ForecastedState of CaliforniaAgency ID 164637

High Road to Construction Careers 2026

Workforce Development Board · State of California

At a glance

High Road to Construction Careers 2026 is a forecasted California state grant opportunity from the Workforce Development Board (State of California). The agency has forecast this opportunity but has not yet set an application deadline. Total estimated funding is $19M across about 13 awards. Applicant types listed as eligible include business, nonprofit and public agency. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing is not required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Opened: —
Est. close date: Not listed
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: $19,000,000
Implied average award: $1,461,538 calculated
Expected awards: 13
Matching funds: Not required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: State — Senate Bill (SB) 150
Matching funds: Not Required
Funding method: Reimbursement(s) — In Round Two, approximately $19 million will be awarded to regions with demonstrated hiring demand through a competitive application process. The CWDB will issue a separate solicitation for Round Two in the 2026-27 State Fiscal Year.
Estimated number of awards: Exactly 13
Estimated award amounts: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: 24 Months
Expected award announcement: March 2027
Letter of intent: Not required
Geography: Statewide
Expected open date: Fall 2026
How to submit: Online: https://caetp.my.site.com/calegrants/s/
Latest change note: Round Two funding is available to existing HRCC regions only.

Implied average = estimated total funding ÷ expected number of awards, calculated by GrantsJunction. Actual awards vary.

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Business
Nonprofit
Public Agency

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

Round Two funding is available to existing HRCC regions only.

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

Purpose

The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is offering $19 million in grants for the High Road to Construction Careers 2026 (HRCC 2026) Grant Program. This second round of funding is a competitive opportunity during the 2026-27 state fiscal year. It will award the remaining HRCC 2026 funds to support HRCC program goals and regional labor market needs.

Description

Funding for the HRCC 2026 program is being awarded in two rounds. All current HRCC grantees are eligible to apply. In Round Two, approximately $19 million will be awarded to regions with demonstrated hiring demand through a competitive application process. The CWDB will release a closed, competitive funding opportunity during the 2026-27 State Fiscal Year, through which the remaining HRCC 2026 funds will be awarded to further support HRCC program goals and align investments with regional labor market demand. Additionally, past grantee performance, including compliance with and timeliness of required participant data collection and reporting under previous HRCC grants, will be considered. Additional information about eligibility, funding amounts, application requirements, and evaluation criteria will be released in the Round Two solicitation. Details outlined in the RFA regarding the Round Two solicitation are subject to change. HRCC 2026 grant program’s objectives are to: Meet demand: Train workers to meet the hiring needs of public infrastructure and construction projects. Promote access: Support entry into joint-apprenticeship programs for individuals who have traditionally faced barriers to employment in the construction trades, including women, veterans, and justice-involved individuals. Boost the economy: Increase employment, boost incomes, and drive economic activity in communities that need it most.

Program page on the agency site ↗

How to apply

0 of 8 done · progress saved in this browser

Read the program guidelinesThe agency's solicitation or guidelines set eligibility details, scoring criteria and required documents. Open ↗
Confirm eligibility and fitCheck your organization type and location (see Geography above).
Watch for the openingExpected to open: Fall 2026. Save this grant to track changes.
Request letters of support and partner commitmentsPartners need time to write and sign letters; ask early.
Finish a full draft of the application and budgetFollow the guidelines' format exactly; state programs often require specific forms and attachments.
Ask the program contact any questions earlySolicitations · Solicitations@cwdb.ca.gov Open ↗
Internal review and sign-offLeave time for leadership or board approval and a final proofread.
Submit before the deadlineSubmit a few days early and keep your submission confirmation.

Program contact (as published)

Solicitations
Solicitations@cwdb.ca.gov
1-916-657-1440

Quick answers

Is “High Road to Construction Careers 2026” open for applications yet?

Not yet. It is a forecast — an agency's advance notice of an expected opportunity. Forecast details and dates can change.

Who is eligible to apply for “High Road to Construction Careers 2026”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Business, Nonprofit and Public Agency. It adds: “Round Two funding is available to existing HRCC regions only.” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “High Road to Construction Careers 2026”?

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $19,000,000 and the agency expects to make about 13 awards.

How do I apply for “High Road to Construction Careers 2026”?

Applications go directly to Workforce Development Board, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: online at https://caetp.my.site.com/calegrants/s/. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

Other open California state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.

OpenState of California