The Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant is a funding opportunity announced by Governor Reynolds to address workforce shortages in Iowa's healthcare sector. With $3,000,000 in total available funding, the grant supports healthcare employers in creating new pipelines of workers for high-demand healthcare occupations. The initiative emphasizes work-based learning (WBL) programs with earn-and-learn components, such as Registered Apprenticeships, on-the-job training programs, or similar initiatives that upskill or reskill workers. Eligible applicants can request up to $250,000 per project, provided they supply a 25% private match of the total program cost.

The grant funds can be used for various expenses, including third-party tuition and fees for healthcare training coursework, credentialing and licensing exams (excluding ceremonial costs), participant wages during training, internal instructor wages, mentor or preceptor wages, and up to 5% of administrative expenses. Programs must specifically target high-demand healthcare occupations like dental hygienists, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), registered nurses, paramedics, and others listed as priority fields.

To qualify, applicants must be healthcare employers operating in Iowa, providing healthcare services in hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory care, home health, or dental offices. They must maintain a physical location in Iowa, be in good standing with the state, and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through SAM.gov. Eligible employers must also ensure that their workforce pipeline programs address one or more of the identified high-demand occupations.

Applicants must submit their proposals through IowaGrants.gov between January 15, 2025, and the deadline of February 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Instructions and required forms are provided on the platform. Interested applicants can also attend informational webinars on January 23, 2025, and February 5, 2025, to gain further insights about the application process and eligibility requirements.

Evaluation criteria will likely focus on how well the proposed program aligns with grant goals, the sustainability of the workforce pipeline, and the applicant's ability to deliver measurable outcomes. Administrative expenses are capped at 5% of the grant award and cannot be used toward the private match requirement. Applications must adhere to all provided guidelines and deadlines to be considered.

Questions regarding the grant opportunity should be directed to Kathy Leggett, Business Engagement Liaison at Iowa Workforce Development. She can be contacted via email or phone at the provided contact information. This funding opportunity offers healthcare employers a chance to expand their workforce while addressing critical needs in Iowa’s healthcare sector.