Announcing the Catalyze Challenge Round 5 Phase 2 Awardees
Catalyze Challenge Announces 31 Awardees Advancing Bold Innovations in Career-Connected Learning
Today the Catalyze Challenge announced the 31 organizations selected to advance to Phase 2. This national initiative is investing over $4 million in early-stage innovations that expand access to high-quality career-connected learning for young people.
Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants across the United States, the awardees represent a diverse range of organizations testing bold new approaches to helping learners connect education to meaningful career pathways. These early-stage ideas focus on increasing access, strengthening employer engagement, and supporting students in developing the skills and experiences needed for long-term success.
“We are inspired by the creativity and commitment of organizations working to expand opportunity for young people. This cohort reflects the kind of bold, learner-centered innovation our field needs. Their ideas are grounded in real-world experiences and designed to help young people navigate and succeed in an evolving workforce.”
The Catalyze Challenge focuses on two priority areas:
Career Exploration for Young Adolescents, supporting immersive, hands-on experiences that help middle and high school students build self-awareness, agency, and career identity.
Meaningful Work-Based Learning through Employer Partnerships, supporting applied learning experiences co-designed with employers to align with workforce needs and student interests.
The selection was informed by a national network of reviewers, including educators, employers, workforce development practitioners, philanthropic partners, and young people. Together, these reviewers evaluated hundreds of applications, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise to identify the most promising innovations.
The selected organizations will now advance to Phase 2, where they will receive a $10,000 incubation award and participate in technical assistance from April through June 2026. During this phase, organizations will refine their models, strengthen implementation plans, and prepare submissions for Phase 3, where funding of up to $300,000 will be available to support implementation.
Phase 2 Incubation Awardees
Theme 1: Career Exploration for Young Adolescents
Theme 2: Meaningful Work-Based Learning through Employer Partnerships
The Catalyze Challenge is a collaborative funding initiative that brings together a diverse group of national funders to accelerate innovation in career-connected learning. Since its launch in 2021, Catalyze has supported organizations across the country in developing solutions that better prepare young people for the future of work. Catalyze Challenge Round 5 is made possible through the generous support of Britebound™, the Walton Family Foundation, the Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, and the Charles Koch Foundation.
For more information about the Catalyze Challenge and Round 5, visit: catalyzechallenge.org
