BEAM Circular in Modesto, California, is a hub for the circular bioeconomy in California’s agricultural heartland, which aims to advance economic opportunity and environmental solutions.
BEAM Circular has issued a request for proposals for the Stanislaus County Bioeconomy Workforce Development Fund. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 will be awarded to develop and expand bioeconomy career exposure and training programs in Stanislaus County. The funding aims to accelerate the adoption of industry-relevant exposure programming across the county, support inclusive access to opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and strengthen local worker readiness for good jobs in bio-based manufacturing.
Grant funding must be used to build capacity and expand educational or training opportunities that support STEM success and career readiness among underserved and first-generation students, and/or develop bioeconomy-relevant skills and pathways to good jobs for local workers, including displaced individuals and those (re)entering the workforce. Grants may be used to develop or adopt curriculum, create paid internship and work-learning programs, offer hands-on training opportunities, launch career pathway programs, and/or support teacher/faculty professional development aimed at launching and expanding programs aligned with the bioeconomy sector…