AFT Career Pathways Partnership Grants
Program Terms & Guidelines 

1. Overview

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is launching the Career Pathways Partnership Grants to help affiliates build and strengthen local career pathways work. Grants are designed to help affiliates kickstart or expand partnerships with school districts, employers, higher education institutions, and community organizations — for example, launching a work-based learning initiative, creating a middle school career-exposure program, or purchasing equipment for a classroom robotics or CTE club.

This competition is announced in conjunction with A New Compact for America’s Youth, AFT’s national forum on career pathways held September 10, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

2. Award Amounts

• Maximum award: $15,000 per applicant
• Most awards are expected to fall in the $10,000–$15,000 range
• AFT anticipates funding 10 to 15 applications total, with up to $150,000 being awarded in all

3. Eligibility

Open to AFT affiliates. This cycle prioritizes projects serving:

• K-12 students and educators, and/or
• Higher education students and faculty (including community and technical colleges)

Affiliates may apply individually or jointly with a partner affiliate. Applicants are required to identify at least one external partner (district, employer, higher-ed institution, or community organization).

4. Eligible Uses of Funds

Grants may support, for example:

• Launching or expanding a work-based learning program (internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing)
• Middle school or high school career-exposure activities and events
• Equipment or materials for CTE programming (e.g., robotics club equipment, tools, kits)
• Partnership-building activities with districts, employers, higher ed, or community organizations
• Staff time, stipends, or travel directly tied to the proposed project

Funds may not be used for: general operating expenses unrelated to the project, political or legislative activity, food/entertainment costs not tied to a specific project activity, or costs incurred before the grant period begins.

5. Key Dates

**A relatively long grant period is provided to allow for one full school year (2027-2028) of implementation if that is proposed. We anticipate that many projects will not be need the full grant period. 

6. How to Apply

Complete the Career Pathways Partnership Grant Application and submit it, along with any supporting materials, by the deadline above. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis but will only be reviewed after the November 13 deadline. 

7. Review Criteria

Applications will be reviewed and scored on:

• Clarity of project goals and connection to career pathways
• Connection to AFT members’ work
• Strength and feasibility of the district/employer/community partnership
• Reasonableness and clarity of the proposed budget
• Number of students/members expected to benefit
• Plan for sustaining the work beyond the grant period

8. Reporting Requirements

Grantees will be required to submit a brief midyear check-in and a final report summarizing activities, participation numbers, outcomes, and how funds were used. AFT will request photos, testimonials, or other materials for communications purposes.

9. Questions

Direct questions about eligibility, allowable uses, or the application process to Beth Antunez, bantunez@aft.org.

Click here to apply.