The U.S. Department of Labor announced the launch of its American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, designed through a cooperative agreement with Arkansas, to support the expansion of advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeships nationwide.
Arkansas' Department of Commerce announced that the state received a four-year, $35.8 million cooperative agreement to lead the effort.
The fund establishes a pay-for-performance model, linking incentive payments to predefined outcomes. Sponsors and employers seeking to receive incentive funds must complete an application process to determine their eligibility. Those eligible will receive $3,500 per apprentice upon the successful completion of a 90-day probationary period.
Arkansas will act as the sole grantee and national administrator of the fund, which aims to support the creation, expansion and long-term sustainability of high-quality registered apprenticeships in more than 120 advanced manufacturing occupations, including aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, shipbuilding, semiconductors and nuclear energy.
The application portal for the fund is scheduled to open January 28, 2026. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until available funds are fully obligated. Additional details on eligibility and the application process will be released ahead of the launch.
For more information, visit Apprenticeship.gov or ArkansasOSD.com/MFGfund. To inquire directly, email [email protected] or call 501-682-6546.
