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Industry Apprenticeship Accelerator - Office of Apprenticeship

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Registered Apprenticeship intermediaries are organizations that help employers and labor unions build and expand Registered Apprenticeship programs. Intermediaries play a critical role in launching new programs, supporting employers, and bringing apprenticeship into new industries and communities across Maryland.

The Industry Apprenticeship Accelerator program invests in the creation and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship intermediaries that can scale up Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in industries critical to Maryland’s economy.

Overview

The Industry Apprenticeship Accelerator is a competitive grant program that provides funding to organizations with demonstrated expertise in:

  • Connecting sponsors, employers, and potential Apprenticeship program participants with Registered Apprenticeship programs
  • Convening stakeholders to develop Registered Apprenticeship programs, including previous sector strategies or sectoral work
  • Other key functions necessary to successfully build and scale high-quality Registered Apprenticeship programs

This grant program focuses on creating and expanding Registered Apprenticeships in sectors of Maryland’s economy where apprenticeship is uncommon or underutilized.

Priority sectors, allowable activities, and strategies are available in the Program Policy and Solicitation.

Application Process

Grants are awarded through a competitive solicitation process.

2026 Application Cycle:

  • Solicitation opens: February 23, 2026
  • Pre-proposal Conference: March 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Register here.
  • Proposals Due: May 8, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.
  • Grantees Notified: June 2026

Funding Availability

  • Expected Award Amounts: $250,000 – $2.5 million
  • Period of Performance: June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2029

Examples of Eligible Use of Funds

  • Staffing
  • Administrative costs
  • Recruitment and outreach
  • Curriculum development
  • Employer convenings
  • Other costs as approved by Maryland Department of Labor

Prohibited Use of Funds

  • Construction or purchase of facilities or buildings, or other capital expenditures for improvements to land or buildings; and,
  • Purchase of equipment exceeding $5,000 per unit.

About the Program

The Industry Apprenticeship Accelerator was established through the Registered Apprenticeship Investment for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Act and Senate Bill 431. The program supports organizations that help employers design, launch, and expand Registered Apprenticeship and High School Level Apprenticeship opportunities across Maryland. By investing in intermediary partners, the State is accelerating apprenticeship growth in high-demand industries and expanding equitable access to paid, industry-recognized career pathways.

For additional information about the Industry Apprenticeship Accelerator, contact Logan Dean at logan.dean@maryland.gov.

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