Program Description
The Career Pathways Exploration (CPE) grant program provides competitive grants to States to build their capacity to integrate career exploration into statewide career pathways and workforce readiness programs.
What's New
Call for Peer Reviewers
The Office of Safe and Supportive Schools seeks individuals from various educational backgrounds, professions, and regions to serve as peer reviewers to assess fiscal year (FY) 2026 CPE grant program applications. The peer review process is designed to identify and fund the highest quality applications and to create opportunities for the general public to participate in government and gain insight into the federal funding process.
For more information, please review the Call for Peer Reviewers.
FY 2026 CPE Grant Program Competition
On May 7, 2026 the U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of $44 million in funding to support the CPE grant program, which will help ensure access to opportunities that expose K-12 students to real-life workforce realities through a variety of career pathway programs that are aligned with State priorities. The closing date for receipt of applications is June 9, 2026.
Associated Federal Register Notice
The competition announcement soliciting applications for the FY 2026 CPE grant program was published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Education on 05/12/2026.
Applicant Information
The FY 2026 Career Pathways Exploration Grant Program Application Notice and Instructions were published on Grants.gov on May 7, 2026. The deadline for submission of a grant application under this competition is 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on June 9, 2026.
Associated Federal Register Notice
The competition announcement soliciting applications for the FY 2026 CPE grant program was published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Education on 05/12/2026.
Pre-Application Presentation
The Technical Assistance for Prospective Applicants presentation provides information on the competition and completing the application:
- Watch the recorded presentation
- FY 2026 Career Pathways Exploration Program (84.424J) Prospective Applicant Presentation Slides
- FY 2026 Career Pathways Exploration Program (84.424J) Prospective Applicant Presentation Transcript
Application Package and Submission
- CPE Application Package: Please note this is an electronic copy for you to download and use as a guide only.
- Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov system.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants for this program are States (as defined in 20 U.S.C.7801(48)). The governor must either apply, or identify, designate, or endorse one of the following entities to apply for this program:
- State educational agencies (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801(49)),
- State workforce development agencies,
- State vocational rehabilitation agencies, or
- Consortia of these entities, including the governor, as a group application under 34 CFR 75.127-129.
Note: Only one application per State is permitted.
Funding
FY 2026 total grant award funding is estimated to be $44,000,000.
Legislation
- Section 4103(a)(3) of title IV, part A of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7113).
Regulations
- The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 97, 98, and 99.
- The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of ED in 2 CFR part 3485.
- The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of ED in 2 CFR part 3474.
Program Description
The Career Pathways Exploration (CPE) grant program provides competitive grants to States to build their capacity to integrate career exploration into statewide career pathways and workforce readiness programs.
What's New
Call for Peer Reviewers
The Office of Safe and Supportive Schools seeks individuals from various educational backgrounds, professions, and regions to serve as peer reviewers to assess fiscal year (FY) 2026 CPE grant program applications. The peer review process is designed to identify and fund the highest quality applications and to create opportunities for the general public to participate in government and gain insight into the federal funding process.
For more information, please review the Call for Peer Reviewers.
FY 2026 CPE Grant Program Competition
On May 7, 2026 the U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of $44 million in funding to support the CPE grant program, which will help ensure access to opportunities that expose K-12 students to real-life workforce realities through a variety of career pathway programs that are aligned with State priorities. The closing date for receipt of applications is June 9, 2026.
Associated Federal Register Notice
The competition announcement soliciting applications for the FY 2026 CPE grant program was published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Education on 05/12/2026.
Applicant Information
The FY 2026 Career Pathways Exploration Grant Program Application Notice and Instructions were published on Grants.gov on May 7, 2026. The deadline for submission of a grant application under this competition is 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on June 9, 2026.
Associated Federal Register Notice
The competition announcement soliciting applications for the FY 2026 CPE grant program was published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Education on 05/12/2026.
Pre-Application Presentation
The Technical Assistance for Prospective Applicants presentation provides information on the competition and completing the application:
- Watch the recorded presentation
- FY 2026 Career Pathways Exploration Program (84.424J) Prospective Applicant Presentation Slides
- FY 2026 Career Pathways Exploration Program (84.424J) Prospective Applicant Presentation Transcript
Application Package and Submission
- CPE Application Package: Please note this is an electronic copy for you to download and use as a guide only.
- Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov system.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants for this program are States (as defined in 20 U.S.C.7801(48)). The governor must either apply, or identify, designate, or endorse one of the following entities to apply for this program:
- State educational agencies (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801(49)),
- State workforce development agencies,
- State vocational rehabilitation agencies, or
- Consortia of these entities, including the governor, as a group application under 34 CFR 75.127-129.
Note: Only one application per State is permitted.
Funding
FY 2026 total grant award funding is estimated to be $44,000,000.
Legislation
- Section 4103(a)(3) of title IV, part A of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7113).
Regulations
- The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 97, 98, and 99.
- The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of ED in 2 CFR part 3485.
- The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of ED in 2 CFR part 3474.