Rural Apprenticeship Innovation for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Grant

The Rural Apprenticeship Innovation for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Grant is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce in collaboration with the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship. This initiative is strategically designed to address the high-wage, high-demand workforce needs across the state by expanding the reach and capabilities of Registered Apprenticeship programs in rural Kansas counties with populations under 50,000 residents. By fostering skill development and talent retention in these rural areas, the program aims to enhance long-term economic resilience and community prosperity. The core objective of the RAISE Grant is to provide direct operational and financial support to both new and existing Registered Apprenticeship programs. Funding is intended to serve as seed capital for initiatives that aim to expand program offerings, improve infrastructure, and broaden access to training and services. This includes support for critical components such as technical instruction, equipment purchases, marketing and outreach, staffing, and administrative infrastructure required to sustain and grow apprenticeship programming. Eligible uses of funds span a broad range of activities central to the development of Registered Apprenticeships. These include but are not limited to: tuition and course-related costs for technical instruction; the development of marketing and outreach campaigns, both online and offline; procurement of printed or digital promotional materials; and contracting with external subject matter experts to ensure compliance with national apprenticeship reporting standards such as RAPIDS. Additionally, partnerships with higher education institutions or industry stakeholders to align curriculum and credential pathways are supported. The application window for the RAISE Grant opens on March 16, 2026, and closes on April 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Applicants should prepare proposals that clearly articulate how funds will be utilized to build, expand, or enhance Registered Apprenticeship programs in eligible rural areas. Awards are expected to be announced by May 15, 2026. The period of performance for each awarded project will be twelve months, allowing awardees to implement strategic enhancements within a defined operational timeframe. While this is not a recurring grant, proposals will be evaluated on their potential to create long-term impacts, sustainability, and regional workforce alignment. Applications should be submitted through the official Kansas Department of Commerce process, and applicants are encouraged to thoroughly describe anticipated outcomes and how they plan to maintain initiatives beyond the grant period. For questions or technical assistance, applicants may contact the program via the designated email address, [email protected]. All submissions must adhere to the deadline and demonstrate alignment with the goals of supporting Registered Apprenticeship expansion in rural Kansas communities.