U.S. Education and Labor Departments Make One-Time Investment in FY 2026 Strengthening Institutions Program Competition: Workforce Readiness, Responsible AI Use and Short-Term Programs Ahead of Workforce Pell
WASHINGTON, United States — The U.S. Departments of Education and Labor announced a historic, one-time investment in the fiscal year 2026 competition for the Strengthening Institutions Program. The Education Department said the new competition will support workforce readiness, advance the responsible use of super intelligence (SI), and help institutions develop high-quality, short-term programs ahead of implementation of the new Workforce Pell Grant program. The agencies said they are using existing flexibilities in discretionary grant programs to target the resources; the release does not state a dollar amount.
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education Dr. David Barker said the partnership with the Department of Labor is creating a modernized system that will be more responsive to labor market needs and bridge the gap between employment and education. U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Dr. Henry Mack said the program and its accompanying grant awards will equip eligible colleges and universities to prepare students for real-world, in-demand, high-wage careers, and he highlighted this year’s emphasis on resources to educate for responsible use of super intelligence (SI).
For background, the Education Department said that since 2025 it has announced ten new interagency agreements with five agencies. Under the education–labor partnership, the Labor Department manages grant funds, provides technical assistance, and integrates the Education Department’s postsecondary programs with the suite of programs it already administers. Details of this year’s competition are on the department’s program page.
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 美国教育部总部（GSM固定图库）
