Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ETA 25 31
The State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula, Round 3 (SAEF3) opportunity is a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) grant program (FOA ETA 25 31; CFDA 17.285) designed to help states and territories expand Registered Apprenticeship as part of the Department's broader five-year investment plan. The funding is structured in two parts: (1) base formula funding intended to be broadly accessible to states and territories that apply, and (2) a separate, optional competitive component for jurisdictions that can move quickly on innovation and expansion efforts. The overall purpose is to support growth in apprenticeship opportunities while strengthening how apprenticeship connects with sector strategies and the wider workforce system.
A key feature of SAEF3 is that it provides base formula funding to all states and territories that submit an application and meet the program's requirements, which signals an intent to ensure nationwide participation and a consistent baseline of support. There is a specific rule for certain territories with fewer than 100 active registered apprentices, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands: they may apply only for base funding up to $75,000 and are not eligible to pursue the competitive funding portion. This detail matters because it narrows the choices for those territories while still offering an entry point for building or scaling foundational apprenticeship capacity.
In addition to the base award, SAEF3 offers an opportunity for eligible states and territories to apply separately for additional competitive funding. This competitive track is aimed at applicants that demonstrate immediate readiness to implement multiple innovative, research- and evidence-based elements that expand Registered Apprenticeship. In practice, that means ETA is looking for jurisdictions that can do more than maintain existing programs; they should be positioned to deploy proven strategies, align apprenticeship with in-demand industries, and show they can effectively manage and spend a larger amount of grant funding. The competitive emphasis also highlights priorities like innovation, sector-based approaches, and stronger alignment with the public workforce system, suggesting that proposals should connect apprenticeship expansion to broader workforce planning and employer needs.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant, with state governments listed as the eligible applicants. The expected number of awards is 66, and the award ceiling is $5,000,000. The original closing date is March 18, 2025, and the announcement was created on January 16, 2025. The FOA also encourages interested applicants to use the Grants.gov subscription feature so they receive updates and any modifications tied to this specific opportunity.
The announcement includes an important compliance note: DOL is reviewing all Funding Opportunity Announcements for consistency with two Executive Orders issued in January 2025, titled "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing" (January 20, 2025) and "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity" (January 21, 2025). Because of this review, DOL indicates it may take action on the FOA and issue additional guidance, including potentially adjusting the application close date. Applicants should pay close attention to updates and any revised instructions that result from this review.
For questions, ETA provides a dedicated email address: SAEF3FOA-ETA-25-31@dol.gov.Apply for FOA ETA 25 31
- The Employment and Training Administration in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula, Round 3 (SAEF3)" 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 2025-01-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-18. (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 $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 66 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Pathway Home 6 Apply for FOA ETA 25 29 Funding Number: FOA ETA 25 29 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Academy for Women Entrepreneurs-AWE Apply for PDS GUA FY25 02 Funding Number: PDS GUA FY25 02 Agency: U.S. Mission to Guatemala Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Additional Funding Allotments for Fiscal Year 2025 Apply for ETA WOTC TEGL 08 24 C1 Funding Number: ETA WOTC TEGL 08 24 C1 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $538,022 |
| Workforce Data Quality Initiative - WDQI Round 10 Apply for FOA ETA 25 32 Funding Number: FOA ETA 25 32 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Djibouti PDS Annual Program Statement Apply for PDS 25 01 Funding Number: PDS 25 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Djibouti Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2025 Apply for ETA TEGL 11 24 YOUTH Funding Number: ETA TEGL 11 24 YOUTH Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $168,549,346 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Consolidated Activities Program Allotments for Outlying Areas for Program Year (PY) 2025 Apply for ETA TEGL 11 24 OA Funding Number: ETA TEGL 11 24 OA Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $3,206,939 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Workforce Information Grants Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2025 Apply for ETA TEGL 11 24 WIG Funding Number: ETA TEGL 11 24 WIG Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $2,429,762 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Service (ES) Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2025 Apply for ETA TEGL 11 24 ES Funding Number: ETA TEGL 11 24 ES Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $79,957,873 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Activities Program Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2025 Apply for ETA TEGL 11 24 ADULT Funding Number: ETA TEGL 11 24 ADULT Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $163,337,664 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Dislocated Worker Program Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2025 Apply for ETA TEGL 11 24 DW Funding Number: ETA TEGL 11 24 DW Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $206,023,191 |
| Program Year 2025 Funding Allotments and Application Instructions for the WIOA Section 166 Indian and Native American Programs Grantees Apply for ETA INAP TEGL 12 24 IY Funding Number: ETA INAP TEGL 12 24 IY Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Program Year 2025 Funding Allotments and Application Instructions for the WIOA Section 166 Indian and Native American Programs Grantees Apply for ETA INAP TEGL 12 24 IA Funding Number: ETA INAP TEGL 12 24 IA Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $5,998,062 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I Program Year 2025 Funds for the National Farmworker Jobs Program Housing Apply for TEGL ETA PY25 MH Funding Number: TEGL ETA PY25 MH Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $587,084 |
| Program Year 2025 National Farmworker Jobs Program Youth Services Grants Apply for TEGL ETA PY25 MY Funding Number: TEGL ETA PY25 MY Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I Program Year 2025 Funds for the National Farmworker Jobs Program Apply for TEGL ETA PY25 AC Funding Number: TEGL ETA PY25 AC Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $7,031,866 |
| 2025 American Center Vientiane Small Grants Program Laos Apply for OFOP0002028 Funding Number: OFOP0002028 Agency: U.S. Mission to Laos Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Work Opportunity Tax Credit Remaining Funding Allotments for Fiscal Year 2025 Apply for ETA WOTC TEGL 08 24 C2 Funding Number: ETA WOTC TEGL 08 24 C2 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $1,173,636 |
| Work Opportunity Tax Credit Backlog Funding Allotments for Fiscal Year 2025 Apply for ETA WOTC TEGL 08 24 C2 BACKLOG Funding Number: ETA WOTC TEGL 08 24 C2 BACKLOG Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Funding Allotments and Operating Guidance for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEA) Grants Apply for ETA RESEA UIPL 12 25 Funding Number: ETA RESEA UIPL 12 25 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $73,713,119 |
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