Education and Workforce Innovation Commission Grants
*These grants are not for individuals. Only public school units and charter schools are eligible for these grants. These grants apply only to Career and Technical Education programs.
The Education and Workforce Innovation Commission (EWIC) is a Commission comprised of education professionals across the state of North Carolina. These individuals include the Secretary of Commerce, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Chair of the State Board of Education, the President of the University of North Carolina, the President of the North Carolina Community College System, three members appointed by the Governor, three members who were appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and three members appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The EWIC is located administratively at the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) but exercises all its prescribed powers independently of DPI.
The Commission administers and develops, in coordination with the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Career and Technical Education Grade Expansion Program, as established under G.S. 115C-64.17.
This program is a competitive grant opportunity, which was established to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs by prioritizing the inclusion of students in 6th and 7th grade through grant awards provided to selected public school units. Grant funds shall be used only for employing additional licensed personnel in career and technical education areas, career development coordination areas, and support service areas necessary for expanding the CTE program to sixth and seventh grade students. The funds may be used for CTE programs at one or more schools in the local school administrative unit. For a local school administrative unit, the funds may be used for CTE programs at one or more schools in the unit. This program is available to public school units and charter schools.
The Commission also facilitates The Innovation Grant under G.S. 115C-64.16. This program was established to foster innovation and education that will lead to more students graduating career and college ready. These funds may be awarded to individual schools, public school units, or a regional partnership of more than one public school unit to advance comprehensive, high-quality education that equips teachers with the knowledge and skill required to succeed with all students.
This grant requires the grant recipient to form a partnership for the purposes of the grant with either a public or private university or community college, as well as with a regional business or business leader. With this partnership formed, these grants should foster education for students to graduate career and college ready by exposing them to the partnerships and experiences of both local business and industry and a higher institution of education. This program is available to public school units and charter schools.
Current grant details:
Both grants, at the vote of the Education and Workforce Innovation Commission, are currently operating under a one-year grant cycle.
For more information on these grants, contact Career and Technical Education, NCDPI Career Readiness Specialist, Jacqueline Wyatt.
Please do not contact Ms. Wyatt for grant questions regarding individual grant opportunities. These grants are not applicable to individuals. These grants are only applicable to public school units (school districts and high schools) and charter schools to provide additional Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities to middle and high school students.