FAA Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce

The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant Program is administered by the Federal Aviation Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation. This program is part of a broader federal initiative to strengthen the aviation workforce pipeline in response to industry-wide shortages of qualified maintenance personnel. The FAA, as the primary federal authority overseeing civil aviation, uses this program to invest in workforce development efforts that expand training capacity, improve access to aviation careers, and support long-term sustainability of the aviation maintenance sector. The program is authorized under federal legislation including the FAA Reauthorization Acts and operates as a competitive discretionary grant opportunity. The primary purpose of the program is to support the education, recruitment, and career development of aviation maintenance technical workers. It seeks to increase the number of individuals entering and advancing within the aviation maintenance field by funding programs that provide meaningful educational experiences, technical training, and career transition support. The program specifically targets high school students, postsecondary students, veterans transitioning to civilian careers, and individuals seeking to upskill or enter the aviation maintenance workforce. The initiative also prioritizes outreach efforts that raise awareness of aviation careers and promote participation across diverse populations. Funding under this program supports a range of eligible activities, including the development and delivery of aviation maintenance curricula, establishment or expansion of apprenticeship and internship programs, scholarship initiatives, and outreach campaigns. Funds may also be used to support equipment purchases related to training, though restrictions apply, including a cap on equipment costs and prohibitions on heavy equipment, aircraft operation expenses, and construction activities. Scholarships and limited field trip costs are allowable, while lobbying, litigation, and certain non-essential expenditures are disallowed. The program does not require cost sharing or matching contributions, which lowers barriers to entry for eligible applicants. Eligible applicants include certified repair stations, labor organizations representing aviation maintenance workers, accredited educational institutions such as high schools and colleges, aviation-related nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and state, local, territorial, or Tribal government entities. Individuals are not eligible to apply directly. Applicants must demonstrate eligibility through documentation such as accreditation certificates or IRS determination letters and must be registered in the System for Award Management. Partnerships are encouraged, though sub-awards are prohibited, and only one application per lead entity is permitted. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple mandatory components such as the SF-424 application form, a project abstract, a detailed project narrative, budget forms, and supporting documentation. The project narrative must address specific evaluation criteria including project planning, organizational capacity, project impact, and administrative oversight. Applications are evaluated through a structured review process that includes initial eligibility screening followed by a technical evaluation with scoring across defined merit criteria. Only applications meeting minimum scoring thresholds are considered for funding. Key dates for the program include an application opening on May 18, 2026, and a submission deadline of June 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be announced in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, between July and September 2026. Funded projects may have a period of performance of up to 24 months. Recipients are required to submit quarterly and final reports documenting progress, outcomes, and financial expenditures. For additional information or inquiries, applicants may contact the FAA directly via email at AWD-Grants@faa.gov.

Ensure project plan aligns with FAA merit criteria including SMART objectives; demonstrate measurable workforce outcomes such as certifications and job placement; clearly document organizational capacity and accounting systems; prioritize partnerships and sustainability beyond grant period