Funding opportunity
The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), working with Caltrans, released Round Two of the High Road to Construction Careers 2026 (HRCC 2026) grant program on October 28, 2026. This competitive financial assistance round supports existing regional construction pre-apprenticeship partnerships and workforce training for infrastructure and building-trades employment. It is not a vendor procurement opportunity.
Grant amounts and deadline
Round Two provides $19,000,000 in total program funds. An eligible applicant may request up to $4,000,000 for its own project. The overall pool must not be presented as an individual award. Applications are due Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST). CWDB states that its timeline is subject to change.
Who can apply
Only existing HRCC grantees qualify. The organization serving as fiscal agent for an HRCC Round One region must also serve as fiscal agent for its Round Two application. Applications from organizations that are not current HRCC grantees will be disqualified. A required regional partner network must include local Building Trades Council representation, at least one Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) provider, and at least one community-based organization. Community colleges, workforce boards, school districts, and other entities may participate as additional partners. Participation as a partner does not confer independent lead-applicant eligibility.
Activities and restrictions
Eligible project work focuses on high-road construction pre-apprenticeship training, participant support services, improved access to registered apprenticeships, construction workforce placement, and partnership coordination with public infrastructure and labor-market priorities. Applications must describe target participant groups, measurable training and placement goals, and partner responsibilities. Program funds must supplement rather than replace existing state or local spending. The RFA encourages cash or in-kind leveraged resources; applicants should report partner commitments and follow the governing guidance, without assuming an unpublished fixed match percentage. Administrative and indirect expense rules, allowable purchasing, monitoring, and reporting requirements are detailed in the controlling RFA. The estimated project end date is May 31, 2029.
How to apply
Existing HRCC grantees must use the Cal-E-Grants electronic portal, selecting the High Road to Construction Careers 2026 Grant Program. Required application elements include a cover page, a project narrative with 3,000-character responses to each narrative question, a participant plan, partner roles and responsibilities, and a Payee Data Record (STD 204), plus STD 205 when applicable. Budget exhibits are not required at initial Round Two submission but will be required after selection before a grant agreement can be completed. Paper submissions will not be accepted.
Official application and updates: CWDB HRCC 2026 Round Two. Controlling RFA: October 28, 2026 Round Two Request for Applications. Application assistance: Solicitations@cwdb.ca.gov.