DOL Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant: eligibility, deadline, and how to apply (2026)
Key Facts
- Agency
- Department of Labor (DOL)
- Award Range
- $500,000 - $8,000,000
- Deadline
- August 2026 (Annual Cycle)
- CFDA Number
- 17.285
The DOL Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant is a federal funding opportunity administered by Department of Labor (DOL). This guide covers everything you need to know to determine whether you qualify and how to submit a competitive application before the August 2026 (Annual Cycle) deadline.
Use our free Grant Finder to discover additional programs you may be eligible for based on your organization type and location.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the DOL Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
State and local workforce development boards, educational institutions, nonprofits, labor organizations, and industry associations. Projects must expand registered apprenticeship programs in high-demand industries.
Eligibility requirements can change between funding cycles. Always verify the current criteria on the official Grants.gov listing before beginning your application.
If you are not sure whether your organization qualifies, review our guide on best small business grants for alternative programs that may be a better fit.
How to apply: step by step
- Register on SAM.gov. Every federal grant applicant needs an active SAM (System for Award Management) registration. Allow 2-4 weeks for new registrations to process. Existing registrations must be renewed annually.
- Get a UEI number. Your Unique Entity Identifier is assigned through SAM.gov and replaces the old DUNS number. You will need this on every federal application.
- Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Download the full NOFO from Grants.gov. Pay close attention to review criteria, budget limits, and required attachments.
- Prepare your application package. Most federal grants require a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capacity statement, and supporting documents. Follow the page limits and formatting rules exactly.
- Submit through Grants.gov. Create a workspace, upload all required forms and attachments, and submit before the August 2026 (Annual Cycle) deadline. The system timestamps your submission, and late applications are automatically rejected.
- Confirm receipt. You will receive a tracking number and confirmation email. Check back in 1-2 business days to verify your application passed the Grants.gov validation checks.
For detailed guidance on writing a winning narrative, see our grant writing tips article.
Grant details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Grant Name | DOL Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant |
| Funding Agency | Department of Labor (DOL) |
| CFDA Number | 17.285 |
| Award Minimum | $500,000 |
| Award Maximum | $8,000,000 |
| Deadline | August 2026 (Annual Cycle) |
| Category | Workforce |
| Matching Required | No matching funds required, but leveraged resources are scored favorably |
| Application Link | Apply on Grants.gov |
Federal grant budgets and priorities shift each fiscal year. The amounts listed above reflect the most recent funding cycle. For the latest figures, check the official program page.
If you are exploring business financing beyond grants, the team at CeoCult covers loans, lines of credit, and alternative funding for founders.
What Applicants Should Know
The Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) grant program represents one of the Department of Labor's largest investments in registered apprenticeship expansion, with over $100 million awarded in recent funding rounds. Unlike traditional apprenticeship programs focused on construction and building trades, ABA specifically targets non-traditional sectors including information technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and clean energy. The goal is to bring the earn-and-learn apprenticeship model to industries that have historically relied on classroom-only training or four-year degrees.
Eligible applicants include state and local workforce development boards, industry associations, labor-management organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofit intermediary organizations. Intermediaries that can coordinate apprenticeship programs across multiple employers are particularly competitive because they demonstrate scalability. Awards typically range from $500,000 to $8 million depending on the scope and geographic reach of the proposal.
A strong emphasis on serving underserved populations runs through the scoring criteria. Reviewers look for concrete plans to recruit and retain women, people of color, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and justice-involved individuals in apprenticeship programs. Applications that include committed employer partners with signed letters of support and specific hiring targets score significantly higher than those with vague industry engagement. While formal matching funds are not always required, a 1:1 employer match in wages, training costs, or supervision time is often expected and scored favorably. Common pitfalls include proposing programs that are not registered (or do not have a clear path to registration) with the state or federal Office of Apprenticeship, failing to demonstrate employer demand for the proposed occupation, and lacking a sustainability plan for continuing apprenticeships after the grant period ends.
We track new federal funding weekly. Get alerts when new Workforce grants open.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the DOL Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant?
State and local workforce development boards, educational institutions, nonprofits, labor organizations, and industry associations. Projects must expand registered apprenticeship programs in high-demand industries.. Requirements can change between cycles, so always verify on the official Grants.gov listing before applying.
What is the deadline for DOL Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant?
The current deadline is August 2026 (Annual Cycle). Many federal grants operate on annual or rolling cycles. If this deadline has passed, check Grants.gov for the next funding opportunity.
Does DOL Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant require matching funds?
No matching funds required, but leveraged resources are scored favorably. Matching requirements can vary by fiscal year and applicant type, so confirm with the funding agency before committing resources.