Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA WB 26 01
The FY26 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Womens Bureau, intended to expand and strengthen the participation and retention of women in apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations. Backed by the WANTO Act of 1992 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, the program makes about $10,000,000 available nationwide (including U.S. territories) to help employers and labor unions improve access for women to careers in fields where women have historically been underrepresented, including areas like advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, information technology, mining, and shipbuilding and the defense industrial base.
The core purpose of the funding is to provide technical assistance to employers and labor unions in ways that lead to real increases in womens entry into and success within apprenticeship and other nontraditional training and employment pipelines. The grant emphasizes three main strategies. First, it supports the development, expansion, or enhancement of pre-apprenticeship programs that connect directly to Registered Apprenticeships, as well as other nontraditional skills training programs designed to prepare women for careers in these occupations. Second, it funds ongoing orientations and practical resources for employers, unions, and workers aimed at creating a workplace and training environment where women can succeed, which can include guidance on culture, policies, practices, and day-to-day jobsite realities. Third, it supports retention-focused efforts such as creating peer support groups, facilitating networks, and providing supportive services for women in these occupations, recognizing that recruitment alone is not enough if women face barriers that push them out after entry.
Eligibility is limited in an important way: only community-based organizations (CBOs), as defined in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Section III.G, can apply. A consortium of CBOs is also allowed to apply as a single applicant, but the consortium must include an agreement that clearly identifies which organization will serve as the grant administrator. The opportunity lists eligible applicant types as nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education), as well as certain "other" entities, but the CBO requirement is the key threshold condition that applicants must meet. Faith-based organizations are explicitly encouraged to apply if they meet the eligibility requirements, and DOL notes it will not discriminate for or against an organization based on religious character or affiliation in selecting or administering awards, consistent with federal grantmaking rules.
In terms of scale and competition, the Womens Bureau expects to make around 28 awards, with an award ceiling of $750,000 per grant. The opportunity is cataloged under Assistance Listing (CFDA) number 17.701, and the application deadline is July 6, 2026. Overall, the program is designed for CBOs that can act as strong intermediaries between women seeking these careers and the employers and unions that control access to apprenticeship and job pathways, with a clear focus on practical technical assistance that improves preparation, workplace readiness, and long-term retention in nontraditional fields.Apply for FOA WB 26 01
- The Womens Bureau in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY26 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.701.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-06. (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 $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 28 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others.
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FY26 WANTO Technical Assistance Grant Program - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the FY26 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program?
The FY26 WANTO Technical Assistance Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Womens Bureau. It is intended to expand and strengthen the participation and retention of women in apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations by funding technical assistance that improves womens entry into and success within apprenticeship and other nontraditional training and employment pipelines.
2) What is the main goal of this grant?
The core goal is to provide technical assistance to employers and labor unions in ways that lead to real increases in womens participation and retention in Registered Apprenticeships and other nontraditional training and employment pathways, especially in occupations where women have historically been underrepresented.
3) Who is the federal agency offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Womens Bureau.
4) How much funding is available under this program?
About $10,000,000 is available nationwide, including U.S. territories.
5) How many awards does DOL expect to make?
The Womens Bureau expects to make around 28 awards.
6) What is the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling is $750,000 per grant.
7) What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is July 6, 2026.
8) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The program is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) number 17.701.
9) Where can funded activities take place?
Funding is available nationwide, including U.S. territories.
10) What types of occupations or industries does the program focus on?
The program focuses on apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations where women have historically been underrepresented. Examples mentioned include advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, information technology, mining, and shipbuilding and the defense industrial base.
11) Who is eligible to apply?
Only community-based organizations (CBOs), as defined in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Section III.G, are eligible to apply. This CBO requirement is the key threshold eligibility condition.
12) Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes, the opportunity lists eligible applicant types as nonprofit organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education). However, the applicant must meet the CBO requirement described in the FOA.
13) Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
No. The eligible nonprofit categories are described as being other than institutions of higher education, and the overarching eligibility requirement is that applicants must be community-based organizations (CBOs) as defined in the FOA.
14) Can a group of organizations apply together?
Yes. A consortium of CBOs may apply as a single applicant, but the consortium must include an agreement that clearly identifies which organization will serve as the grant administrator.
15) Are faith-based organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. Faith-based organizations are explicitly encouraged to apply if they meet the eligibility requirements, including the CBO requirement.
16) Will an organization be favored or disfavored because it is faith-based?
DOL states it will not discriminate for or against an organization based on religious character or affiliation in selecting or administering awards, consistent with federal grantmaking rules.
17) What does the program mean by providing "technical assistance"?
Based on the program description, technical assistance refers to practical support provided to employers and labor unions to improve womens access, preparation, workplace and training conditions, and long-term retention in apprenticeship and other nontraditional pathways. The emphasis is on hands-on, real-world improvements that lead to increased entry and success for women.
18) What are the main strategies or activity areas funded by this grant?
The grant emphasizes three main strategies: (1) developing, expanding, or enhancing pre-apprenticeship programs that connect directly to Registered Apprenticeships, as well as other nontraditional skills training programs; (2) delivering ongoing orientations and practical resources for employers, unions, and workers to create environments where women can succeed, including guidance on culture, policies, and practices; and (3) implementing retention-focused efforts such as peer support groups, networks, and supportive services for women in these occupations.
19) Does the program support pre-apprenticeship efforts?
Yes. One core strategy is the development, expansion, or enhancement of pre-apprenticeship programs that connect directly to Registered Apprenticeships.
20) Does the program only fund Registered Apprenticeship connections?
No. While it supports pre-apprenticeship programs that connect directly to Registered Apprenticeships, it also supports other nontraditional skills training programs designed to prepare women for careers in these occupations.
21) What kinds of employer and union supports are encouraged?
The grant supports ongoing orientations and practical resources for employers, unions, and workers aimed at creating workplace and training environments where women can succeed. Examples mentioned include guidance related to culture, policies, practices, and day-to-day jobsite realities.
22) How does the program address retention, not just recruitment?
The program explicitly recognizes that recruitment alone is not enough. It supports retention-focused efforts such as creating peer support groups, facilitating networks, and providing supportive services for women in these occupations to help reduce barriers that might push women out after entry.
23) Who are the primary partners or audiences for the funded technical assistance?
The technical assistance is aimed at employers and labor unions, with the broader intent of improving access and outcomes for women seeking careers in apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations.
24) What role are CBOs expected to play in this program?
The program is designed for CBOs that can act as strong intermediaries between women seeking careers in these fields and the employers and unions that control access to apprenticeship and job pathways. The focus is on practical technical assistance that improves preparation, workplace readiness, and long-term retention.
25) What legal authorities back this grant program?
The program is backed by the WANTO Act of 1992 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.
26) Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The WANTO Technical Assistance Grant Program is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.
27) Is the CBO requirement optional if an applicant is otherwise an eligible nonprofit type?
No. The description states that only community-based organizations (CBOs), as defined in the FOA Section III.G, can apply, and that the CBO requirement is the key threshold condition that applicants must meet.
28) If applying as a consortium, what must be included in the application setup?
The consortium must include an agreement that clearly identifies which organization will serve as the grant administrator.
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