Building the Future Workforce Challenge

In May 2026, the Building the Future Workforce Challenge was launched to identify, test, and scale sustainable, tech-forward solutions that will strengthen the advanced manufacturing and technician workforce—today and for the future. This challenge welcomes fresh perspectives on training from various sectors and geographies and will award up to five teams $1 million each to implement their bold solutions over a maximum two-year project period. Winning solutions will have the opportunity to be implemented in Caterpillar facilities and Caterpillar communities—providing a testing ground for introduction, replication, and scale.

Note: The testing, evaluation, monitoring and/or assessing the feasibility, viability or implementation potential of winning solutions will occur in select Caterpillar facilities or Caterpillar communities. Applicants will identify their preferred locations on the registration and application forms.

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The Building the Future Workforce Challenge requires each applicant to identify a Lead Organization who will assume responsibility for the receipt and management of any award.

While Lead Organizations may be located anywhere around the world, teams must demonstrate the ability to implement their proposed solutions within the continental United States, Brazil, India, or Mexico. The following types of organizations are eligible to apply as a Lead Organization:

• For-profit, limited liability company or partnership
• Non-profit or fiscally-sponsored non-profit (including 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) entities)
• College or university
• PreK-12 public, private, or charter school Note: If awarded, solutions led by educational entities should implement their proposed solution at more than one school and should not be limited to serving only that Lead Organization.
• Benefit corporation, flexible purpose entity, or similar “hybrid” entity

Eligible Lead Organizations are welcome to collaborate with non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, foundations, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, government agencies, individuals, and other entities to implement the proposed solution. Review the Rules for a complete set of eligibility requirements and take the readiness quiz to help gauge if you are eligible and a strong fit for this challenge.

The following are not eligible to participate or apply as a Lead Organization:

• Government entities, including non-501(c)(3) preK-12 education entities, tribal governments, United Nations agencies, inter-governmental bodies, and regional cooperation agencies.
• Current Caterpillar Foundation or Caterpillar Inc. Social Impact Fund awardees.
• Individuals, including employees of Competition Sponsor, Carrot, and any of their subsidiaries and affiliates, and immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they live) or persons living in the same households of such employees.

Review the Rules for a complete set of eligibility requirements and take the readiness quiz to help gauge if you are eligible and a strong fit for this challenge.

Past Caterpillar Foundation or Caterpillar Inc. Social Impact Fund awardees are eligible to serve as a Lead Organization and/or as part of a team. Please be sure to note any past work with Caterpillar Foundation or Caterpillar Inc. in responses within your application, such as under Track Record & Capabilities or Other Considerations.

Current Caterpillar Foundation or Caterpillar Inc. Social Impact Fund awardees are not eligible to participate.  

Eligible Lead Organizations are welcome to collaborate with other nonprofit organizations, companies, foundations, schools, colleges and universities, government agencies, individuals, and other entities to develop and implement the solution. By listing a collaborator, the Lead Organization confirms they have conducted due diligence on any partner organizations included in the application and takes accountability for the disbursement and management of any subgrants should the Lead Organization receive an award from Building the Future Workforce Challenge.

Organizations proposing to work together may be asked to provide a fully executed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or a similar agreement, signed by all participating organizations. This agreement must demonstrate that all parties acknowledge that a single eligible entity (the Lead Organization) serves as the Winner, with full direction, control, and supervision of the proposed project, including the management of all Award funds and responsibility for all reporting requirements. This MOU will not be collected during the application process but may be requested from teams that are selected as awardees.

The Building the Future Workforce Challenge aims to identify, test, and scale innovative, sustainable solutions that will address today’s and tomorrow’s advanced manufacturing and industry technician skill gaps. A core requirement of any solution is that it remains relevant amid evolving technology—ensuring that breakthrough innovation and human potential rise together.

Strong proposals for Building the Future Workforce Challenge will meet four criteria outlined in the scoring rubric, and proposed solutions must focus on one or more of the following solution categories for Building the Future Workforce Challenge:

• Build interest and awareness of advanced manufacturing and industry technician careers: Shift perceptions among students, teachers, parents, and/or other key influencers by showcasing the opportunities available in modern manufacturing and technician careers
• Prepare new workforce entrants for “day one” success: Implement flexible, sustainable solutions that keep pace with technology and industry needs, enabling learners to arrive job‑ready and increasing the likelihood of retention
• Upskill and reskill the current manufacturing and industry technician workforce: Expand career pathways and mobility by implementing flexible, sustainable solutions that keep pace with technology, enabling current employees to build new technical and leadership capabilities

Please review these Resources and take the readiness quiz to help gauge if you are eligible and a strong fit for this challenge.