Professional Pathways Program

The Professional Pathways Program is administered by the New York State Office for New Americans within the New York State Department of State. Established in 2012, the Office for New Americans has focused on providing immigration-related services and workforce support to immigrant communities across the state. This Request for Applications seeks to expand and strengthen an existing program designed to integrate highly skilled immigrants into the workforce by aligning their foreign education and experience with employment opportunities in New York State. The program builds on earlier efforts launched in 2021 and continues to address workforce shortages while promoting economic inclusion. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support not-for-profit organizations in delivering workforce development services tailored to immigrants who were educated or trained outside the United States. These individuals often face barriers such as credential recognition, language proficiency, and unfamiliarity with the U.S. job market. The program funds two types of roles: regional Job Coach providers and a single statewide Lead Agency. Job Coaches work directly with participants to support career development, while the Lead Agency provides coordination, training, and technical assistance across all regions. Funding is intended to support a wide range of workforce development activities. These include participant recruitment, screening, credential evaluation, job readiness training, English language development referrals, and direct job placement services. The program emphasizes connecting participants with employers in high-demand industries such as healthcare, education, engineering, information technology, and business. Funds may be used for staffing, outreach, training programs, translation services, and operational support, but must directly relate to program delivery. Administrative costs are capped at ten percent of direct costs, and all services must be provided at no cost to participants. Eligibility is limited to not-for-profit organizations located within New York State that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and prequalified in the Statewide Financial System by the application deadline. Organizations may apply for either regional Job Coach roles or the statewide Lead Agency role, but must submit separate applications for each. Applicants must demonstrate experience in workforce development, immigrant services, employer engagement, and program management. The program targets immigrants residing or working in New York State, including mixed-status families and immigrant business owners. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal including administrative forms, a project narrative, organizational capacity description, program plan, and detailed budget. Applications may be submitted electronically or by mail. Required attachments include a contact cover page, budget summary, MWBE compliance documentation, and certifications related to executive orders and workplace policies. Evaluation is based on project design, organizational experience, program implementation strategy, and budget justification, with a minimum score required for funding consideration. The timeline for this opportunity includes a release date of June 12, 2026, a questions deadline of June 24, 2026, and a final application deadline of August 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to support an initial one-year contract period with the possibility of three one-year renewals, contingent on funding availability and performance. The program operates as a reimbursement-based grant, with the possibility of an initial advance payment. Applicants are encouraged to ensure timely submission and compliance with all requirements to avoid disqualification. Overall, the Professional Pathways Program represents a strategic investment in workforce development and immigrant integration. By leveraging the skills of internationally trained professionals and connecting them with employers, the program aims to strengthen the state economy while improving employment outcomes for immigrant populations. It also fosters collaboration between community-based organizations, employers, and state agencies to address workforce gaps in a coordinated and sustainable manner.

Ensure strong employer partnerships demonstrate measurable workforce outcomes and align services with regional labor market needs