Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ETA 26 19
Apply for FOA ETA 26 19
- The Employment and Training Administration in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pay-for-Performance (PfP) Incentive Payments Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.285.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-02-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-04-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $40,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Pay-for-Performance (PfP) Incentive Payments Program is a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) discretionary funding opportunity designed to accelerate growth of the National Apprenticeship System, with the explicit aim of helping the Administration surpass 1 million active apprentices. The core idea is to use performance-based incentive payments to motivate Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors to expand capacity, enroll more apprentices, and scale programs quickly in areas where there is already enough infrastructure to grow fast and deliver measurable increases.
DOL expects to make up to five cooperative agreement awards under this announcement (Funding Opportunity Number FOA ETA 26 19), each with a four-year period of performance. The structure emphasizes rapid scaling in two ways. First, DOL plans to award up to four cooperative agreements focused on targeted industries; these awards would provide incentive payments to program sponsors on a per-apprentice basis for new apprentices enrolled during the cooperative agreement term. The targeted industries listed in the announcement are Shipbuilding and the Defense Industrial Base; Artificial Intelligence (AI); Semiconductor; Nuclear Energy Infrastructure; Information Technology; Healthcare; Transportation; and Telecommunication. DOL signals a particular priority for Shipbuilding and the Defense Industrial Base and states an intention to make an award in that industry area as long as it receives a strong, qualified application, which is a useful indicator for applicants considering where DOL is likely to concentrate resources.
Second, DOL plans to award one additional cooperative agreement that is not limited to the specific targeted industries. This award is intended to drive rapid scaling of Registered Apprenticeship more broadly by tying incentive funding to substantial increases achieved through cohort-based apprentice growth. In practical terms, this “across other industries” track is meant to support expansion in sectors not included in the targeted list, while still using a pay-for-performance approach that rewards meaningful increases in apprentice cohorts rather than simply supporting activity without measurable expansion.
Because this is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, recipients should expect more substantial federal involvement in implementation, oversight, and coordination than is typical for formula or less-involved grant mechanisms. The maximum award amount listed is $40,000,000 (award ceiling), and ETA anticipates five total awards. The program is associated with CFDA number 17.285 and falls under the Employment, Labor and Training activity category.
Eligibility is broad and includes multiple organizational types that can credibly operate at scale or act as intermediaries. Eligible applicants include state governments and territories; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The narrative also highlights likely applicant profiles such as state agencies, national industry groups and associations, national labor-management organizations, national economic development entities, Registered Apprenticeship and workforce intermediary organizations, professional consulting organizations, and consortia led by one or more eligible entities. Faith-based organizations are explicitly encouraged to apply, and DOL notes it will not discriminate in selection or administration based on religious character or affiliation, consistent with federal nondiscrimination principles for funding decisions.
For timing and logistics, the opportunity was created on 2026-02-13 and has an application closing date of 2026-04-03. Interested applicants are encouraged to follow the opportunity on Grants.gov using the subscription feature to receive updates. Program-specific questions are directed to PfPFOA-ETA-26-19@dol.gov, and applicants are instructed to consult the full Funding Opportunity Announcement for detailed eligibility rules, application requirements, and the specific performance and reporting expectations that will govern how incentive payments are calculated and awarded.
Pay-for-Performance (PfP) Incentive Payments Program (FOA ETA 26 19) - FAQs
What is the Pay-for-Performance (PfP) Incentive Payments Program?
The Pay-for-Performance (PfP) Incentive Payments Program is a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) discretionary funding opportunity designed to accelerate growth of the National Apprenticeship System. The stated aim is to help the Administration surpass 1 million active apprentices by using performance-based incentive payments to motivate Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors to expand capacity, enroll more apprentices, and scale programs quickly where there is sufficient infrastructure to grow and show measurable increases.
What type of funding opportunity is this?
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. That means recipients should expect more substantial federal involvement in implementation, oversight, and coordination than is typical for other grant mechanisms.
How many awards does DOL expect to make?
DOL expects to make up to five cooperative agreement awards under this announcement.
How long is the period of performance?
Each award has a four-year period of performance.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed is $40,000,000.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FOA ETA 26 19.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The program is associated with CFDA number 17.285.
What is the overall funding strategy or core approach?
The core approach is pay-for-performance: performance-based incentive payments are used to encourage Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors to increase enrollments and scale programs quickly, with an emphasis on measurable growth in apprentices.
How is the program structured?
The announcement describes two scaling pathways: (1) up to four cooperative agreements focused on targeted industries, and (2) one additional cooperative agreement that is not limited to the targeted industries and instead supports rapid scaling across other industries using cohort-based apprentice growth tied to incentive funding.
What are the targeted industries for the industry-focused awards?
The targeted industries listed are Shipbuilding and the Defense Industrial Base; Artificial Intelligence (AI); Semiconductor; Nuclear Energy Infrastructure; Information Technology; Healthcare; Transportation; and Telecommunication.
Is any targeted industry given special priority?
Yes. DOL signals a particular priority for Shipbuilding and the Defense Industrial Base and states an intention to make an award in that industry area as long as it receives a strong, qualified application.
How do incentive payments work in the targeted-industry track?
For the targeted industry cooperative agreements, the awards would provide incentive payments to program sponsors on a per-apprentice basis for new apprentices enrolled during the cooperative agreement term.
What is the "across other industries" track?
DOL plans to award one cooperative agreement that is not limited to the targeted industries. This track is intended to drive rapid scaling of Registered Apprenticeship more broadly by tying incentive funding to substantial increases achieved through cohort-based apprentice growth, supporting expansion in sectors not included in the targeted list.
Does the "across other industries" track still use a pay-for-performance approach?
Yes. The description indicates it uses a pay-for-performance approach that rewards meaningful increases in apprentice cohorts rather than supporting activity without measurable expansion.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include state governments and territories; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities.
What types of organizations does the announcement suggest are likely applicants?
The announcement highlights likely applicant profiles such as state agencies, national industry groups and associations, national labor-management organizations, national economic development entities, Registered Apprenticeship and workforce intermediary organizations, professional consulting organizations, and consortia led by one or more eligible entities.
Are faith-based organizations eligible or encouraged to apply?
Yes. Faith-based organizations are explicitly encouraged to apply, and DOL notes it will not discriminate in selection or administration based on religious character or affiliation, consistent with federal nondiscrimination principles for funding decisions.
What is the goal related to the National Apprenticeship System?
The explicit stated aim is to help the Administration surpass 1 million active apprentices.
What kinds of apprenticeship programs does this opportunity focus on?
The opportunity focuses on Registered Apprenticeship and is designed to motivate Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors to expand capacity, enroll more apprentices, and scale programs.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-02-13.
What is the application closing date?
The application closing date is 2026-04-03.
How can applicants receive updates about the opportunity?
Interested applicants are encouraged to follow the opportunity on Grants.gov using the subscription feature to receive updates.
Where should program-specific questions be sent?
Program-specific questions are directed to PfPFOA-ETA-26-19@dol.gov.
Where can applicants find the detailed rules and requirements?
Applicants are instructed to consult the full Funding Opportunity Announcement for detailed eligibility rules, application requirements, and the specific performance and reporting expectations that will govern how incentive payments are calculated and awarded.
What government agency is administering this program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
What is the activity category for this program?
The program falls under the Employment, Labor and Training activity category.
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