Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2018 ACF ORR ZM 1224
The Refugee Career Pathways (RCP) Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program is designed to help refugees move into stable, higher-quality employment by supporting them in obtaining or re-establishing the licenses and professional certifications they need to work in their fields or enter new career tracks. The core goal is improved self-sufficiency through career advancement, especially for individuals whose prior education or professional experience may not transfer easily into U.S. credentialing systems without targeted support.
Funded projects are expected to provide hands-on, career-focused services that address common barriers refugees face when trying to enter licensed or credentialed occupations. Allowable activities include individualized case management to guide participants through complex credentialing steps, training and technical assistance to help them navigate exams and requirements, specialized English language training that is tailored to professional contexts, and mentoring that connects participants with experienced professionals who can offer guidance and networking support. In addition to services, grantees may offer financial assistance to cover practical expenses tied to credentialing, such as costs for obtaining educational credits, paying fees, or enrolling in required certification or licensing programs. A key emphasis is helping participants move efficiently from arrival and initial resettlement into sustainable career pathways that match their skills and lead to better long-term economic outcomes.
The opportunity encourages applicants to build strong partnerships with organizations that have relevant expertise and influence in credentialing and workforce development. This includes collaborating with professional associations, colleges and universities, and other specialized entities that can help participants access training, understand industry standards, and connect to real employment opportunities. ORR specifically notes that these projects should supplement existing refugee services rather than replace them, meaning applicants should demonstrate how their program fills gaps, adds specialized capacity, or extends support beyond what is already available through typical resettlement or employment programs.
This grant was released under Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2018-ACF-ORR-ZM-1224 and is associated with CFDA 93.576 (Income Security and Social Services). The funding instrument is a grant, and ORR anticipated making about 12 awards, with an award ceiling of $250,000 per award. Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities (excluding institutions of higher education for the nonprofit categories listed). Applications were required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date listed in the notice (originally August 29, 2017), reflecting standard federal submission rules and strict deadline compliance.Apply for HHS 2018 ACF ORR ZM 1224
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ORR in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Refugee Career Pathways Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.576.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 30, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 29, 2017 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Refugee Career Pathways (RCP) Program Grant FAQs
What is the Refugee Career Pathways (RCP) Program grant?
The Refugee Career Pathways (RCP) Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). It supports projects that help refugees move into stable, higher-quality employment by assisting them in obtaining or re-establishing professional licenses and certifications needed to work in their fields or to enter new career tracks.
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
The opportunity is offered by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
What is the main goal of the RCP Program?
The core goal is improved self-sufficiency through career advancement. The program focuses on helping refugees overcome credentialing barriers so they can enter or re-enter licensed or credentialed occupations that align with their skills and lead to better long-term economic outcomes.
Who is the program intended to help?
The program is designed to help refugees, especially individuals whose prior education or professional experience may not transfer easily into U.S. credentialing systems without targeted support.
What kinds of services are expected under funded projects?
Funded projects are expected to deliver hands-on, career-focused services that address common barriers to entering licensed or credentialed occupations. Allowable activities include individualized case management, training and technical assistance related to exams and credentialing requirements, specialized professional-context English language training, and mentoring that provides guidance and networking support.
Is individualized case management an allowable activity?
Yes. Individualized case management is specifically listed as an allowable activity to help participants navigate complex credentialing steps.
Can projects include training or technical assistance for licensing and certification requirements?
Yes. The opportunity allows training and technical assistance designed to help participants navigate credentialing requirements, including exams and related steps.
Is specialized English language training allowed?
Yes. Specialized English language training tailored to professional contexts is an allowable activity.
Can grantees provide mentoring and networking support?
Yes. Mentoring that connects participants with experienced professionals who can provide guidance and networking support is an allowable activity.
Can grant funds be used to provide financial assistance to participants?
Yes. In addition to services, grantees may offer financial assistance for practical expenses tied to credentialing, such as costs for obtaining educational credits, paying fees, or enrolling in required certification or licensing programs.
What types of participant expenses are mentioned as examples of allowable financial assistance?
Examples include costs associated with obtaining educational credits, paying fees, or enrolling in required certification or licensing programs.
What is ORR emphasizing about the transition from resettlement to employment?
A key emphasis is helping participants move efficiently from arrival and initial resettlement into sustainable career pathways that match their skills.
Are partnerships encouraged in this program?
Yes. The opportunity encourages applicants to build strong partnerships with organizations that have expertise and influence in credentialing and workforce development.
What kinds of partner organizations are specifically encouraged?
Examples include professional associations, colleges and universities, and other specialized entities that can help participants access training, understand industry standards, and connect to real employment opportunities.
Does ORR want these projects to replace existing refugee services?
No. ORR notes that funded projects should supplement existing refugee services rather than replace them. Applicants are expected to show how the project fills gaps, adds specialized capacity, or extends support beyond typical resettlement or employment programs.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HHS-2018-ACF-ORR-ZM-1224.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.576 (Income Security and Social Services).
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
How many awards were anticipated?
ORR anticipated making about 12 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $250,000 per award.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities, excluding institutions of higher education for the nonprofit categories listed).
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible, including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities (with the noted exception that the nonprofit categories listed exclude institutions of higher education).
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations are included among eligible applicants.
Are local governments and school districts eligible?
Yes. State, county, and city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted electronically.
What was the application deadline time requirement?
Applications were required to be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date listed in the notice.
What closing date is mentioned for this opportunity?
The notice references a closing date originally listed as August 29, 2017.
How strict is the deadline for submission?
The opportunity reflects standard federal submission rules and notes strict deadline compliance, meaning applications needed to be submitted by the stated deadline.
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| Native Youth Initiative for Leadership, Empowerment, and Development (I-LEAD) Apply for HHS 2018 ACF ANA NC 1341 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF ANA NC 1341 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ANA Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance Apply for HHS 2018 ACF ANA NL 1342 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF ANA NL 1342 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ANA Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion Apply for HHS 2018 ACF ANA NB 1343 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF ANA NB 1343 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ANA Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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| The National Eldercare Locator Apply for HHS 2018 ACL AOA EEIR 0279 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACL AOA EEIR 0279 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,563,144 |
| Early Head Start Grantee - The City of Hobe Sound, Florida Apply for HHS 2018 ACF OHS CH R04 1335 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF OHS CH R04 1335 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $483,446 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee - Kings County, New York Apply for HHS 2018 ACF OHS CH R02 1285 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF OHS CH R02 1285 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $7,062,477 |
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| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee - New York, New York (Northern Manhattan, Washington Heights, West Harlem, Lower East Side, and Chinatown) Apply for HHS 2018 ACF OHS CH R02 1319 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF OHS CH R02 1319 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $4,997,872 |
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| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee - Central Los Angeles, in Los Angeles County, California Apply for HHS 2018 ACF OHS CH R09 1289 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF OHS CH R09 1289 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $912,928 |
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