State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula, Round 4 (SAEF4)

Background
The State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Round 4 (SAEF4) grant program is administered by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The program aims to enhance the capacity of states and territories to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs, addressing critical skills gaps across various industries.

The DOL has allocated approximately $85 million in formula funding for this initiative, which aligns with national workforce development strategies and aims to support economic growth by increasing the number of active apprentices in high-demand sectors such as artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, and information technology.

Grant Details
The SAEF4 program requires eligible states and territories to commit to four core requirements:

(1) Setting statewide Registered Apprenticeship expansion goals;
(2) Dedicating a portion of funding to support Registered Apprenticeship programs in state-identified industries;
(3) Committing to leverage at least 50% of the base funding amount allocated; and
(4) For states with federally recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies, promoting transparency by publishing average program approval times.

Funding can be used for hiring staff, streamlining registration processes, aligning education systems with apprenticeship programs, and developing or modifying related instruction programs. States must submit a project narrative detailing how they will meet these commitments.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and territories with more than 100 active apprentices as of FY 2025. States with fewer than 100 active apprentices are not eligible. Each state is limited to one application submitted by a designated state agency.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for this grant is set for 36 months, starting from July 1, 2026.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant program is approximately $85 million, with awards distributed based on a performance-based formula that considers new and active apprentices reported in the previous fiscal year.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed in various states and territories across the United States that meet eligibility criteria.