Manufacturing Pathways Program
Grants and hands-on support help Ohio schools grow high school pathways into advanced manufacturing and engineering careers.
Supported by the Walton Family Foundation.
Preparing more students for manufacturing careers
Ohio employers need more than 30,000 manufacturing technicians every year. The Manufacturing Pathways Program helps districts build high school pathways that prepare students for those jobs. Districts work with local employers and colleges to set up labs, train teachers, add industry credentials to courses and get students into real workplaces.
For 2026–2027, a second round of funding will support 10 new pathway program awards. These grants will help districts and consortia:
The program began in 2025 with $1.76 million in grants to 10 Ohio organizations. That first cohort included school districts, career centers, STEM schools and an educational service center. This year’s round will award up to $1.5 million to 10 more Ohio districts or consortia.
High-Quality Pathway Programs Include
Districts will choose credentials matched to their region, such as OSHA 10, SACA Industry 4.0, FANUC robotics, MSSC, Lean Six Sigma and forklift operation. Several of these credentials can also earn students college credit through community college agreements.
Work-Based Learning
Work-based learning connects classroom learning to real-world manufacturing careers through experiences designed with local employer partners. Employers help shape pathway offerings and provide opportunities for students to explore careers, build skills, and engage with the manufacturing workforce.
Students will:
First Results
An external evaluation by STEM Innovations looked at the program’s first year, 2025–26, across all 10 sites.
989 completing students:
Pathways Discovery Series
The Ohio Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Pathways Discovery Series will help teams prepare competitive applications for the Manufacturing Pathways Program RFP. The Pathways Discovery Series runs over four virtual sessions and two in-person days. District teams will see strong manufacturing and engineering pathways in action. Employers and college partners helped design the Pathways Discovery Series.
The Pathways Discovery Series is free and optional. It is not required to apply for the RFP. However, the sessions will help teams prepare a more competitive application. Teams can come to as many sessions as they like. Concept papers will be due December 1, 2026, after the virtual sessions and Discovery Day. Instructions will be released at the first virtual session and online on October 27, 2026.
“I’m most excited about the idea of being on the cutting edge of a growing industry in the United States.”
9th grade student
Tri-State STEM+M, South Point, Ohio
Grant Competition (2026–2027 Cohort)
The Manufacturing Pathways Program will award up to $1.5 million to 10 Ohio districts or consortia to launch advanced manufacturing and engineering pathways.
How to Apply
Early November 2026Full application released
November 17, 2026, 1:00–2:00 PMProposal Information Session: Register for the full Pathways Discovery Series.
December 1, 2026Concept papers due (optional): Short answers on why the district or school wants a pathway, which students it will serve, which pathways are already in place and which credentials it might offer. Applicants who submit a concept paper will receive feedback from Battelle Education before applying for the full RFP.
January 15, 2027Applications due: Link released by Nov. 17.
January 25–February 19, 2027Proposal review and interviews: Applicants may be asked for clarification or an interview.
March 1, 2027Awards announced
What’s Funded
Grants of approximately $150,000 each help 10 sites launch or expand pathway programs.
Beyond the funding, each district will get implementation support, curriculum guidance, marketing resources, and connections to college and industry partners.
Funded districts will also meet with the other sites throughout the year as a community of practice.
Who Can Apply
Commitments
Funded districts will:
Full requirements will be in the application.
Ready to explore a manufacturing pathway?
Register for the Pathways Discovery Series. Teams will hear from Ohio schools already running pathways, meet employers and college partners, and plan their concept papers, due December 1.
Case Studies
Manufacturing Pathways Pilot
Ohio manufacturers need more than 30,000 technicians every year. With major investments from Intel, Honda, LG Energy Solution, Ford, and SEMCORP reshaping…
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