments such as signed ETA-9143 work site forms. Depending on their applicant category, organizations must also provide past performance data or a performance chart, as well as letters of commitment from key partners including those offering educational, housing, and employment services. Evaluation criteria span service area need, program design, staffing and planning strategies, supportive services, employer engagement, and prior performance, with additional points awarded for integrating AI literacy or shipbuilding trades, and partnering with educational institutions that support school choice. Contact for technical inquiries is Khanh Tran at [email protected]. All documentation is accessible via the ETA grants webpage and Grants.gov. Awards will be announced on the ETA website, and selected applicants will be contacted prior to finalization. Grantees must participate in evaluations, comply with DOL administrative requirements, and submit required quarterly reports. This FOA aligns with federal executive orders to prepare youth for high-paying skilled trades and increase access to AI and apprenticeship opportunities.

Ensure clear documentation of construction training plans and local needs data; include signed letters for C+ and apprenticeship partners; Budget narratives must align with participant numbers.