High Road Training Partnerships: 2025 Grant Program
The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) are pleased to announce up to $18,577,290 in available grant funding for the High Road Training Partnerships 2025 Grant Program (HRTP 2025), a California Jobs First initiative. Of the total funding available, a minimum of $4,327,290 is allocated for projects in the healthcare sector.
This cycle of the HRTP program continues the agency’s commitment to increase access to existing High Road jobs for underserved populations and create pathways for incumbent workers seeking job growth with High Road employers. The HRTP model embodies the sector approach championed by the CWDB—industry partnerships that deliver job quality, economic equity for more workers, and climate resilience. For more information about previously funded HRTP projects, please see the CWDB’s High Road Training Partnership Profiles webpage.
Request for Applications (RFA)
Pre-Application
How to Apply
Applying for HRTP 2025 is a two-phase process. Phase I entails the submission of a Pre-Application via email to the CWDB prior to the application’s due date. Phase II entails the submission of the HRTP 2025 application, including narrative responses, Required Partner MOUs, and Agreements for New Projects in the Cal-E-Grants portal.
Applicants approved to advance to Phase II will be emailed an invitation to apply with information and deadlines for the Phase II application process.
Phase I Pre-Application
Applicants should take the following steps to complete and submit the Phase I Pre-Application.
- Download the Phase I Pre-Application.
- Complete all required fields.
Save a copy of the form. - To electronically sign the form, use Adobe software or a compatible Portable Document Format (PDF) reader and follow the prompts. If signing the document by hand, print the form, provide a signature, and scan the signed document.
- Email the completed form as an attachment to Solicitations@cwdb.ca.gov by Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 5:00 pm PT. Use “HRTP 2025 Pre-Application Submission” in the subject line.
Phase II Application Instructions
The CWDB will invite selected Phase I applicants to complete the Phase II application in the Cal-E-Grants system. More information will be provided to invited applicants at the conclusion of the Phase I application process.
Eligibility
Project Types
The High Road Training Partnerships 2025 Grant Program will fund projects in two stages of project readiness: Training Implementation and Expanding. Descriptions, funding award ranges, and duration of the two project types are listed below.
Leveraged/match funds are required at a 1:1 ratio.
Required Partners & MOU Requirements
California Jobs First Priority
The CWDB seeks to fund partnerships in high-demand industry sectors throughout the state. To ensure HRTP investments align with demand for good jobs, the CWDB has aligned its industry priorities for the HRTP 2025 grant with California Jobs First strategic sectors. Eligibility for HRTP 2025 is limited to projects focusing on one or more of the strategic industry sectors identified in California’s State Economic Blueprint and the thirteen California Jobs First Regional plans.
California’s State Economic Blueprint identifies key strategic sectors that are vital for driving the state’s future growth and innovation.
Pre-Application Webinar
The CWDB has provided a pre-recorded webinar detailing the Phase I Pre-Application and an HRTP 2025 grant program overview.
Potential applicants may view the pre-recorded webinar here.
Virtual Office Hours Session
The CWDB will host a Virtual Office Hours Session on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. During this session, prospective applicants can ask clarifying questions about the HRTP 2025 grant program and the application process. Attendees are strongly encouraged to review the RFA and pre-recorded application webinar before attending.
Grant Timeline
Phase I: Pre-Aplication Timeline
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| RFA Release | Monday, April 21, 2025 |
| Pre-Application Release | Monday, April 21, 2025 |
| First Weekly Q&A Posting | Friday, May 2, 2025 |
| Virtual Office Hours Session | Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 10:30 a.m. – Noon (live on Zoom) |
| Last Weekly Q&A Posting | Friday, May 16, 2025 |
| Pre-Applications Due | Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 5:00 p.m. |
| Notification of Phase II Status | Friday, May 23, 2025 – Friday, June 6, 2025 |
Phase II: Application Timeline (Invitation Only)
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Phase II Application Opens | Monday, June 9, 2025 |
| Application Office Hours: Budgets | TBD |
| Application Office Hours: General | TBD |
| First Weekly Q&A Posting | Friday, June 20, 2025 |
| Final Weekly Q&A Posting | Wednesday, July 2, 2025 |
| Applications Due | Monday, July 9, 2025, 5:00 p.m. |
| Award Announcement | Fall 2025 |
| Estimated Program Start Date | Winter 2026 |
| Grant Term | 24 months |
All dates in the table above are estimated and subject to change. Prospective applicants are encouraged to check this webpage frequently for updates.
Weekly Questions & Answers (Q&A)
The CWDB will post a weekly Question and Answer document to the HRTP 2025 webpage during Phase I and II of the open application period to address any questions submitted by interested applicants. The Q&A document serves as a supplement to this RFA and is intended to clarify policy about the grant and application process. Individual CWDB staff cannot respond directly to inquiries or engage with potential applicants during the open application period. Questions regarding this RFA can be sent via email to Solicitations@cwdb.ca.gov. Please use “HRTP 2025 Question” in the subject line.
Phase I Weekly Q&A
Cumulative questions and answers will be posted on the HRTP 2025 webpage on a weekly basis beginning Friday, May 2, 2025. Questions must be received each Tuesday by 2:00 PM (PT) to be included in that Friday’s weekly posting. The last Q&A posting will be Friday, May 16 and questions must be received by Wednesday, May 14, at 2:00 PM to receive an answer. Questions submitted after the deadline will not be included or answered in the Q&A.
Funding Source Information
Funding for this program was designated to the CWDB in the 2024-2025 State Budget, which allocated up to $18,577,290 for the High Road Training Partnerships. Of the total funding available, a minimum of $4,327,290 is allocated for projects in the healthcare sector. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law. The CWDB reserves the right to adjust the total number, duration, and amount of each grant award, including allocating additional funds above the requested amounts.