2025 Kansas Office of Apprenticeship Grant Program

The Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking grant* applications from eligible Joint Apprenticeship Training Councils (including Labor Unions), state educational institutions (as defined by K.S.A 76-711), businesses, non-profits or workforce boards for projects that will attract and retain employees and build the state workforce through registered apprenticeship.  Applications should clearly demonstrate the linkage between the project, industry demand, apprentice training, and apprentice recruitment. 

*This grant opportunity is contingent on funding provided in the State of Kansas approved budget.

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. This year, changes to the program criteria emphasize strategic growth and scalability, but also integration with small/medium and rural companies. To be eligible for funding, apprenticeship programs must present a proposal that demonstrates how the requested funds will increase the number of new apprentices by at least 10% year over year and engage small businesses (with fewer than 10 employees) in the state.

This is the 3rd grant opportunity utilizing this state funding and is designed specifically to support established Registered Apprenticeship programs and is not intended for the creation of entirely new apprenticeship entities. Funds may be used for a variety of operational and expansion needs, such as hiring business support specialists, marketing efforts, purchasing training equipment, and other services that enable programs to broaden their reach and impact. Given that Registered Apprenticeship programs in Kansas currently do not receive regular state funding and have remained self-sufficient, this grant provides critical access to capital to expedite program growth and long-term sustainability.

Eligible Entities: 

• State of Kansas Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAPIDS number that starts with KS)
• Must have been established for at least 1 year (established in 2024 or earlier) 
• Must be in good standing with the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship
• Must have an established Kansas address and in good standing with the Kansas Department of Revenue
• Must provide a plan to engage rural and small businesses (under 10 employees) 
• Must be able to provide a 1:1 match for the funding

 An organization may submit one application. The total program budget is up to $450,000. The maximum award is up to $150,000. Applicants are required to provide a 1:1 match for every grant dollar requested. Matching dollars can include FTE costs. KDC reserves the right to award all or parts of the request based on funding limitations. 

Registered Apprenticeship Project Grants Timeline

August 25, 2025 – Application Open

Sept 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM CDT – Application submissions due 

October 1, 2025 – Earliest Notice of Award 

Projects must be completed by Sept 30, 2026

Use of Funds

Grant funds may be used for project needs related to technical instruction for the registered apprenticeship, OJT needs not including apprentice wages, staffing and/or FTE to implement and manage programs, marketing and outreach and other allowable activities as stated in the project proposal.

 Examples include but not limited to:

• Related technical instruction tuition costs, course costs, books costs, and anything else related to technical training. This training would need to be transcribed within the Registered Apprenticeship program to qualify. 
• Marketing and outreach materials including paid media, social media, web media, printed material and more
• Contract with external apprenticeship subject matter experts o align internal systems including reporting systems, curriculum alignment, RAPIDS reporting, assessments and other reporting. 
• Contract with higher education and/or external stakeholders to create crosswalks of existing curriculum in order to build pathways to a career, college degree, and/or certification.
• Administrative costs are permitted as part of this grant.
• Other project concepts will be considered on a case by case basis. 

Disbursement Method: Reimbursement

Apprenticeship Grant funds will be reimbursed on a monthly basis. Documentation showing expenditures may be reequired for each distribution.  Purchase orders, invoices, and/or proof of payment via canceled checks or bank statements may be submitted as proof of expended matching funds and awarded dollars. Quarterly Narrative and Fiscal reports will be required by all awardees.

Training will be required for all awardees after the announcement. Additional information on previous awards and cost reimbursement basis can be found here: https://ksapprenticeship.org/resource-page/kansas-office-of-apprenticeship-state-grants/