OSERS-OSEP: Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships

The Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education, specifically through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. The program is authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and is designed to address persistent workforce shortages in special education and early intervention services. By supporting state-led apprenticeship initiatives, the program aims to strengthen the pipeline of qualified professionals serving children with disabilities while aligning training with evidence-based practices and workforce demands. The primary purpose of this grant competition is to fund cooperative agreements that support the development, implementation, scaling, and sustainability of registered apprenticeship programs. These programs are intended to attract, prepare, and retain special education teachers and early intervention personnel. The initiative emphasizes integrating work-based learning with formal instruction, ensuring participants gain practical experience while progressing toward recognized credentials and licensure. Projects must demonstrate how they will build state capacity and establish sustainable systems that continue beyond the grant period. Funding under this program is substantial, with awards not exceeding five million dollars over a project period of up to sixty months, and no more than one million dollars per year. The total estimated funding available for the competition is seven million dollars, with approximately seven awards anticipated. Funds may be used for program development, partnerships, evaluation, and administrative activities necessary to implement apprenticeship pathways. However, grant funds cannot be used to pay apprentice salaries, and all costs must comply with federal cost principles. No cost sharing or matching is required. Eligibility is restricted to state educational agencies and other public agencies, including IDEA Part C lead agencies and state apprenticeship agencies. Applicants that are not the primary state educational agency must partner with the appropriate state entity. Other entities such as local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and charter schools are not eligible to apply directly but may participate as subgrantees or partners. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to collaborate with workforce systems, education providers, and community organizations to support program implementation. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov, with all applicants required to maintain active registrations in both SAM.gov and Grants.gov systems. Applications must include standard federal forms, a detailed project narrative, a budget and budget narrative, and supporting documentation such as resumes and assurances. The project narrative must address significance, project design, management, resources, and evaluation. Applicants must also outline measurable outcomes, including recruitment, completion, and retention metrics, and describe how they will collect and use performance data. Applications will be evaluated based on established federal selection criteria, including significance, quality of project design, management plan, adequacy of resources, and evaluation strategy. Reviewers will score applications up to a maximum of 100 points. Successful applicants must also comply with federal reporting requirements and demonstrate progress toward program goals to receive continuation funding in later years. The Department of Education may extend funding beyond the initial three years based on performance. The application deadline for this competition is July 13, 2026, with applications required to be submitted electronically by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Intergovernmental review deadlines extend to September 11, 2026. The program does not explicitly state a recurring cycle, but as part of a federal discretionary grant program, future competitions may occur depending on appropriations. Applicants may contact Anna Macedonia at the Department of Education for additional information via email or phone.

Align project with state workforce shortages data; demonstrate strong partnerships with SEAs and workforce systems; provide measurable outcomes and evaluation plans; ensure sustainability beyond grant period