Career Ready: California Agricultural CTE Equipment Grant Overview

Sarah Murphy
Jul 1
4 min read

California’s future in agriculture depends on the students learning today. The 2025–26 Agricultural Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (ACTEIG) supports this future by helping school districts upgrade the tools and resources in their high school agricultural education programs. With over $6 million in funding available, this grant helps districts build stronger pathways to careers in one of the state’s most vital industries: agriculture.

What the Grant Supports

The ACTEIG grant is focused on one clear goal: improving the quality of agricultural education through equipment upgrades. For this grant, “equipment” includes any non-salary item of expenditure. That might include greenhouses, soil testing kits, hydroponic systems, lab tools, small engines, and more—anything that gives students more hands-on, relevant experiences aligned with modern agricultural careers.

To be eligible, a local educational agency (LEA) must operate an approved agricultural career technical education program in a secondary school. While Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROCP) are not eligible on their own, their classes can count toward funding if they’re integrated into a school site’s total agricultural program.

An application must be submitted for each school site, though districts with multiple schools can submit a consolidated package.

Award Amount and Deadline

California has allocated $6,134,000 in total funds for this year’s ACTEIG program. There is no set minimum or maximum award amount per school.

Application Deadline: July 15, 2025

Each site must submit its own application to be considered.

The Importance of a Needs Assessment

ERI conducts a needs assessment first to determine eligibility. This is a required step before proceeding with any application.

This step ensures we understand the current state of your agricultural program, what equipment is most needed, and how those upgrades align with both student needs and funding priorities. Whether your school is starting to build an ag program or strengthening a well-established one, our process starts with asking the right questions and gathering the right data.

What the Grant Can Mean for California Communities

Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of California’s economy and cultural identity. For many rural and suburban communities, school-based agricultural education offers more than technical training but a lifeline to opportunity. This grant can help students build real-world skills while connecting families, teachers, and industry leaders in powerful ways.

With new equipment, students can work on modern tools that mirror what they’ll encounter in real workplaces. This means a smoother transition from classroom to career, and more students staying engaged because the learning feels real and meaningful.

Here’s what this grant could make possible:

Access to up-to-date tools, lab stations, or field equipment that reflect real agricultural practices
Expanded CTE programs that lead to certifications, internships, or job placement
Stronger school-industry partnerships that bring guest speakers, mentors, and hands-on projects
A boost in student engagement, especially for learners who thrive in applied, project-based environments
Community pride and support for local agricultural pathways

When students see their school investing in their future—and when that investment pays off in career readiness—every part of the community benefits.

ERI’s Role in the Process

woman working on laptop, with documents on a table - California Agricultural CTE Equipment Grant

At Educational Research Institute (ERI), we’ve helped schools across the country secure millions in grant funding. We understand that strong programs start with strong proposals, and we’re here to support every step of that journey—from the first assessment to the final submission.

Our process starts with listening. We want to know what your ag program looks like, what tools or resources you need, and how this funding would move your work forward. From there, we take care of the rest.

Here’s what working with ERI looks like:

Consultation: We begin with a detailed conversation to understand your goals and existing CTE infrastructure.
Research: We make sure the grant aligns with your program’s strengths and vision for growth.
Writing and Development: Our team of professional writers crafts a compelling, tailored proposal that reflects your school’s story and student needs.
Review and Compliance: We double-check every requirement and ensure your application is strong, clear, and complete.
Submission Support: We handle logistics, keep an eye on deadlines, and follow up with any needed documentation.

What sets us apart is our contingency-based model. You don’t pay upfront. We only succeed when you do. That’s how we’ve maintained a success rate of 78–80% over two decades of work in 23 states.

Every district we work with is different, and we treat them that way. Whether you’re in a small, rural high school or a multi-site district with multiple ag programs, we tailor our support to match your needs. That personalized approach, backed by over 23 years of grant writing success, is what makes us a trusted partner.

Planning Ahead

Preparing a strong application takes time. Even with ERI’s help, the best results come when schools are proactive. Here are a few ways to prepare now:

Start conversations early with your CTE and agriculture staff to identify the most pressing equipment needs
Review your current program inventory to document what you already have and where gaps exist
Talk to your students about what tools or projects they’d like to see added to the program
Pull together previous funding or grant documents that might be helpful during the application
Plan for sustainability by thinking through how you’ll maintain or expand the equipment after the initial investment

Grants like ACTEIG are about more than just money. They’re about showing funders that your school is ready to make the most of the opportunity, and that starts with clear goals and a thoughtful plan.