The intrepid museum will create a workforce training program to prepare youth for careers in the aerospace industry

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the Intrepid Museum Foundation $1.511 million on September 1, 2026, under the National Leadership Grants program (CFDA 45.312) to create a workforce training program preparing youth for aerospace industry careers.

The Intrepid Sea-Air Space Museum will design and deliver hands-on aerospace career training activities and mentorship with current industry workers for participating youth, aligned with certification pathways and industry opportunities. The museum will partner with Cornell University's New York Consortium for Space Technology, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, Empire Space, and New York City Public Schools to develop the program. The museum will also convene workforce development institutions across the nation to inform program design, produce replicable models, and share findings through an online white paper and professional conference presentations. The program targets increased youth access to aerospace careers and strengthens the regional aerospace talent pipeline.

Place of performance is New York, New York. The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. National Leadership Grants support projects generating models, tools, research findings, services, practices, and alliances with potential for wide adaptation, scaling, or replication to extend and leverage federal investment benefits.

To align the program with certification pathways and industry opportunities, the museum will partner with cornell university's new york consortium for space technology, vaughn college of aeronautics and technology, empire space, and new york city public schools. The program will include hands-on activities and mentorship with current industry workers for the participating youth. The museum will convene institutions across the nation that provide workforce development learning to inform program design and produce replicable models and will share findings through an online white paper and present results at professional conferences. The program will result in increased youth access to aerospace careers and strengthen the regional aerospace talent pipeline.