Career Academy Incentive Fund
Eligibility
Iowa public school districts developing career academy programs aligned to high-demand industry sectors. Applications must show employer partnerships and career pathway development plans.
Program Goals
Iowa's Career Academy Incentive Fund helps high schools build career academies that connect students to in-demand industries through integrated CTE pathways. The fund supports program development, equipment, and teacher training for new career academies.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
Apply through the Iowa DE grants portal by November 13, 2026. Submit a career academy development plan with employer partnership evidence.
Cycle Notes
Annual competitive cycle. 2026 deadline November 13. Monitor educateiowa.gov for next cycle.
Grant Award Amount
Share of a $5M annual pool. Individual district awards depend on program scope and competition.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- Coding for Good Kit — an all-in-one coding, robotics, and AI literacy toolkit using micro:bit for real-world challenges
- CodeCTRL controller with display for micro:bit — a handheld game-style controller for interactive games and physical computing
- Forward Education Learning Platform — curriculum-aligned STEM lessons, coding tutorials, career profiles, and PD courses
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
Iowa public school districts developing career academy programs with employer partnerships.
How much is in the Career Academy pool?
Up to $5M annually.
Can Career Academy funds be used for CS and coding tools?
Yes. Technology pathway career academies can use funds for coding equipment and curriculum.
How do Iowa districts apply?
Apply at educateiowa.gov by November 13, 2026.
How can Forward Education help?
We provide CTE alignment documents and letters of support for Iowa career academy applications.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents — Iowa standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines
Download the Forward Education Grant Guide
Our grant guide helps educators find the right funding sources and build strong applications for STEM and coding programs.
Get the Grant Guide
