FAA Invests USD 26 Million in 2026 Aviation Workforce Development Grants for Pilot and Technician Training

USA – The US Department of Transportation has announced a USD 26 million FAA investment in Aviation Workforce Development Grants to develop the next generation of aviation professionals, funding training programs for pilots, maintenance technicians, and drone operators through grants available to flight schools, aviation organizations, air carriers, and other eligible entities.

• US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the investment on 18 May 2026, with funding directed toward aviation training programs to equip future pilots with technical skills, aviation apprenticeships and internships for hands-on experience, proactive student outreach to bolster recruitment, and training using state-of-the-art tools including simulators.
• The FAA's Aviation Workforce Development Grants are split into two categories: Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants funding efforts to educate and recruit students to become aircraft pilots or drone operators, and Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants supporting initiatives focused on educating and recruiting future aviation mechanics and maintenance technicians.
• Eligible applicants include schools, aviation organizations, aviation-related nonprofit organizations, air carriers, labor groups, and state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments. Applications must be submitted by 18 June 2026.
• The grants represent a direct funding mechanism for US Part 141 and Part 61 flight schools, collegiate aviation programs, and aviation training organizations to access federal resources for training infrastructure, simulator technology, apprenticeship programs, and student recruitment initiatives.
• The announcement comes as the FAA continues to implement provisions of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, including the Enhanced Qualification Program and Part 141 modernization, amid industry projections of sustained pilot and maintenance technician demand.

Statements

• "More Americans are flying today than ever before! At USDOT, we are investing in our aviation workforce to meet growing demand while maintaining the highest standards of safety. We have the safest airspace in the world thanks to our commitment to equipping our talented workforce with the tools and experience they need to take flight," said US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
• "More Americans are taking to the skies and demand for skilled aviation workers continues to grow. These new funding opportunities support education and training programs that help build a strong pipeline of talent and invest in the future of America's aviation workforce," said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.

Source: US Department of Transportation