California State Funding
CTE Incentive Grant 25-26
Eligibility
- Local educational agencies (LEAs), including:
- School districts
- County offices of education
- Charter schools
- Regional occupational centers/programs (ROCPs), with the written consent of participating LEAs
Goals
- Provide K–12 students with knowledge and skills to transition to employment or postsecondary education
Application Due Date
- September 5, 2025
Grant Cycle
- Fiscal Year 2025–26
- Notification: Expected November 2025 (via SBE approval and Grant Award Notification letters)
Grant Award Total Amount & Allocation
- Total Statewide Funding: $300,000,000
- Allocation: Formula-based;
- Matching Requirement: Local match required - $2 for every $1 of grant funds
Allowable Purchases (2025–26)
- Funds may be used for:
- Standards-aligned curriculum and instructional materials
- Professional development for CTE educators
- Training/meetings among CTE stakeholders (counselors, business partners, parents)
- Equipment and materials that support industry-standard CTE instruction
- Transportation and related costs for CTE learning activities (work-based learning, field experiences)
- Pupil support services (career, academic, SEL)
- Facility upgrades specifically for CTE course equipment
LEGO Education SPIKE™ Essential and SPIKE™ Prime are aligned with the CTE Incentive Grant’s focus on preparing students with hands-on, industry-relevant skills. Both solutions provide standards-based, project-driven learning in engineering, computer science, and technology pathways—helping districts meet grant goals of career readiness and postsecondary preparation. By integrating robotics, coding, and problem-solving experiences, SPIKE supports the development of critical thinking and collaboration skills valued in today’s workforce, while professional development ensures educators can implement these tools effectively within CTE programs.
Program Implementation Requirements
- LEAs or consortia must meet match and eligibility assurances, as directed in the RFA
- Consortium agreements must allocate funds proportionally based on 2024–25 Grades 7–12 P2 ADA
- Reporting deliverables include:
- Narrative progress report and fiscal progress report (due January 31, 2027)
- CTE completer data (collected starting Jan 2027; submitted March 2027)
- End-of-year narrative and fiscal expenditure reports (with match breakdown and codes 3800/6000)
- Renewal eligibility requires completion of all deliverables, intent-to-renew submission, updated budget, and sustainability plan
Keep in Mind—Tips for LEAs
- LEGO Education solutions are aligned with the California State Standards.
- RFA package includes: application instructions, PGMS instructions, expenditure lists, budget object code tables, assurance forms, and glossary of terms
- For consortiums, use the CTEIG MOU Template to structure fund allocation and obligations