The Stanislaus County Bioeconomy Workforce Development Fund supports projects that advance access to good jobs and bioeconomy career readiness in underserved communities.
Donor Name: BEAM Circular
State: California
County: Stanislaus County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/30/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
This funding will accelerate the adoption of industry-relevant exposure programming across the county, support inclusive access to opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), and strengthen local worker readiness for good jobs in bio-based manufacturing.
Funding Information
A total of up to $800,000 is available for this grant program. Applicants may apply for a minimum of $5,000 and up to $100,000 per project proposal.
Uses of Fund
Funds may be used to advance projects and capacity in the following areas:
- K–12 STEM and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs
- Support bioeconomy-relevant STEM and CTE curricula and programs that provide students with hands-on experiences in biotechnology, biomanufacturing, chemistry, engineering (especially chemical, biological, and mechanical), innovation related to sustainability, and/or exploration of new uses for food and agricultural byproducts and waste materials. Applicants are encouraged to explore deployment of programs such as BioTechBuilder and the Bioscience Core Skills Institute microcredentials, which introduce practical applications in bioindustrial manufacturing.
- High School to College Pathways
- Establish pathways from high school to community colleges and four-year universities for students pursuing bioeconomy-related degrees. Activities may include summer science camps, internships, dual enrollment, workshops, facility tours, and mentorship opportunities. Programs may integrate technical and soft skills, project-based learning, and industry-recognized certifications to strengthen the regional talent pipeline.
- Fast-Track and Stackable Credential Training Programs
- Develop flexible, accelerated programs that provide entry-level skills for bioindustry jobs while creating pathways to advanced roles in bioindustry and advanced manufacturing. These programs should target:
- Individuals without formal degrees
- Workers transitioning from legacy industries (e.g., agriculture and food processing)
- Displaced workers or those reentering the workforce
- Develop flexible, accelerated programs that provide entry-level skills for bioindustry jobs while creating pathways to advanced roles in bioindustry and advanced manufacturing. These programs should target:
- Work-Based Learning, Apprenticeships, and On-the-Job Training
- Integrate work-based learning into academic and training programs through opportunities such as undergraduate research, job shadowing, project-based learning, internships, apprenticeships, and externships. These experiences should:
- Offer participants paid, hands-on exposure to industry
- Accelerate time to industry-readiness
- Develop technical expertise through real-world projects
- Integrate work-based learning into academic and training programs through opportunities such as undergraduate research, job shadowing, project-based learning, internships, apprenticeships, and externships. These experiences should:
- Professional Development for Educators
- Support professional development that equips educators with current knowledge of bioeconomy and industrial biomanufacturing industry practices, relevant technologies, and innovative pedagogical strategies relevant to advancing bioeconomy workforce readiness. This may include externships or internships for educators with industry or research partners to gain hands-on experience and understand employer perspectives, as well as certifications or other training required for educators to develop or deliver CTE programs and industry-aligned curricula.
Eligibility Criteria
Projects must be deployed in Stanislaus County. Educational institutions, local governmental entities and school districts, and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.
For more information, visit BEAM Circular.
