Employment and Training Pathways Program (ETPP) Program Year 2026-27 (PY 26-27)

Who can apply

NonprofitPublic AgencyTribal Government

Local Workforce Development Areas (Local Areas) or boards, adult/education and training providers, community colleges, private non-profit organizations, labor organizations, tribal organizations, faith-based organizations, public agencies (local governments), and community-based organizations (CBOs) are eligible to apply.

Where: The ETPP PY 26-27 seeks proposals that plan to serve English Language Learners (ELLs); justice-involved individuals; disabled individuals facing barriers to employment; opportunity young adults (OYA) who are not working, working in low-wage occupations, have a pattern of intermittent employment, or are not in school; veterans who face systemic barriers to employment; and individuals on public benefits facing new work requirements.

Purpose

The ETPP grants will be awarded to develop and implement projects that accelerate pathways to employment for populations facing significant employment barriers into high-demand occupations for good-quality jobs.  The ETPP will develop skill-based pathways by intregrating education and workforce training programs to align with the specific needs of to serve California’s highest-needs populations.

Description

The ETPP grants will be awarded to develop and implement projects that accelerate pathways to employment for populations facing significant employment barriers into high-demand occupations for good-quality jobs. The ETPP will develop skill-based pathways by integrating education and workforce training programs to align with the specific needs of the state’s strategic industry sectors which will will not only ensure that individuals are connected to good-quality jobs but become better prepared to enter high-demand fields. The ETPP aligns with the California Master Plan for Career Education and the Unified Strategic Workforce Development Plan to help connect California workers to jobs and promote sustainable growth of the state’s economy.  Proposals must be received by 11:59 p.m. on November 9, 2026. Two informational webinars will be held on October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required for all participants. Once the SFP releases, please refer to the EDD’s Workforce Development Solicitation for Proposals website for the pre-registration link. After successfully pre-registering, a system-generated email will provide the webinar link.   Applicants must demonstrate the ability to leverage a minimum of 20 percent of their budget with funds or services from other sources. The leverage needed for funds is based on the total grant funding requested. Applicants are encouraged to braid funds, leverage human capital, and utilize other resources to maximize the success of the project. Leveraged resources can come from a variety of sources. To view the SFP once it releases, visit the EDD Workforce Development Solicitations for Proposals webpage at https://edd.ca.gov/en/jobs_and_training/wdsfp_workforce_development_solicitations_for_proposals.  The EDD encourages applicants to submit a notice of intent to apply by October 23, 2026, at noon PT to [email protected].

Important dates

Opened

Oct 8, 2026

Application deadline

Nov 9, 2026

Expected award announcement

01/01/2026

Period of performance

4/1/27-3/31/29

Funding details

Total estimated available

$17,000,000.00

Estimated amount per award

Between $1,000,000.00 and $2,000,000.00

Expected number of awards

Between 9 and 17

Letter of intent required

No

Matching funds

Not Required

Funding source

Federal

Funding source notes

The Employment Development Department (EDD), on behalf of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, announces the availability of up to $17 million in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Governor’s discretionary funds for the Employment and Training Pathways Program (ETPP) Program Year 2026-27 (PY 26-27) Solicitation for Proposals (SFP).

Funding method

Reimbursement(s)

Funding method notes

The EDD will contact with subrecipients through a Subgrant Agreement (contract). The EDD may request that the contracts incorporate changes to the original project proposals. The awardees will officially enter into a contract with EDD to provide the services and serve the number of participants listed in the contract for the amount awarded.

How to apply

Read the full guidelines on the grantor's site, then apply there. Nothing is submitted through this site.

Submission: email: [email protected]

• Grant guidelines & application ↗
• Employment Development Department ↗
• Original listing on grants.ca.gov ↗

Questions about this grant: name: Brandon Raveling; email: [email protected]; tel: 1-916-891-9189;