Credentials to Computer Science Careers Grant

An $850,000 grant opportunity to support high schoolers' attainment of computer science credentials.

The goal of the Credentials to Computer Science Careers Grant is to increase access to computer science-related Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs) for Iowa students. Funds must be used to provide access to computer science-related IRCs.

District and nonpublic school applicants should demonstrate clear, sustainable plans to align one or more existing computer science or CTE pathways with student attainment of an industry-recognized credential aligned to industry needs and labor market demand.

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Apply

The the application window for the Credentials to Careers Computer Science Grant closed on Sept. 30, 2025.

Credentials to Computer Science Careers Grant: FY25 Grant Application and Implementation Guidelines

Credentials to Computer Science Careers Grant Rubric

Eligible Applicants

All Iowa public school districts and all Iowa accredited nonpublic school systems that do not currently (or have in the past) offer the computer science-related IRCs for which funding is being requested.

Eligible Activities

Grant funds are made available to awarded applicants for the following purposes:

  • Testing costs for students to earn IRC
  • Student training costs for necessary learning for IRC
  • Teacher training for delivering student learning/IRC test proctoring
  • Necessary materials for learning/testing
  • Associated travel costs
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Approved IRCs for Grant Opportunity

2025-26 

State approved CTE-IS IRCs:

  • CompTIA A+
  • Java SE 8 Programmer
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate
  • Site Development Associate
  • Google Cloud – Foundational
  • IT Specialist-AI
  • IT Specialist-Cybersecurity
  • IT Specialist- Networking
  • Unity certification
  • Fortinet Certified Fundamentals Cybersecurity
  • Certified Entry Level Python Programmer
  • Adobe Certified Professional
  • AWS Foundational

Added for 2026-27

The following IRCs are not currently on the state approved list, but will be added to the list for the 2026-2027 academic year, and are eligible for grant funding through this opportunity:

Google:

  • Cybersecurity
  • IT Support
  • Data Analytics
  • User Experience Design
  • IT Automation with Python
  • Advanced Data Analytics
  • AI Essentials
  • Prompting Essentials

Amazon Web Services:

  • Certified Cloud Practitioner
  • Certified AI Practitioner
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Certified Developer
  • Certified Data Engineer

CompTIA:

  • Cloud+
  • CySA+
  • Data+
  • DataSys+
  • Linux+
  • Network+
  • Pentest+
  • Security+
  • Server+
  • IT Fundamentals
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