Road to Careers Grant Program

Under the leadership of Governor Wes Moore, the Maryland Department of Labor, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Transportation, has introduced the Road to Careers grant program. This initiative is aimed at strengthening Maryland's skilled workforce in the transportation construction sector. The program represents a total investment of $24 million and promotes the use of Registered Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships, and Integrated Education and Training models to equip Maryland residents with the skills required for employment in occupations such as equipment operators, skilled trade workers, and welders. The initiative underscores the state’s strategic commitment to economic development and workforce readiness in infrastructure-related trades. The program’s primary goal is to provide career training and access to family-sustaining jobs for individuals who may face barriers to employment. To address the comprehensive needs of its participants, the grant requires grantee organizations to offer support services such as transportation assistance, childcare subsidies, mental health services, and the provision of tools necessary for job readiness. This holistic approach seeks to reduce systemic barriers and ensure that underserved populations are not excluded from high-demand occupational pathways. Eligible applicants for Road to Careers funding include a wide array of organizations, including Local Workforce Development Areas, community-based organizations, workforce training providers, registered apprenticeship sponsors, adult education providers, and community colleges. Additionally, organizations that provide services to immigrants and refugees are encouraged to apply. The program is not limited to these groups; the Maryland Department of Labor reserves the right to determine the eligibility of other organizations as deemed appropriate. The funding model includes an initial disbursement of $4 million, with awards capped at $500,000 per recipient. Each award spans a performance period of 36 months. This structure is designed to enable sufficient time for project planning, implementation, participant engagement, and outcome assessment. Although no match requirement is mentioned in the source, applicants should consult the official policy documents to confirm any cost-sharing expectations. The application period is currently open and will remain so until January 23, 2026. Applications will be reviewed, and funding recipients will be announced in April 2026. A Pre-Proposal Conference will take place on November 3, 2025. Attendance is not explicitly stated as mandatory, but prospective applicants are encouraged to RSVP by contacting road2.careers@maryland.gov. Applicants should review the Road to Careers Policy document prior to submission, available via the Maryland Department of Labor’s website. All correspondence related to the grant, including questions or RSVPs for the pre-proposal conference, should be directed to road2.careers@maryland.gov. There is no phone number explicitly listed in the source. Additional details, including a flyer and application materials, are available on the Maryland Department of Labor’s grant page. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult these materials thoroughly before preparing their submissions.

Applicants are encouraged to review the Road to Careers Policy and attend the Pre-Proposal Conference.