Workforce Accelerator Fund 14

The Workforce Accelerator Fund 14 grant program is administered by the California Workforce Development Board, a state entity responsible for advancing workforce policy and innovation across California. The program is funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act using discretionary funds allocated to the Governor, with total program funding of up to three million dollars provided by the United States Department of Labor. The initiative reflects California’s strategic focus on emerging industries and workforce readiness, particularly in highly technical and innovation-driven sectors such as Quantum and Fusion. The purpose of this grant program is to support the development of scalable and replicable career pathway models that prepare individuals for employment in Quantum, Fusion, or related supply chain occupations. The program emphasizes building structured pathways that include multiple entry and exit points, allowing participants to progress from K-12 education through community college and university systems. Projects are expected to create short-term, industry-recognized credentials that can be completed in approximately eight to thirteen weeks and that lead directly to employment opportunities that do not require a four-year degree. Funding may be used to design and implement training programs, provide career exploration and technical education, and support job placement activities. Applicants are encouraged to include outreach, recruitment, and supportive services targeting individuals who face barriers to employment. The program also allows for both participant-serving projects, referred to as Innovation Impact projects, and non-participant-serving initiatives focused on planning and development. All funded programs must demonstrate the ability to integrate education systems and workforce training into a cohesive pathway aligned with employer needs. Applicants may request up to one million five hundred thousand dollars in funding and are required to provide matching or leveraged funds at a one-to-one ratio from non-CWDB sources. This cost-sharing requirement ensures that projects demonstrate financial commitment and sustainability beyond the grant period. The grant term is expected to run from January 1, 2027 through March 31, 2029, providing a multi-year implementation window for program development and evaluation. Eligibility is limited to a defined set of public and nonprofit entities, including K-12 school districts, community colleges, public universities, nonprofit and community-based organizations, local workforce development boards, and adult education providers. In addition to meeting these eligibility criteria, applicants must form partnerships that include at least one employer and at least one educational institution partner, with preference for comprehensive partnerships that span K-12, community college, and university systems. Documentation of these partnerships must be submitted as part of the application. The application process includes submission through an online system following the release of the Request for Applications on July 15, 2026. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend an application webinar and optional virtual office hours to better understand requirements and technical submission processes. Applications are due by August 27, 2026 at five o'clock in the afternoon Pacific Time. Award announcements are anticipated in Fall 2026, followed by an agreement processing period of one to three months before program start. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the summary but are expected to focus on program design, scalability, partnership strength, alignment with industry needs, and the ability to serve targeted populations. The program is not described as recurring, and no future cycles are specified. Contact is facilitated through general program communication channels, including question and answer documents and scheduled support sessions, rather than a named individual contact.

Ensure strong employer and education partnerships and demonstrate scalable workforce pathways aligned to Quantum or Fusion sectors