The Iowa Department of Education has opened the second round of grant funding for the 2022-23 Career Academy Incentive Fund. The deadline to apply is April 20.

Proposals must include collaboration between at least one Iowa school district and one community college. Partnerships that promote equitable access to high-quality career and technical education (CTE) programs are strongly encouraged to apply. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who focus on programming delivered through regional centers that include partnerships between multiple Iowa school districts and their local community college.

The Career Academy Incentive Fund is provided through the 2019 reauthorization of Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE), and individual grant programs can be awarded up to $1 million for career academy development and expansion. The number of grant awards is based on the amount of funds available and the scope of projects submitted.

The first round of the 2022-23 Career Academy Incentive Fund was awarded in December 2022. Iowa Central Community College, North Scott Community School District, Northwest Iowa Community College and Southwestern Community College each received a $1 million grant award to increase access to career academy programs in their areas.

Application materials have been updated for the second round of funding. The most current application and career academy program application can be found on the Department’s Career Academy Incentive Fund webpage.

Questions regarding the Career Academy Incentive Fund can be directed to Jen Rathje at jennifer.rathje@iowa.gov.

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