Career Pathways for Healthcare Workers Program

The Career Pathways for Healthcare Workers Program is administered by the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning (DWDAL) and was established under Senate Bill 518 in 2022. This competitive, statewide initiative provides matching grants to eligible healthcare employers across Maryland to fund occupational training for healthcare workers. Managed through the Office of Strategic Initiatives, the program aims to upskill Maryland's healthcare workforce, enhance career mobility, and improve access to training in high-demand healthcare occupations. The current grant cycle is managed under Policy Issuance 2026-02, with oversight provided by DWDAL. The program offers up to $50,000 per grant to eligible employers, defined specifically as hospitals or “related institutions,” which include facilities providing domiciliary, nursing, or personal care for dependent individuals. To qualify, applicants must partner with a Maryland-based Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or Community College to deliver the training programs. Healthcare workers eligible for training include those licensed under Maryland’s Health Occupations Title 8—such as nurses, certified nursing assistants, and dialysis technicians—as well as unlicensed workers providing direct personal care or behavioral health services within qualifying institutions. Grantees must match state grant funding dollar-for-dollar through cash contributions. Applicants must submit a detailed project narrative, budget, and supporting documentation. Key requirements include documentation of match funding, a Letter of Support from the educational partner, a Certificate of Good Standing, and evidence of past training program engagement. The application must include a detailed training plan, labor market justification, participant identification methods, timeline of activities, and metrics for evaluating program outcomes such as credential attainment and wage progression. The program emphasizes the importance of career progression and requires that participants receive a wage increase, aligned with jurisdictional labor market trends, within 90 days of completing the training. Grant funding may only be used to supplement, not replace, current operational costs. Training must be offered at no cost to the participants, and employers are expected to promote supportive services to help participants successfully complete the program. The performance period for this funding cycle begins June 1, 2026, and ends May 31, 2027. Grantees must also comply with quarterly programmatic and fiscal reporting requirements and submit a final report within 90 days of project completion. Applications for this grant cycle are due by April 3, 2026, and must be submitted via email to Maggie Tagliaferro at [email protected]. A virtual pre-proposal conference will be held on February 11, 2026. The program is recurring and offered on an annual basis. Given its alignment with workforce development goals and targeted healthcare needs, this funding opportunity supports equitable advancement opportunities for healthcare workers and fosters stronger partnerships between employers and educational institutions across Maryland.