Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants (Round 6)
Can you apply?
This grant is for community colleges and their partners to develop and strengthen workforce training programs. Eligible applicants include public community colleges, tribal colleges, and consortia led by community colleges. Programs must focus on preparing workers for in-demand occupations and industries. Geographic scope includes all U.S. states and territories. Activities supported include curriculum development, instructor training, equipment purchase, and student support services related to occupational training.
Applicants must be institutions accredited to award associate degrees or higher in workforce training fields. Matching funds or in-kind contributions are typically expected. Priority is given to programs serving low-income, underemployed, and dislocated workers.
Program description
Round 6 of the Strengthening Community Colleges (SCC or SCC6) grants will fund community colleges, with a singular focus on building program and system capacity for implementing and scaling access to short-term training opportunities through Workforce Pell Grants—i.e., promoting industry-driven strategies, worker mobility, and integration with the larger state workforce system (e.g., Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) partners) for statewide impact. Questions regarding this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) may be emailed to Sarah Medley at SCC6_FOA-ETA-26-40@dol.gov. We encourage prospective applicants and interested parties to use the Grants.gov subscription option to register for future updates provided for this particular FOA.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Letters of Support from Employers
- Labor Market Analysis
- Evaluation Plan
- Letters of Commitment from Partners
- Proof of Institutional Accreditation
Program contact
- 👤 Employment and Training Administration
- 📧 SCC6_FOA-ETA-26-40@dol.gov
- 📞 202-693-2606
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 17.280 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$19,929,198
-
$8,000,000
-
$7,999,920
-
$5,705,600
-
$4,999,192
-
$4,897,718
-
$4,682,663
-
$4,453,680
-
$4,310,420
-
$3,988,971
Top States by Funding
- GA 4 awards $28.3M
- VA 7 awards $16.2M
- LA 9 awards $14.0M
- WV 7 awards $11.3M
- AR 7 awards $11.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 17.280). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $32,585,900 | |
| 2025 | $23,399,992 | |
| 2026 est. | $30,085,900 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Public and tribal community colleges and consortia led by community colleges are eligible. Partners may include employers, labor unions, and workforce agencies.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is May 20, 2026. Applications open on February 17, 2026.
What types of training programs are supported?
Programs must prepare students for in-demand occupations. Eligible activities include curriculum development, instructor training, and equipment purchases.
How competitive is this funding?
This is a competitive federal grant. Strong applications align with regional labor market needs and demonstrate employer engagement.
What is the typical funding level?
Awards typically range from $200,000 to $1,000,000+ per project. Exact amounts vary based on project scope and competition.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Conduct a local labor market analysis. Identify high-demand occupations in your region before writing.
- Build strong employer partnerships. Letters of support from employers improve competitiveness significantly.
- Include detailed budget narratives. Explain how each expense directly supports training quality and student outcomes.
- Demonstrate institutional commitment. Show that your college will sustain the program after grant funding ends.
- Highlight equity focus. Explain how the program serves low-income and underemployed populations.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when they lack evidence of labor market demand or employer support. Programs without clear sustainability plans or matching funds struggle. Weak evaluation plans and vague learning outcomes reduce competitiveness.
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