September 22, 2023

One week out from the end of the fiscal year, we appear to be heading towards a government shut down and the question becomes not if but how long will a government shutdown last. Both chambers have been trying to move on appropriations separately over the past two weeks, and for different reasons, both chambers have been unsuccessful. Stay tuned for what is sure to be an eventful last week of September in DC.

Now let's dive into the latest news in higher education.

Career Skills Training Program Funding Available

The Department of Energy (DOE) is now accepting applications for competitive funding to expand energy efficiency workforce training programs. Authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Career Skills Training program (CST) will provide up to $10 million in competitive grants for nonprofit partnerships between public or private industry and labor organizations to deliver programs that provide both energy efficiency classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Community Colleges are eligible as primary recipients or subrecipients in partnership with industry or labor groups. Deadline to apply is November 27, 2023.

For additional information, check out the Funding Opportunity Announcement. DOE will also host an informational webinar on October 3, 2023 at 3 PM ET.   

Mentor-Connect Opportunities

Initially funded in 2012 to respond to issues and opportunities in the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program grants, Mentor-Connect leverages ATE Program assets, that is, its experienced principal investigators to support community colleges in their applications for ATE grants. 

The program is now offering mentoring to community college faculty who have not had ATE grants, even if their college has previously had awards from this National Science Foundation (NSF) program. The program pairs faculty with mentors to help them prepare their applications for ATE grants. Applications for Mentor-Connect’s new cohort are due November 10.

Community college educators interested in participating should register for an informational webinar hosted by Mentor-Connect. The webinar will take place on September 27, 2023, at 2 p.m. EST and will provide an overview of the ATE program and details about the mentoring that Mentor-Connect provides to faculty over nine months as they prepare ATE grant proposals. The 90-minute webinar will be recorded to view later, too. 

Perkins Innovation & Modernization (PIM) Grant Reminder

Last month, the Department of Education (ED) issued a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for the Perkins Innovation and Modernization (PIM) grant program. The deadline to apply is October 13, 2023. 

The purpose of the PIM grant program is to identify, support, and rigorously evaluate evidence-based and innovative strategies and activities to improve and modernize career and technical education (CTE) and ensure workforce skills taught in CTE programs align with labor market needs.

With this competition, the Department seeks to support applicants that will build capacity among secondary education, postsecondary education, and workforce development systems to expand access to career-connected high school programs for more students. For more information and to apply, please click here.

• July 3 - Prison Education Program (PEP) applications open on a rolling basis

• September 12 - Latest Action in Washington LIVE Webinar
• September 25 - deadline to apply for Postsecondary Student Success Grant
• October 13 - Perkins Innovation & Modernization Grant
• October 2023 - deadline to apply for Advanced Technological Education
• November 14 - deadline to apply for Strengthening Community College Training Grants
• November 27, 2023 - Department of Energy's Career Skills Training Program
• November 30 - deadline for letters of intent for Climate Ready Workforce for Coastal and Great Lakes States, Tribes, and Territories Initiative

Outreach Efforts

Is your institution meeting or hosting an event with federal elected officials?

We created a Congressional Contact Form that will help us track outreach efforts of community college leaders across our membership. By filling out the form, you are better informing ACCT's advocacy efforts and our advocacy team is able to continue those conversations with congressional staff in DC. 

We also put together an outreach toolkit and an advocacy guide to share best practices for meeting with elected officials and set your team up for success.

ACCT NOW is the go-to resource for issues affecting community colleges. Our new website features original reporting and research, as well as of-the-moment legislative updates. ACCT NOW also includes articles, reports, and research from outside sources that benefit the ACCT community. Read the Latest Articles on ACCT NOW:

Have a Question?

Contact us with any questions or concerns about public policy and ACCT's advocacy on behalf of two-year colleges and two-year college trustees. ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts are sent to interested ACCT members to keep you up to date on important legislative activities that impact community colleges. If you no longer wish to receive ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts, reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. For more information about ACCT's advocacy services, visit acct.org/advocacy

Spread the Word.

Please encourage your fellow trustees, presidents and colleagues to stay up to date about legislation that affects their community colleges by joining the Latest Action in Washington (LAW) E-Alert network. To join, simply e-mail publicpolicy@acct.org with 'LAW Alert' in the subject of the e-mail.

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