Connecting Talent to Opportunity Challenge
Help strengthen the connections between learners, educators, training providers, and employers by fostering the development of integrated Talent Marketplaces.
Participating in the Connecting Talent to Opportunity Challenge helps strengthen connections between education stakeholders and develop Talent Marketplaces.
A Talent Marketplace is a public digital system maintained by a State Workforce Agency that helps connect people’s skills and credentials to education and job opportunities.
These digital, interconnected systems, maintained by an eligible recipient designated by the Governor, will support the recognition and use of learning, skills, and credentials across the education-to-employment continuum.
| Key information | |
|---|---|
| Sponsoring agency | U.S. Department of Education |
| Start date | 01/13/2026 8:00 AM ET |
| End date | 04/01/2028 8:00 PM ET |
| Challenge type | Ideation: focuses on generating new ideas or approaches to a problem |
| Prizes | Total cash prizes: $15,000,000 |
| Contact | team@cto-challenge.com |
Apply for the Connect Talent to Opportunity Challenge
These federal prize competitions are conducted pursuant to the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, as amended by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2017. For complete rules, eligibility requirements, and terms and conditions, please visit the hosting agency's competition page.
LAST UPDATED: March 5, 2026
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