The due date for Connecticut Higher Education Tech Talent Accelerator 2.0 applications is August 7, 2023.

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Objectives

TTA seeks to increase the supply of individuals with in-demand technology skills and credentials by accelerating efforts of Connecticut’s public and independent higher education institutions that:

  • Assist Connecticut workers to quickly acquire in-demand tech skills leading to jobs that provide family-sustaining wages;
  • Meet the growing demand for industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) related to critical areas such as data analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and automation;
  • Align postsecondary credential and degree programs to the digital knowledge, skills, and ability (KSA) requirements of Connecticut employers and technology-driven industries, including value-added hybrid skills;
  • Leverage transfer and articulation with Connecticut community colleges.
  • Increase the representation of diverse populations in high-demand, technology-related roles in Connecticut businesses.

Priority Areas

Applicants may submit a grant proposal that focuses on one or both of the following priority areas.

  • Priority Area 1 focuses on the development and/or implementation of short-term (6-12 week) postsecondary credential and certificate programs providing in-demand skills that are aligned with entry-level, technology-enabled jobs.
  • Priority Area 2 focuses on strategies to embed high-demand IRCs developed by global technology leaders (e.g., Google, IBM and Amazon) and industry-validated KSAs into existing postsecondary credential or degree programs to support graduates’ work readiness.

Technical Assistance

As part of TTA, higher education institutions have access to the combined expertise of the New England Board of Higher Education and Business-Higher Education Forum to develop competitive, industry-aligned proposals. During the proposal development process, applicants may contact NEBHE-BHEF for assistance that includes:

  • Access to regionally tailored labor market data including metrics on job openings in tech fields, top employers of tech talent, and required credentials in digital skills job postings.
  • Identification of prospective business partners and industry subject matter experts (SMEs) for technical assistance in developing proposals.
  • Access to experts from Google, Amazon Web Services, IBM, and from Connecticut companies to better understand the knowledge and skill requirements, industry recognized credentials, badge or credential design or training for faculty or students.
  • Provision of curriculum mapping tools, models, and case studies.
  • Feedback on proposal concepts.

For applicants selected to join the TTA grantee cohort, this technical assistance will continue to be available throughout program implementation.

Eligibility

We invite Connecticut four-year independent and public institutions to apply for TTA grants and become part of this phase in this partnership to increase the high-tech skills of Connecticut students and residents, ultimately increasing the competitiveness of the state’s businesses and higher education institutions.

Available Funds

  • Up to 13 institutions will be awarded. Budget proposal should range between $30,000 to $50,000 per application.
  • Successful grants will propose projects for implementation in six to 12 months after grants have been awarded

* Complete the TTA Template Budget and then submit it on our online application submission system linked above.

Fund Use

Awarded grant funds can be used for:

  • Faculty and/or staff stipends to update and/or develop curricula and instructional materials related to programs, courses, curricula, support resources, credentials, and certificates;
  • Course, credential or certificate start-up and implementation costs, including funds to offset fees for students related to IRC assessments;
  • Internal and external convenings with employers or other partners to support program planning and implementation;
  • Support for faculty or staff to attend professional development related to the proposed project;
  • Qualified consultants;
  • Project staff travel;
  • Other costs related to grant planning, credential development and implementation.

Note: Indirect costs are not allowed. New grantees may not commence grant activities until the receipt of a grant award letter and the completion of a grant agreement.

Award Criteria

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Successful grant proposals will include adequate consideration of the following:

  • Clear statement of proposed measures of outcomes and impact;
  • Current labor market data demonstrating demand for, and future relevance of, the proposed certificate, credential, course, or programmatic innovation;
  • A strong commitment from at least one local business partner, such as provision of subject-matter expertise to inform curriculum development, hiring commitments, internship alignment, or other partnership activities represented through a letter of support;
  • The integration of an IRC into a credit-bearing degree or credential program;
  • Potential scalability of proposed activities;
  • Evidence of how the proposed course, credential, certificate, or program activity connects to further programs or credentials, supports stackability, transfer of credits, and clearly aligned degree pathways;
  • Ability to leverage other federal, state, institutional or other support.

Grant Timeline

  • June 12, 2023 – Tech Talent Accelerator Informational Webinar
  • August 7, 2023 – Proposals due
  • October 1, 2024 – Grant end date