The Workforce Education Grants are designed to support and align secondary school CTE systems with South Dakota’s postsecondary education programs and workforce needs, developing the state’s talent pipeline for workforce development and economic growth.
Donor Name: South Dakota Department of Education
State: South Dakota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/27/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Workforce Education Grants provide Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in South Dakota the opportunity to make transformative change in career and technical education programs. High quality CTE programs give students the knowledge, skills and experiences to be well prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce. Partnerships among secondary education, postsecondary education, and business & industry lay the foundation for modern CTE programs. These grants will efficiently increase the number of students with access to high quality career and technical education programs in the state.
Priority will be given to projects which demonstrate one or more of the following characteristics and meet the requirements for LEAs outlined in SD Administrative Rule 24:10:47:
- An innovative project demonstrating alignment to postsecondary education and South Dakota workforce needs and including work-based learning, dual or concurrent credit courses and any applicable CTSO;
- A project demonstrating partnerships with postsecondary education and business or industry;
- A project evaluating local career and technical education systems for the purposes of redesigning approved secondary CTE programs;
- A project which includes collaboration between multiple secondary schools;
- A project including industry-grade practices, equipment, and student certifications;
- A project integrating academic content, work-readiness skills, and entrepreneurship education;
Funding Information
Grants will be awarded so that they may begin in June 2026. Up to $1,125,000 may be available. The maximum individual grant award amount will be $225,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants are Local Education Agencies (LEAs) with projects designed to serve middle and high school students. The LEAs who are awarded grants will serve as fiscal agents through the completion of their projects. All applications must demonstrate commitment by all grant partners to the grant project and its sustainability following the conclusion of the grant.
For more information, visit South Dakota Department of Education.
