State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Grant Program

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has announced the third round of its State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF 3 – Formula | Round 3) grant program, aimed at expanding access to and the sustainability of Group Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) across Indiana. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, this initiative seeks to support employers, postsecondary institutions, workforce development boards, and other eligible entities committed to workforce development and skill-building through shared apprenticeship models. These Group Sponsors help facilitate the implementation of high-quality RAPs that address regional talent gaps, support fair employment practices, and strengthen employer partnerships. This funding opportunity is specifically designed to assist organizations in establishing or expanding Group Sponsorship models, where multiple employers participate in a centralized apprenticeship program. The primary purpose is to develop infrastructure that simplifies the registration, management, and oversight of apprenticeships across multiple businesses, with the overarching goal of improving access to good-paying jobs and career advancement opportunities for Indiana residents. Group Sponsors are responsible for maintaining compliance with federal RAP regulations, including the development of apprenticeship standards, collection and maintenance of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) documentation, and timely data entry into the Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Data System (RAPIDS). The grant allows for a maximum funding amount of $30,000, depending on the size and status of the applicant’s apprenticeship program. New Group Sponsors with two or more employers may apply for up to $20,000. Existing programs are eligible for tiered awards based on the number of employer partners: up to $15,000 for 2–4 partners, $20,000 for 5–7 partners, and $30,000 for 8 or more. Past awardees demonstrating documented growth may be eligible for increased funding. No matching funds are required. Funds may be used for employer outreach, program administration, reporting, and expansion, with a 5% cap on administrative costs. Grantees must invoice quarterly and may only claim reimbursement for actual allowable expenditures. To qualify, applicants must be either a Registered Apprenticeship Intermediary, an accredited postsecondary institution, a regional workforce board, a trade association, a current Group Sponsor, or another qualified nonprofit or public entity. All applicants are required to have or obtain bidder registration status with the State of Indiana and maintain an active SAM.gov registration throughout the grant period. Eligible RAP participants must be at least 16 years old and eligible to work in the U.S., while participating employers must be in good standing and have completed required U.S. Department of Labor documentation. The grant period for this round will run from January 1, 2026, to May 29, 2027, within the broader SAEF 3 performance window of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Applications are due by February 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, with award notifications anticipated by March 15, 2026. Required application materials include a completed application, eligibility documentation, employer MOUs (if applicable), approved Standards of Apprenticeship, Employer Agreements, and a Total Budget and Fiscal Accountability Form. All required forms must be submitted through the application portal. Grantees must submit quarterly progress reports to the DWD’s Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship. These reports must detail the expansion of RAPs and employer partners, apprentice participation, and expenditures incurred. Data reporting and evaluation metrics will also be collected to assess the success of the program. By fostering collaborative apprenticeship infrastructure through Group Sponsors, this funding opportunity is a strategic investment in Indiana’s workforce development and economic sustainability initiatives.