CCIC and CAIA partnered with Connecticut’s Tech Talent Accelerator program, an innovative statewide initiative led by the Business-Higher Education Forum in partnership with the New England Board of Higher Education. The program was designed to catalyze higher education-business partnerships and create new tech talent pathways to high-demand industries.
With support from the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, the Business-Higher Education Forum and the New England Board of Higher Education launched the TTA 3.0 Innovation Grant RFP as the next phase of the Connecticut Tech Talent Accelerator.
Building on learnings from the program’s Pilot Grants, TTA 3.0 was designed to support new AI programs, partnerships, and pathways that align higher education with industry demand.
Innovation Grants were intended to enable Connecticut institutions to co-design and launch new AI programs with employers, using innovative delivery models to rapidly build both domain-specific AI expertise and durable, transferable skills. Priority was given to projects that:
- Expanded work-based learning models
- Were submitted by institutions located in Central or Western Connecticut
- Were submitted by CT State Community College campuses
Strong proposals were expected to demonstrate deep employer engagement, clear learner pathways, and the ability to enroll learners during the grant period. Institutions in Central and Western Connecticut, as well as CT State campuses, were particularly encouraged to apply.
Applications closed on June 12, 2026, and awardees will be announced in August 2026.
Grant Details
- Grant period: September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027
- Awards: Up to $75,000
More Information
Learn more about the Connecticut Tech Talent Accelerator and access program information on the Business-Higher Education Forum website.
Informational webinars about the TTA 3.0 Innovation Grant opportunity were held on:
- April 17, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- April 24, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
For questions or additional information, contact techtalentaccelerator@bhef.com.