Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Ed Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships (84.325J)

The purpose of the Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships competition is to fund cooperative agreements that support registered apprenticeship programs that attract, prepare, and retain special education teachers or early intervention personnel. This priority is particularly relevant for special education and early intervention, where high-quality preparation must be accessible, practice-based, and closely integrated with service delivery systems. Preparing qualified special education teachers and early intervention personnel through registered apprenticeship programs addresses critical workforce shortages, integrating work-based learning, and connecting preparation with local and State labor demands. 

FY 2026 Funding

Estimated Available Funds: $7,000,000

Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $1,000,000 for a single budget period of 12 months.

Expected Number of Awards: 7

Program Authority

20 U.S.C. 1462, 1481-1482 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Eligibility

State educational agencies (SEAs) and other public agencies, including IDEA Part C lead agencies and State apprenticeship agencies. 

Note: To meet the absolute priority, eligible applicants must be a State agency, and if not the SEA or IDEA Part C lead agency, the applicant must partner with the SEA or IDEA Part C lead agency to implement the project. Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 1461(b)(2), other types of entities such as local educational agencies (LEAs), institutions of higher education (IHEs), and public charter schools, are not eligible to apply. 

Applicant Information

• Applicant Abstract Template
• Associated Application Notice and Instructions

No awards have been announced under this program yet.