YouthBuild 2025 | FOA ETA 26 38

Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ETA 26 38

YouthBuild 2025 is a competitive federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), designed to help organizations serve "opportunity youth" by connecting them to education, career pathways, and employment. Through this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA ETA 26 38), DOL plans to fund programs that combine pre-apprenticeship occupational skills training with education and structured job placement services, with the goal of preparing young people for quality jobs across multiple industry sectors. A defining feature of YouthBuild is that it is not just job training in a classroom; it is built around practical, work-based learning that helps participants gain real experience while moving toward long-term employment.

A core requirement of YouthBuild programming is construction training paired with hands-on experience building or rehabilitating affordable housing in the participants' communities. In other words, YouthBuild projects must include a construction component that is directly tied to community benefit through affordable housing work. At the same time, programs may also offer a "Construction Plus" option, which allows grantees to add vocational training in other high-demand industries beyond construction. This structure is meant to broaden employment outcomes so participants can enter a range of career tracks depending on local labor market needs and participant interests.

YouthBuild 2025 also emphasizes wrap-around supportive services, recognizing that barriers like transportation gaps, childcare needs, or unstable housing can prevent young people from completing training or sustaining employment. Grant-funded programs are expected to provide supports such as assistance with transportation, childcare, and housing so participants can stay engaged and successfully transition into work or further training. This combination of skills development, education, work experience, and supportive services is central to how YouthBuild is intended to improve job readiness and placement outcomes.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of public and nonprofit entities, as well as Tribal governments and Tribal organizations. Eligible applicants listed for this FOA include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education). The FOA also notes that faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply on the same basis as other applicants, and DOL states it will not discriminate in selection or grant administration based on an organization's religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, and it will not treat a religious organization differently than a similarly situated secular organization for conduct that would not otherwise be disqualifying.

From a funding standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program under CFDA 17.274 (Employment, Labor and Training). The award ceiling is up to $2,000,000 per grant, and DOL anticipates making about 57 awards. The opportunity was created on 2025-12-23, and the original application closing date is 2026-03-02. Because this is a competitive process, applicants should expect that proposals will be evaluated against criteria in the full FOA, including details on eligibility, required program elements, and other expectations outlined in Section II.A and elsewhere in the announcement.

For applicants who want updates or clarifications, DOL encourages using the Grants.gov subscription feature to receive future notices tied to this specific FOA. Questions about the announcement can be directed by email to YBFOA-ETA-26-38@dol.gov.

• The Employment and Training Administration in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "YouthBuild 2025" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.274.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-12-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-02. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 57 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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, Others.

Apply for FOA ETA 26 38

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