Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway

Request for Proposal

Connecting K-12 school districts and employers for the successful implementation of INCAP programs

The Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP) is a new professional education and training pathway that combines classroom education with on-the-job training to prepare high school students for careers while simultaneously developing a new talent pipeline for employers seeking to address workforce needs.

Grant Opportunity

Through a $1.2 million grant from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation to Ascend Indiana, we are seeking up to 12 regionally based organizations interested in serving as INCAP intermediaries. Each selected intermediary will be awarded $100,000 total in two phases.

Grantee Role

Intermediaries will act as a bridge between Industry Talent Associations and participating schools and students. They will establish relationships with schools, help prepare students to apply for and start their apprenticeship program, and support student success during program participation, among other responsibilities.

Application Process

Review Request for Proposal

Those interested in learning more about becoming an INCAP intermediary can find the RFP details below.

Letter of Intent

Organizations interested in being considered as an INCAP intermediary must submit a Letter of Intent by Friday, July 25.

Final Proposals

Final proposals are due Friday, August 15, from those organizations invited to submit.

Virtual

Q&A Webinar

A virtual Q&A webinar was held on July 15, which included an overview of the RFP and proposal instructions as well as responses to submitted questions. For those unable to attend the webinar, the presentation, recording, and answers to questions are available below. 

Evaluation and Award

01

Selection Process

The evaluation of proposals will be overseen by the CEMETS iLab Indiana Governing Committee, in partnership with an Advisory Committee, representing members from industry talent associations, K-12 schools, and philanthropy.

02

Award Announcement

The iLab Governing Committee will announce awardees the week of October 6th. All applicants will be informed of their award status via email.

03

First Award

Selected intermediaries will be awarded $15,000 following the notice of the award to support planning activities from October to December 2025.

04

Second Award

The selected intermediaries will be awarded the remaining $85,000 in January 2026 to begin implementation activities outlined in their implementation plan.

TimeLine

RFP Launch

June 30, 2025

Virtual Q&A Webinar

July 15, 2025

Deadline for Questions

July 15, 2025

Response to Questions Posted

July 18, 2025

Letter of Intent Deadline

July 25, 2025

Invitation to Bid

August 1, 2025

Proposal Deadline

August 15, 2025

INCAP Intermediary Selection Announcement

Week of October 6, 2025

Submission Deadlines

Final proposals are due Friday, August 15, from those organizations invited to submit.