Career Pathways Exploration Grant Program 84.424J
This grant funds States to expand K-12 career exploration programs aligned with workforce needs, helping students gain skills for high-demand fields and supporting statewide coordination and sharing of best practices.
Funder: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Due Dates: June 9, 2026: Full application deadline | August 5, 2026: Intergovernmental Review deadline
Funding Amounts: Estimated total funding: $44,000,000 | Award ceiling: $9,000,000 | Project period: up to 36 months
Summary: Supports states in building capacity to integrate career exploration into K-12 career pathways and workforce readiness programs.
Key Information: Only one application per state is permitted; applicants must be designated or endorsed by the governor.
Description
This grant program provides competitive funding to states to expand and integrate career exploration opportunities into statewide career pathways and workforce readiness programs for elementary and secondary students. The initiative aims to align K-12 education with labor market needs, ensuring students are exposed to real-world workforce realities, and to build scalable infrastructure for learning and employment records (LERs), talent marketplaces, and partnerships with local workforce boards. The program is designed to help states and local educational agencies (LEAs) offer well-rounded educational opportunities, preparing students for high-demand fields and supporting workforce development strategies aligned with state priorities.
