Credentials to Careers Grant – Aligning Career & Technical Education Programs with Industry-Recognized Credentials

Aligning Career and Technical Education Programs with Industry-Recognized Credentials “2026-2027 Academic Year – Credentials to Careers Grant” The deadline for submitting grant applications is Friday, June 12, 2026, at 11:59:59 PM. *School districts must submit a separate application for each industry-recognized credential (IRC) selected from the 2026–2027 state-approved, tiered IRC list. **Please reference column J on the 2026-2027 state-approved, tiered IRC list to verify the IRC is eligible for the Credentials to Careers Grant. Iowa school districts may offer students opportunities to earn real-world, industry-recognized credentials by applying for a Credentials to Careers Grant. These competitive grants support districts in aligning secondary career and technical education (CTE) programs with industry-recognized credentials that demonstrate strong labor market value. Industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) allow students to earn education- and work-related credentials that verify skill mastery and educational attainment, empowering learners to secure meaningful and sustainable employment in Iowa. Vetted by employers and endorsed by nationally recognized trade associations or organizations, IRCs are available across multiple career pathways, including health sciences, information technology, construction, manufacturing, child development, culinary, and business. The grant application is available on IowaGrants.gov through June 12, 2026, at 11:59:59 PM . Funding for the Credentials to Careers Grant is tiered based on the labor market value of the credential as identified on the state-approved IRC list. Maximum award amounts are as follows: Tier 3 credentials (aligned to high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand occupations): up to $50,000 Tier 2 credentials (aligned to two of the three high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand components): up to $45,000 Tier 1 credentials (aligned to zero or one high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand component): up to $15,000 As part of the 2026–2027 competition, applications may also earn competitive preference priority points if the proposed IRC leads to an occupation identified as high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand (H3) . Competitive preference points are awarded based on the extent to which the credential aligns to one, two, or all three H3 components, as defined below. Definitions: High-Skill, High-Wage, High-Demand (H3) For purposes of the Credentials to Careers Grant: High-Skill occupations are those requiring advanced technical training, postsecondary education, industry-recognized credentials, or specialized skill attainment beyond a high school diploma. High-Wage occupations are those with wages that exceed statewide wage thresholds and offer the potential for family-sustaining earnings. High-Demand occupations are those identified through state or regional labor market information as having strong employment demand, projected job growth, or persistent workforce shortages. Industry-recognized credentials that align to occupations meeting one, two, or all three of these criteria may qualify for competitive preference priority points and tiered funding. Applicants will be screened and scored using the established grant rubric (see attached rubric), including core criteria and the competitive preference priority. Separate applications are required for each credential, and all requested credentials must appear on the state-approved list. Please reference column J on the 2026-2027 state-approved, tiered IRC list to verify the IRC is eligible for the Credentials to Careers Grant. In determining awards, district applicants must demonstrate clear and sustainable plans to align one or more existing CTE pathways with student attainment of industry-recognized credentials. If awarded, grant funds may be used to support costs associated with students earning IRCs. Allowable expenditures include, but are not limited to, student assessment and testing fees, required instructional materials, professional development, instructional equipment and supplies, software, and other program costs necessary to support credential attainment. By aligning CTE programs with stackable credentials, students can build critical skills for in-demand careers while accelerating progress toward advanced credentials or postsecondary degrees. Stackable credentials are portable, build upon prior learning, and help close the skills gap between employer workforce needs and student competencies. These opportunities complement authentic work-based learning, CTE programming, and concurrent enrollment options across Iowa. Funding for Credentials to Careers Grant awards is provided through the Iowa Department of Education’s Perkins Reserve Fund under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 , as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) . On a claim-reimbursement basis, this competitive grant supports accredited programs in developing, expanding, and enhancing CTE pathways and equipment-related needs associated with offering department-approved industry-recognized credentials. Allowable costs for this opportunity may include: Computers (exceed specs of district-issued devices) || Equipment Hardware 734 Hot Spots (eligible only if school districts do not provide for non-CTE students) || Purchased Services 3xx Instructional Equipment || Equipment 731 Instructional Supplies || Supplies 6xx Professional Development (Train-the-Trainer) || Purchased Services 3xx Professional Development Conference Travel || Staff Travel 580 Professional Development Vendor-Led Equipment Training || Purchased Services 3xx Software || Software 735 Student Assessment Fees || Purchased Services 3xx Student Required Materials || Supplies 6xx The deadline for submitting grant applications is Friday, June 12, 2026, at 11:59:59 PM. For any questions about this application and/or industry-recognized credentials Jodie Smith, jodie.smith@iowa.gov .