FY26 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program
This grant provides $10 million to help employers and unions support and retain women in apprenticeships and nontraditional jobs through technical assistance, training, and supportive services.
Funder: Womens Bureau
Due Dates: June 21, 2026 | July 6, 2026
Funding Amounts: $350,000–$750,000 per award for up to 24 months; approx. $10,000,000 total funding; 13–28 awards expected.
Summary: Supports community-based nonprofits in providing technical assistance to increase women’s participation and retention in apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations.
Key Information: Only community-based nonprofits (CBOs) are eligible; FY25 WANTO grantees are not eligible for FY26.
Description
This program, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau, provides funding to community-based organizations to deliver technical assistance (TA) that encourages and supports the employment of women in apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO). The TA may include establishing or enhancing pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs, providing resources and orientations for employers and unions to foster women-friendly workplaces, and setting up support groups or networks to improve women’s retention in these fields. Priority is given to projects expanding opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing, AI, IT, mining, and Shipbuilding and Defense Industrial Base industries.
