Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ETA 21 04
The YouthBuild grant opportunity (FOA ETA 21-04) is a discretionary funding program from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) that makes about $89 million available under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The core purpose is to fund organizations that can run YouthBuild programs for at-risk young people ages 16 to 24, combining education, job training, and supportive employment services with hands-on community service projects. Awards are made through a competitive grant process, with an expected 75 grants funded and a maximum award size (award ceiling) of $1,500,000 per grant.
At the center of YouthBuild is a structured "earn and learn" approach that blends classroom-based academic progress with project-based occupational training. The academic side is designed for participants who are often behind in basic skills and need a pathway to complete a high school diploma or earn a state high school equivalency credential. The goal is not only to help participants catch up academically, but also to connect that education to real career outcomes so that training and schooling reinforce each other instead of feeling like separate tracks.
On the workforce side, YouthBuild emphasizes pre-apprenticeship and career preparation. Programs are expected to provide occupational skills training and employment services that help participants move into apprenticeships, further education, or other career pathways. While construction training has traditionally been the signature element of YouthBuild, this FOA highlights an expansion option called "Construction Plus," which is a priority in the competition. Construction Plus allows applicants to include training for additional in-demand industries beyond construction, reflecting the idea that local labor market needs vary and that participants may benefit from multiple industry pathways.
A distinctive feature of YouthBuild is the requirement that participants perform meaningful work and service that benefits their communities. In the traditional construction-focused model, participants learn construction skills by building or substantially renovating housing. This community benefit component is explicitly tied to increasing affordable housing, such as homes for sale or rent to low-income families or transitional housing for homeless individuals or families. In other words, the program aims to deliver two outcomes at once: better employment prospects for young people and tangible improvements in local communities through visible, service-oriented projects.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed under CFDA number 17.274 and falls within the Employment, Labor, and Training activity category (also referencing Opportunity Zone Benefits). The funding instrument is a grant. The announcement was created on December 11, 2020, and the application deadline noted is February 2, 2021 (with submissions required by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Eligibility is labeled broadly as "Others" with further clarification referenced in the full announcement's eligibility section, meaning applicants need to consult the FOA text to confirm whether their organization type and proposed model meet the program requirements.Apply for FOA ETA 21 04
- The Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration in the employment, labor and training, opportunity zone benefits sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "YouthBuild" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.274.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 11, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 02, 2021 The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is February 2, 2021. Applications must be received no later than 40000 p.m. Eastern Time.. (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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 75 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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YouthBuild Grant (FOA ETA 21-04) FAQs
What is the YouthBuild grant opportunity (FOA ETA 21-04)?
The YouthBuild grant opportunity (FOA ETA 21-04) is a discretionary funding program from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA). It makes approximately $89 million available under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to fund organizations that operate YouthBuild programs for at-risk young people.
Who is the funding agency for this opportunity?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), specifically the Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
What is the core purpose of YouthBuild funding?
The core purpose is to support organizations that can deliver YouthBuild programs for at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 by combining education, job training, supportive employment services, and hands-on community service projects.
Who does YouthBuild serve (participant age range)?
YouthBuild is designed for at-risk young people ages 16 to 24.
How much funding is available under this FOA?
The FOA indicates that about $89 million is available.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The FOA states an expectation of approximately 75 grants funded.
What is the maximum award amount per grant (award ceiling)?
The maximum award size (award ceiling) is $1,500,000 per grant.
Is this a competitive grant or a formula grant?
Awards are made through a competitive grant process.
What kind of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What does YouthBuild mean by an "earn and learn" approach?
YouthBuild centers on a structured "earn and learn" model that blends classroom-based academic progress with project-based occupational training, linking education directly to workforce outcomes so the two tracks reinforce each other.
What education outcomes does YouthBuild support?
The academic component is designed for participants who may be behind in basic skills and need a pathway to complete a high school diploma or earn a state high school equivalency credential.
What workforce and career components are emphasized?
YouthBuild emphasizes pre-apprenticeship and career preparation. Programs are expected to provide occupational skills training and employment services that help participants move into apprenticeships, further education, or other career pathways.
Is construction training required or emphasized?
Construction training has traditionally been the signature element of YouthBuild. The FOA also highlights an expansion option called "Construction Plus" that allows training in additional in-demand industries beyond construction.
What is "Construction Plus" and why does it matter?
"Construction Plus" is an expansion option that lets applicants include training for additional in-demand industries beyond construction. The FOA notes that Construction Plus is a priority in the competition, reflecting that local labor market needs vary and participants may benefit from multiple industry pathways.
What is the community service requirement in YouthBuild?
A distinctive YouthBuild feature is that participants must perform meaningful work and service that benefits their communities. In the traditional model, participants learn construction skills by building or substantially renovating housing as part of their training and service.
How is affordable housing connected to YouthBuild projects?
The FOA ties the community benefit component to increasing affordable housing, such as homes for sale or rent to low-income families or transitional housing for homeless individuals or families.
What are the intended outcomes of the YouthBuild model?
The program is designed to produce two outcomes at once: improved employment prospects for young people and tangible improvements in local communities through visible, service-oriented projects (including affordable housing activities in the traditional model).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 17.274.
What activity category is this funding associated with?
It falls within the Employment, Labor, and Training activity category (and also references Opportunity Zone Benefits).
When was the opportunity announcement created?
The announcement was created on December 11, 2020.
What was the application deadline and time zone?
The application deadline noted is February 2, 2021, with submissions required by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is labeled broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement's eligibility section. Applicants need to consult the FOA text to confirm whether their organization type and proposed model meet program requirements.
Where can applicants find the exact eligibility requirements?
The summary information indicates that the detailed eligibility rules are provided in the full FOA (ETA 21-04), specifically in the eligibility section of the announcement.
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Apply for FOA ETA 21 04
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FOA ETA 21 04) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Workforce Pathways for Youth grant program Apply for FOA ETA 21 01 Funding Number: FOA ETA 21 01 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training, Opportunity Zone Benefits Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Pathway Home 2 Apply for FOA ETA 21 02 Funding Number: FOA ETA 21 02 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training, Opportunity Zone Benefits Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
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