FY25 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau has announced the FY25 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program under funding opportunity number FOA-WB-25-01. This initiative, authorized under the WANTO Act of 1992 and funded through the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025, seeks to expand employment opportunities for women in apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO) by offering technical assistance (TA) to employers and labor unions. The program aims to address significant gender disparities in these fields by supporting the development, expansion, and enhancement of pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, and other training programs that prepare women for success in high-wage, high-skill careers. A total of approximately $5,000,000 is available, with plans to fund between 6 and 14 projects. Individual awards will range from $350,000 to $750,000 over a 24-month period beginning September 30, 2025. No more than 15% of each grant can be allocated toward supportive services such as transportation, childcare, or job-related gear. These grants are non-renewable and do not require matching funds. The program supports initiatives that aim to create welcoming and sustainable environments for women in A/NTO by providing resources and ongoing support to both employers and employees. This includes establishing networks, support groups, and TA that improves recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in these sectors. Eligibility is strictly limited to community-based organizations (CBOs), as defined in the FOA’s Appendix B, with demonstrated experience in administering programs that train women for apprenticeable or nontraditional occupations. Applications must include a signed letter, on organizational letterhead, that verifies the applicant’s CBO status, including years of operation and experience, as well as the number of women served annually and the structure of training cohorts. Applicants that do not submit this letter will be disqualified. Priority will be given to applicants serving states not funded under the WANTO program in the past two years and to organizations that include tradeswomen or women in nontraditional occupations on staff or boards. The grant application package must include four key components: the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424A Budget Information Form, a Budget Narrative, and a Project Narrative not exceeding 15 double-spaced pages. Attachments such as an abstract and letters of commitment from partner employers or unions are also required. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on August 8, 2025. Hard copies or late submissions will not be considered. All applicants must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) and maintain an active account. The Project Narrative must address several scoring criteria, including need, project design, geographic diversity, expected outcomes, performance evaluation, capacity, past performance, and budget alignment. The Department will also assess risk factors such as financial stability, internal controls, and past audit findings as part of its review process. Applicants may be required to participate in a federal evaluation study, including randomized assessments of project impacts. Key performance indicators for the grant include the number of women enrolled and completing training programs, the percentage who secure employment—especially at higher wages—and the extent to which funded activities are sustained post-grant. Grantees will be required to report quarterly on finances and performance. For additional support, prospective applicants can consult the FAQ, technical assistance, and grant writing resources at Grants.gov or contact WB.OGM@dol.gov referencing FOA-WB-25-01.

Follow formatting precisely; missing CBO letter leads to disqualification.