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Grants for Internship & Apprenticeship Programs

Federal agencies and state workforce development programs provide grants supporting paid internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences. These grants fund nonprofits, businesses, educational institutions, workforce boards, and youth organizations creating career pathways for students and young adults. Below are 11 verified funding opportunities for internship and workforce development programs.

Who Can Apply: Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)), businesses (for-profit and small businesses), colleges/universities, community colleges, K-12 school districts, workforce investment boards, tribal organizations, and local governments developing internship or apprenticeship programs.

Types of Internship Programs Funded

đź’Ľ Paid Summer Internships

Summer employment programs providing stipends/wages for high school and college students gaining professional work experience. Typically 6-12 week programs with mentorship, skill-building workshops, and career exploration opportunities.

🎓 Work-Based Learning

School-year internships integrated with academic curriculum, including cooperative education (co-ops), practicums, and clinical placements. Students earn credit and wages while developing industry-specific skills and professional competencies.

🔧 Registered Apprenticeships

Multi-year earn-while-you-learn programs combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction leading to industry-recognized credentials. DOL-registered programs in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, IT, construction, and emerging industries.

🌟 Youth Employment Programs

Job training and subsidized employment for opportunity youth (16-24), disconnected from school and work. Programs targeting underserved populations, foster youth, justice-involved youth, and low-income communities.

Who Can Apply for Internship Grants?

Eligible Applicants

  • Nonprofit organizations: 501(c)(3) youth-serving nonprofits, workforce development organizations, community-based organizations
  • Businesses: For-profit companies (including small businesses) creating apprenticeship or internship programs
  • Educational institutions: Colleges, universities, community colleges, K-12 school districts, vocational schools
  • Workforce boards: Local workforce development boards (WIBs/LWDBs), state workforce agencies
  • Government entities: Cities, counties, state agencies developing youth employment initiatives
  • Tribal organizations: Tribal governments, tribal colleges, Native American organizations

Common Funding Priorities

  • Opportunity youth (disconnected from school/work)
  • Low-income and economically disadvantaged populations
  • STEM and advanced manufacturing career pathways
  • Employer partnerships and industry alignment
  • Credential attainment and stackable credentials
  • Rural and underserved community access
  • Justice-involved and foster youth populations
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion in high-wage careers

Major Federal Internship Grant Programs

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Primary federal workforce development funding stream. Formula grants to states distributed through local workforce boards. Youth programs (14-24) include subsidized employment, work experience, internships, and apprenticeships. Requires 20% expenditure on out-of-school youth work experience.

Apprenticeship Building America (ABA)

DOL competitive grants for expanding registered apprenticeships, especially in non-traditional industries (IT, healthcare, clean energy). Supports pre-apprenticeship programs, employer intermediaries, industry partnerships, and youth apprenticeships. Awards $1M-$5M per grant.

YouthBuild Program

HUD/DOL program for low-income youth (16-24) providing construction skills training through building affordable housing. Participants earn stipends while gaining credentials, GED/diploma completion, and leadership development. Strong community service component.

NSF Research Experiences (REU)

National Science Foundation funding for undergraduate STEM research internships. Host sites receive grants to support 8-12 student cohorts in summer research. Participants receive stipends, housing, and professional development. Competitive awards to universities and research institutions.

Available Funding Opportunities

These grants support internship and apprenticeship programs. Contact your local workforce development board or state labor department for application assistance.

Proposition 4 Grant Program

Tahoe Conservancy Environment & Water; Parks & Recreation Rolling deadline

The Conservancy's Proposition 4 program aims to support watershed improvement, forest health biomass utilization, chaparral and forest restoration, and workforce development, and to reduce the risks o...

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Proposition 4 Wildfire

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Environment & Water Fixed deadline

To improve local fire prevention capacity, enhance forest health and resilience, or reduce the risk of wildfire spreading from wildlands into populated areas. Projects funded under the Fire category m...

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Wildfire Prevention Grant Program

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Disadvantaged Communities; Disaster Prevention & Relief; Environment & Water; Parks & Recreation Fixed deadline

Priorities for RMC Wildfire Prevention Grant Program: 1. Protect and expand native forests/wildlands; 2. Support communities in increasing their resilience to wildfire and improving fire safety; 3....

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is WIOA and how does it fund internships?

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the primary federal workforce development law, enacted in 2014. It provides formula funding to states through local workforce investment boards. WIOA Title I Youth programs serve ages 14-24 with career services, education, training, and work experience. The law mandates at least 20% of youth funds be spent on work experience (internships, summer jobs, apprenticeships). Eligibility focuses on low-income youth, especially out-of-school youth facing barriers. Contact your local American Job Center or workforce board for application information.

Can businesses get paid to hire interns?

Yes, through several mechanisms. WIOA subsidized employment reimburses employers (often 50-100% of wages) for hiring eligible youth as interns. On-the-Job Training (OJT) grants offset training costs. Registered apprenticeship tax credits provide $1,000-$5,000 per apprentice. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) offers credits for hiring from targeted populations. State programs vary—some offer direct wage subsidies, others provide training grants. Contact your state workforce agency or local workforce board to explore employer incentives for internship programs.

What's the difference between internships and apprenticeships?

Internships are typically short-term (6-12 weeks to one year), often for college students or recent graduates, may be paid or unpaid (though federally-funded must pay), and provide general work exposure. Apprenticeships are long-term (1-6 years), structured training programs combining on-the-job learning with classroom instruction, always paid (progressive wage increases), and lead to industry-recognized credentials. Registered apprenticeships meet DOL standards and result in nationally-recognized certificates. Pre-apprenticeships prepare participants for entry into registered apprenticeship programs.

How much do internship grants typically provide?

Highly variable by program. WIOA work experience subsidies: $2,000-$8,000 per participant (covering wages, case management, support services). YouthBuild: $1,100/month average stipend per participant. NSF REU: $5,000-$7,000 stipend per student for 10-week summer programs. Apprenticeship grants: $1M-$5M for multi-year programs serving 100-500 participants. Most grants cover wages/stipends plus program costs (supervision, training materials, support services). Expect $3,000-$10,000 total cost per intern including all expenses.

Are there grants for unpaid internships?

Federal workforce development grants require paid positions—WIOA, YouthBuild, apprenticeships all mandate compensation. DOL strongly encourages paid internships for educational and equity reasons. However, some academic and research grants (NSF REU, NIH training grants) fund student stipends but don't necessarily reimburse employer costs. Private foundations occasionally fund unpaid internship programs with stipend support. If seeking funding for unpaid internships, focus on educational institution grants or private foundation support rather than DOL/workforce development funding streams.

What support services can internship grants cover?

Beyond wages, most grants allow comprehensive support: transportation assistance (bus passes, mileage, rideshare subsidies), professional attire/uniforms, tools and equipment, child care for working parents, case management and career counseling, skills workshops and soft skills training, mentorship programs, credential/certification exam fees, background checks and drug testing, participant recruitment and outreach, program evaluation and data tracking. Allowable costs vary by funding source—WIOA is very flexible, while some competitive grants have restrictions. Expect 20-40% of total budget for support services beyond direct wages.

Essential Resources for Internship Program Developers

🏢 CareerOneStop

DOL's comprehensive workforce resource. Find local workforce board contacts, American Job Centers, apprenticeship programs, and WIOA youth services. Workforce GPS provides training and technical assistance for grant recipients.

🔧 ApprenticeshipUSA

DOL's registered apprenticeship portal. Search existing programs, learn registration process, access grant opportunities, find State Apprenticeship Agencies. Includes pre-apprenticeship standards and youth apprenticeship frameworks.

đź“š National Fund for Workforce Solutions

National network supporting workforce partnerships and career pathways. Provides training on sector partnerships, employer engagement, and work-based learning models. Resources on dual customer (job seekers + employers) service delivery.

🌟 Youth.gov

Federal interagency website for youth programs. Grant listings, evidence-based practices, evaluation tools, and program models for youth employment and career development. Coordinated by DOL, HHS, and Department of Education.

Related Grant Resources

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