The Iowa Department of Education is now accepting grant applications for the first round of the 2023-24 Career Academy Incentive Fund. Grant applications for this round will be accepted through Nov. 16.
Submissions 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 go to applicants with partnerships between multiple school districts and a community college and who deliver programming through a regional center, which is a central location that offers high school students from several school districts the opportunity to explore career options while earning both high school and college credit.
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 2023-24 Career Academy Incentive Fund marks the seventh round of grants. The most recent awardee was Iowa Western Community College, which received $1 million in funding for the development of a new regional center.
Career academies play an important role in expanding access to CTE programs for Iowa’s students. Valuable skill development, career exploration, work-based learning and professional training for high-demand careers are provided through career academies.
Current information and grant applications materials can be found on the Department’s Career Academy Incentive Fund webpage.
Questions regarding the Career Academy Incentive Fund may be directed to Heather Meissen at heather.meissen@iowa.gov.
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