Iowa Awards $250,000 in Grants to Boost 2026 Summer Youth Internships

Iowa Workforce Development Communications
For Immediate Release
Date: April 2, 2026
Contact: Jesse Dougherty
Telephone: 515-725-5487
Email: communications@iwd.iowa.gov

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Awarded programs will help Iowa’s youth gain valuable experience in several industries.

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa is announcing grant awards today for the 2026 Summer Youth Internship Program, jump-starting opportunities for Iowa’s youth to engage in high-demand careers this summer. Nine projects across the state will receive a total of $250,000 to help serve nearly 200 youth in valuable internship experiences across Iowa’s workforce.

The Summer Youth Internship Program focuses on internship programs in high-demand fields, supporting experiences in the workplace that can drive the development of promising career pathways while helping employers advance their future pipeline. 

“The programs supported by this year’s Summer Youth Internship Grant hail from several key industries, experiences, and locations – all designed to advance forward the careers of Iowa’s next generation,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “I applaud the work these programs are taking on to build meaningful opportunities in our workforce, and we’re excited to see how these awards will help accelerate and strengthen recruitment efforts for the summer.”

Awarded projects will offer internship opportunities in areas such as healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, and more. Programs are based in a high-demand occupation as determined by the state (view Iowa’s high-demand occupations list) and are focused on helping young Iowans who may face barriers to upward mobility in the labor market. Grant funds can be used for participant wages, compensation after program completion, training resources, program supplies and materials, and administrative costs.

2026 Summer Youth Internship Grant Awardees (View Awardee Map)

• Central Campus/Des Moines Independent Community School District (Des Moines) – $35,400
• Collins Asset Management Corp. dba DroneXperts (Elkader) – $30,500
• Geater Machining and Manufacturing (Independence) – $38,000
• Genesis Youth Foundation (Des Moines) – $18,000
• Homes of Oakridge Human Services, Inc. Dba Oakridge Neighborhood Services (Des Moines) – $30,000
• Innovate 120, Inc. (Maquoketa) – $24,600
• Kline Electric, Inc. dba Team Kline (Des Moines) – $26,000
• Ringgold County Hospital (Mount Ayr) –  $26,500
• St. Anthony’s Regional Hospital (Carroll) – $21,000

For more information on the grant and to view a full list of award summaries, visit Summer Youth Internship Program (Iowa Workforce Development).

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