WIOA Youth Activities

WIOA Formula Youth
CFDA 17.259 Active Grant
No open Grants.gov opportunities under this program right now. Browse all Department of Labor programs →  ·  All grants from Employment and Training Administration →

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$920.6M FY2026
$925.8M
FY24
$919M
FY25
$920.6M
FY26*
* estimated

Who has received this funding

Organizations awarded under CFDA 17.259 (USAspending.gov).

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 Performance outcomes for these grants are measured by 5 core indicators: employment rates (2nd and 4th quarters after exit), median earnings, credential attainment, and measurable skill gains. Grantees must report outcomes on a quarterly basis, and the most recent information is posted at: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/performance/results/national

Program Objective

To help low income youth, between the ages of 14 and 24, acquire the educational and occupational skills, training, and support needed to achieve academic and employment success and successfully transition into careers and productive adulthood.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • U.S. State Government
  • U.S. Territory Government

Under WIOA, 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the outlying areas are identified as the recipients of youth training activities funds. For a state to be eligible to receive youth funds, the governor of the state will submit a Unified or Combined State Plan to the Secretary of DOL that outlines a 4-year strategy for the State’s workforce development system.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Those portions of the State Plan over which the Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training exercises authority are reviewed and approved by the Employment and Training Administration. Formula funds are awarded to the states based on a statutory formula provided in the authorizing legislation.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 60 to 90 days

In Section 102(c)(2)(B) of WIOA, a unified State plan shall be subject to the approval of both the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education after approval of the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration for the portion of the plan described in subsection (b)(2)(D)(ii). The plan shall be considered to be approved at the end of the 90-day period beginning on the day the plan is submitted, unless the Secretary of Labor of the Secretary of Education makes a written determination, during the 90-day period, that the plan is inconsistent with the provisions of this section or the provisions authorizing the core program as appropriate.

Program details & compliance

Description

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth program under current law helps out-of-school youth and low-income in-school youth with barriers to employment by providing services that prepare them for employment and post-secondary education. WIOA authorizes services to 14–21 year-old low-income in-school youth and 16-24 year-old out-of-school youth who have barriers to employment. Youth Activities funds are allotted by formula to States that, after reserving up to 15 percent for State-wide activities, allocate funds to local areas to deliver an array of youth workforce investment activities. WIOA requires that not less than 75 percent of funds be used to serve out-of-school youth.

Mission Categories

Primary: Work Education

Other categories:
Youth ServicesVocational Education

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Title I of the Act authorizes the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act System and establishes state workforce development boards with oversight responsibility by the governors for local workforce development boards; and establishes the process by which eligible providers of training and youth activities are identified. The Act authorizes the use of funds for youth employment and training activities that will provide eligible youth assistance in achieving careers and academic and employment success; ensures ongoing mentoring opportunities; provides opportunities for training; provides continued supportive services; and provides opportunities for leadership, youth development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and community service. Funds must be used in accordance with the rules and regulations. Section 129(C)(4)(A) increases the minimum Out-of-School Youth expenditure rate for youth formula funded programs to 75 percent. Additionally, Section 129(c)(4) prioritizes work experiences with the requirement that local areas must spend a minimum of 20 percent of non-administrative local area funds on work experience.

Required Documentation

WIOA requires the Governor of each State to submit a Unified or Combined State Plan to the Secretary of DOL that outlines a 4-year strategy for the State’s workforce development system. States must have approved State Plans (Section 102(a) of WIOA) in place to receive funding for a core program under WIOA—the youth program (Title I of WIOA).

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
1 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Formula

I

Contacts

Sara Hastings — Division Chief
(202) 693-3599
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-03-16. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-28 07:24:16.