Call for Applications: Round 3 of funding for Sierra K16 Projects applications open February 9, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:

Round 3 of funding for Sierra K16 Projects applications open February 9, 2026  

The Sierra K16 Collaborative has opened Round 3 of Sierra K16 funds to expand programs in Career  Pathways. The major priorities are to increase equity and invest in public K-16 schools, including adult  education, and ensure work-based learning opportunities throughout the 7 counties of Alpine, Amador,  Calaveras, Inyo, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne. Priority Career Pathways that have already received  investment are Healthcare, Computer Engineering, and Education. Partner collaboration is a requirement  of any project of the Sierra K16 Collaborative. The following will be taken into consideration for Sierra  K16 Round 3 funding:

1) Equitable geographic reach across all communities in the 7 county Sierra Region.

2) Equitable and expansive opportunities to students of all K-16 grade levels across the 7 county  Sierra region to engage in the Career Pathways.

3) Current projects that have spent (or will have spent) their current project budgets by June 30,  2026 but are requesting additional funds to continue or expand the projects through June 30,  2028.

4) New projects that may begin work on a new Career Pathway or continue work on an Existing  Pathway that have not already received Sierra K-16 funding.

5) New projects that may begin work on a new Career Pathway or continue work on an Existing  Pathway that have already received Sierra K-16 funding but have not or will not have spent their  current project budgets by June 30, 2026.

We now open opportunities to apply for projects up to $500,000. Approximately $1.7 million in funds is  available for projects. The Sierra K16 Collaborative reserves the right to award grants at lower amounts if  necessary and appropriate. The period of performance is July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. Projects must align  with the Sierra K16 Work Plan and address the following:

1. Create sufficient opportunities for Work Based Learning;
2. Address inequities with the goal of elimination in access, participation, and completion of pathways
3. Improve infrastructure (non-construction) to support training in the pathways;
4. Increase access to clear, well-aligned, stackable courses in the designated pathway;
5. Agree to share data in a comprehensive data collection and outcome sharing system;
6. Collaborate with at least one partner each from the K-16 system and from Industry, as evidenced by a  letter of support.

Application Evaluation:

Applications will be evaluated on how well the plans address the above criteria.  The application period is open from February 9, 2026 to March 20th, 2026 at 11:59pm.  Application review period will be March 23rd through March 27, 2026.

Awards will be announced and acceptance letters sent via email no later than April 10, 2026.

Allowable Expenditures:

The following information is intended to provide an advisory list of common, but not exhaustive, eligible  project expenditures.

• Additional or new staffing costs directly associated with the tasks aligned with the scope of work for  the grant including salaries and benefits
• Materials costs
• Advertising and marketing costs
• Non-student travel expenses directly associated with the tasks outlined in the scope of work. Limited  to reimbursement rates used by the State of California, and limited to within the State of  California.
• Costs associated with events for the purpose of professional development or training
• Training materials, software, curriculum
• Activities of an academic or cultural nature, such as field trips, special lectures, and symposiums, that  are aligned with the grant’s objectives
• Food for participants of meetings necessary for pathway and/or Recovery with Equity implementation  purposes.

Applications should be submitted by March 20th, 2026 at 11:59pm through the Project Application Portal  found at k-16sierra.org between February 9, 2026 and March 20, 2026.

News Staff