Welcome to the online application portal for the Kansas Department of Commerce! Review and apply for funding opportunities.
Thank you for your interest in enrolling in the Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE) program. Enrollment is open to all Kansas communities committed to strengthening local leadership, volunteerism, collaboration, and quality of place.
Completion of this form serves as your community’s agreement to participate in KCE for the 2026–2027 program year, pending review and approval by Kansas Commerce.
Beginning in 2026, this form must be completed annually during the open enrollment period, which runs from July 1 through August 31 each year. Tier changes can only be made during this enrollment window.
Communities enrolling now during the Special Enrollment Period (December 1–31, 2025) will be considered enrolled for the 2026–2027 program year and will not need to reapply until the summer of 2027, unless they choose to update their tier selection.
For details on tier requirements and benefits, please visit www.kansascommerce.gov/kce.
The Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship (KOA) has realized significant growth in high-wage and high-demand occupations, but there still remains a significant need to engage small businesses essential to the state economic success.
This grant specifically targets small businesses with less than 10 full-time employees, and will provide $7,000 one-time grants to support the registration of New Apprentices in high-wage and high-demand occupations.
*This grant opportunity is contingent on funding provided in the State of Kansas approved budget. The KDC reserves the right to not award funding.
Eligible Participants:
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship remains committed to addressing the state’s high-wage, high-demand workforce needs through the continued development and support of Registered Apprenticeship programs.
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship and Kansas Apprenticeship Council has a 6-year strategic plan thataligns with the Kansas Framework for Growth and directly meets all four pillars of the framework, specifically “Talent”. The KOA has been strategic in growing Registered Apprenticeship programs in only high-wage and high-demand occupations in each of the target sectors identified for accelerated growth including: advanced manufacturing, aerospace, distribution and transportation, food & agriculture, professional & technical services, healthcare and education.
Small businesses with fewer than 10 employees are the backbone of the Kansas economy, and range from local auto repair shops and HVAC companies to custom harvesting operations. These businesses are not only essential to sustaining daily life across the state, but many are also owned by an aging workforce. Without a clear transition plan, their closure could trigger significant economic decline in their regions. Registered Apprenticeship has emerged as a powerful tool for both workforce development and succession planning, offering a sustainable path to keep these vital businesses operational and rooted in their communities.
This grant is intended to expand the use of Registered Apprenticeship among small businesses and address the misconceptions that have historically limited their participation.
Eligible Entities:
- Have a Kansas-based address and be in good standing with the Kansas Department of Revenue
- Currently employ less than 10 full-time employee's (part-time employees do not count toward the minimum number)
- Occupation to apprentice must be high wage and high demand (starting $15/hr with wage progression and strong current employment and expected job growth)
- Interested in exploring Registered Apprenticeship – and ability to hire or train an employee
Registered Apprenticeship Project Grants Timeline
August 25 - September 25, 2025 – Application open until all funding is awarded.
October 1, 2025 – Earliest Notice of Award
Projects must be completed by September 30, 2026
Use of Funds
An organization may submit one application. The total program budget is up to $105,000, or 15 awards at $7,000 each. Eligible uses include:
- Staff time to explore options, training equipment, related technical instruction, contracted services, and administrative costs.
- This funding cannot be used for apprenticeship wages.
- KDC reserves the right to award all or parts of the request based on funding limitations.
Disbursement Method: Reimbursement
Apprenticeship Grant funds will be administered through an MOU process. Quarterly Narrative and Fiscal reports will be required by all awardees.
Additional information on previous awards for how this is done can be found here: https://ksapprenticeship.org/resource-page/kansas-office-of-apprenticeship-state-grants/
The TAPS Grant is designed to support projects that enhance the quality and usability of public spaces by turning overlooked or unattractive infrastructure into engaging and functional elements of the community. These public art interventions will encourage local artists and organizations to engage with the community, turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, and enhance the environment for residents and visitors alike.
By improving the quality of public spaces, this grant aims to repurpose mundane or unsightly objects—such as electrical boxes, fire hydrants, benches, and utility poles—into assets that contribute to the vibrancy, functionality, and beauty of the environment while fostering community pride and stimulating creativity.
Projects will add color, texture, engagement, and creativity to communities and spark conversation about the role of design in our landscapes.
Please refer to the full guidelines to ensure your application fits the criteria. For full scale murals, please visit the Mural Making resources page, the Office of Rural Prosperity's Rural Murals program, and the Kansas Arts Commission's Public Art & Mural additional assistance and funding. TAPS funding is meant for small-scale, playful interventions on public infrastructure to encourage community creativity and future engagement.
Effective July 1, 2023, Governor Kelly signed into law the Kansas Apprenticeship Act (Act), which establishes a tax credit and grant incentive program for apprenticeships and creates a matching grant program. This act establishes an incentive fund for businesses and non-profits hiring registered apprentices. It is separated into 3 specific areas including $7.5 million in tax credits to for-profit businesses*, $2.5 million for non-profits and healthcare, and $3 million for K-12 Education. The incentive fund is a use-it-or-lose-it fund as it does not allow for carry-over funding nor building value. It also does not have a sunset clause.
Kansas Apprentice to Educator Grant Program (A2E) - Commerce awards and administers grants to eligible Teacher Educator apprentices attending applicant schools and awarded through their employer. The use of grant funds for the payment of apprentice tuition, fees, and the cost of books and materials, up to a maximum of $2,750 per year for four years. Disbursement method: Apprenticeship Grant funds will be reimbursed two times per year. Documentation showing expenditures will be required for each distribution. Purchase orders, invoices, and/or proof of payment via canceled checks or bank statements can be submitted as proof of expended matching funds and awarded dollars.
*The Non-Profit (non K12 educator) Grant Application is here: https://kansasdepartmentofcommerce.submittable.com/submit/279197/ks-apprenticeship-act-grant-agreement-application
Application periods:
Year 2025
Funding window 1: January 1 through April 30 for 2025
Funding window 2: Sept 1 through Nov 30 for 2025
Year 2026
Funding window 1: January 1 through April 30 for 2026
Funding window 2: Sept 1 through Nov 30 for 2026
For questions please contact:
Kansas Office of Apprenticeship - apprenticeship@ks.gov
If your organization is needing to make a change/amendment to your approved grant project(s), please complete this request form.
It will be reviewed and you will be notified via email once your change/amendment is approved or denied.
If your organization is needing to make a change/amendment to your approved grant project(s), please complete this request form. It will be reviewed and you will be notified via email once your change/amendment is approved or denied.
If your organization is needing to make a change/amendment to your approved grant project(s), please complete this request form.
It will be reviewed and you will be notified via email once your change/amendment is approved or denied.
If your organization is needing to make a change/amendment to your approved HEAL grant project, please complete this request form.
It will be reviewed and you will be notified via email once your change/amendment is approved or denied.
Certified Sites Support Grant
The Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC) will provide matching dollars up to $10,000 for eligible entities to utilize towards the completion of the Certified Sites program application.
The funding is available for non-metro counties with a population less than 50,000. Applications from the following counties are not eligible: Butler, Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Reno, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, & Wyandotte.
Certified Sites Grant Timeline
January 1, 2023 – Applications Open until funding expires
Use of Funds
Eligible expenditures include the consulting services, marketing costs, and engineering expenditures related to the completion of the Certified Sites program application.
Program Requirements
The requirement period begins upon contract execution. Eligible costs will only be allowed within this timeframe. Grantees are required to submit monthly reports to KDC. Grantees much complete site certification within twelve months of award notification. If additional time is needed, a three-month extension request must be submitted through a formal, written request to KDC. Extension requests are due 30 days prior to the end of the approved period of completion, and the request must contain the following information:
- Progress achieved thus far (including obligated and expended funds).
- Timeline detailing key activities needing to be completed.
- Compelling justification as to why an extension is required, such as demonstrating a direct cause and effect between external circumstances beyond the recipients control and the inability to complete a certification prior to the end of the twelve-month period.
Changes in Scope
Recipients are prohibited from changing the scope of the funded project. Recipients shall not modify projects and/or incur costs associated with any modifications without first receiving written approval from KDC.
Match Requirement
All applicants are required to provide matching funds on a 1:1 basis.
Eligible sources for matching funds include:
- General Operating Funds.
- In-Kind donated services related to the Certified Sites Program.
- Valuation of Brownfield Program.
Disbursement Method:
Grant funds will be advanced proportional to the proof of matching funds in the following manner: The first disbursement of funds will include 50% of the organization’s grant award, after required match is documented as committed. All match commitment documentation must clearly identify the dollar amount, the source(s) of the funds, the proposed uses that comply with the requirements of this notice and be signed by the authorized official. The organization must submit sufficient records to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the agreement for the advanced award amount and the proportional match prior to the release of the second disbursement.
The second disbursement will be advanced similar to the first. After the submission of the remaining match commitment documentation, the second 50% of the allocation will be disbursed. Sufficient records are required for 100% of the total project budget, and failure to do so will result in repayment.
Funds will be disbursed within 30 days after all documents are reviewed and substantiated.
Example: An organization is allocated an award of $10,000, and the required match is $10,000. The total project budget is $20,000. Upon execution of the agreement and documentation is submitted that 50% of the match ($5,000) is committed, 50% of the award ($5,000) will be advanced to the grantee. Once the first 50% of the total project budget ($10,000) is expended and proof of cost and payment are submitted and approved, the second disbursement of $5,000 will be advanced following the submission of the remaining match commitment documentation ($5,000).
Program Manager
Corrie Ann Campbell
785-213-7312
Reports are to be submitted even if no activity has taken place during the quarter and must be submitted by the following dates: January 20 (for qtr ending December 31), April 20 (for qtr ending March 31), July 20 (for qtr ending June 30), and October 20 (for qtr ending September 30).