STATE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (STEP)
REQUEST FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS (RGA)
PROGRAM YEAR 2027
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB), in partnership with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), announces the release of the State Training and Employment Program (STEP) Request for Grant Applications (RGA) for Program Year 2026–2027.
STEP is authorized under AS 23.15.620–652 and 8 AAC 84 and funds employer-driven, training-to-employment projects that lead to industry-recognized credentials (where applicable), unsubsidized employment, retention, and wage progression for Alaska residents.
Important notice regarding funding cycle updates
The STEP RGA, Appendices, and Technical Assistance (TA) Guide have been substantially revised for this funding cycle.
Applicants must review all current materials in full. Prior-year solicitations, templates, modeling assumptions, and submission practices do not apply.
Key structural updates include:
- Strengthened alignment requirements across narrative, budget, and performance projections
- Enhanced verification of the 50% Participant Services requirement
- Clarified performance projection modeling expectations
- Placement projections must be supported by documented employer hiring demand
- Employer wage reimbursement (OJT) is not an allowable cost under this cycle
Applications must reflect the updated requirements and modeling framework described in the current RGA and Appendices.
Funding purpose
STEP supports projects that:
- Align training with high-demand occupations and documented employer hiring demand
- Lead to unsubsidized employment, retention, and wage progression
- Demonstrate proportional alignment between enrollment, budget scale, and projected outcomes
- Exceed the statutory requirement that at least 50% of STEP funds directly support participant services
- Prioritize Alaska residents and reduce nonresident hire where applicable
- Demonstrate cost-effective, performance-driven service delivery
Placement projections must be supported by documented employer hiring demand or sponsor intake capacity (for apprenticeship-aligned programs). Employer wage reimbursement is not allowable under this funding cycle.
Eligible applicants
- Eligible applicants may include, but are not limited to:
- Education and training providers
- Nonprofit and community-based organizations
- Tribal organizations
- Employers and industry partnerships
- Other entities with demonstrated workforce training capacity
Applicants must meet all eligibility, fiscal, and capacity requirements outlined in the STEP RGA.
Funding availability
- Total STEP funds available: Approximately $7,000,000.00
- Anticipated award size: Awards are expected to range from $25,000.00 to $400,000.00
AWIB reserves the right to make full, partial, multiple, or no awards based on application quality, proportional alignment, and the availability of funds.
Final enrollment targets, performance benchmarks, and budget allocations are subject to post-award scope alignment before grant execution.
Application materials
The STEP application package includes:
- The STEP Request for Grant Applications (RGA)
- Required Appendices (including Budget Narrative, 50% Participant Services Worksheet, and Performance Projection Table)
- The Technical Assistance (TA) Guide
- The Applicant Quick Start Guide and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The RGA and Appendices establish enforceable requirements. The TA Guide is informational only and does not create additional requirements.
All totals must reconcile across:
- EGrAMS entries
- Appendix A (Budget Narrative)
- Appendix A (50% Worksheet)
- Appendix C (Performance Projections)
Submission method and deadline
All applications must be submitted electronically through EGrAMS.
Application submission deadline: April 20th, 2026 at 11:59PM (Alaska Time)
Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. EGrAMS timestamps determine submission status.
Important:
Applicants must create an EGrAMS account and submit a Project Director Request before the application deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete this step early to avoid delays in submission.
Missing required components, including Appendix A, the 50% Worksheet, or Appendix C, may result in non-responsiveness.
Questions and answers (Q&A) period
Q&A period opens: 03/09/2026
Q&A period closes: 04/13/2026
All questions must be submitted in writing to: awib.grants@alaska.gov
To ensure fair and consistent access to information:
- AWIB will not respond to individual inquiries
- All timely questions and official responses will be posted publicly
- Applicants are responsible for reviewing all posted Q&A before submission
Bidder conference / technical assistance session
AWIB will host a bidder’s conference / technical assistance (TA) session to provide an overview of:
- The updated RGA structure
- Required appendices
- Budget and 50% compliance expectations
- Performance projection modeling
- Alignment, architecture, and proportional design
Attendance is strongly encouraged but not required.
The session will be recorded and posted on the official RGA webpage. No new requirements will be introduced during the session.
Bidder Conference / TA Session: Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 10AM-11:30AM https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21959487723526?p=JtQjRrZVZhwn9dTmPE
Anticipated award and grant period
- Anticipated award notification: On or about June 20th, 2026.
- Anticipated grant start date: July 1, 2026
- Grant period: [12 months, unless otherwise specified]
Award amounts and benchmarks will be finalized through post-award scope alignment before execution.
Clarifications, amendments, and addenda
AWIB reserves the right to issue clarifications, amendments, or addenda. All updates will be posted at the official RGA location.
Applicants are responsible for monitoring the posting site.
Clarifications do not permit submission of missing required components after the deadline.
Equal opportunity and accessibility
STEP is an equal opportunity program. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws.
Reasonable accommodations for participation in the application process, bidder’s conference, or technical assistance sessions may be requested by contacting:
Jeff Steeprow
Alaska Workforce Investment Board
jeffrey.steeprow@alaska.gov
Accommodation requests should be made as early as possible to allow adequate time for coordination.
Official posting location
The STEP RGA, Appendices, TA Guide, Applicant Quick Start Guide, FAQs, and related materials are available on EGrAMS with application and https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx.