FY27 Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grants

The Brownfields Job Training Grants program is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency through its Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization. The program is designed to strengthen local economies and environmental outcomes by funding training programs that prepare unemployed and underemployed individuals for careers in environmental remediation and related fields. The initiative aligns with federal priorities around environmental cleanup, workforce development, and community revitalization, particularly in areas impacted by hazardous waste, brownfield sites, and economic disinvestment. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to recruit, train, and place local residents into environmental jobs that support the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites. Training programs funded under this opportunity may include instruction in hazardous waste management, environmental sampling, site remediation, stormwater management, green infrastructure, and related technical skills. A mandatory component of all training programs is the 40 hour HAZWOPER certification, ensuring participants meet federal safety standards required for hazardous work environments. Programs are expected to be demand driven and aligned with local labor market needs, with strong employer engagement and job placement strategies. Funding under this opportunity is expected to total between five million and six million dollars, with up to twenty awards anticipated. Individual applicants may request up to three hundred thousand dollars for projects lasting up to three years. Funds may be used for a range of allowable costs including instructor salaries, curriculum development, training materials, participant support such as transportation or childcare, and job placement services. Administrative costs are limited to five percent of the total award, and participant support costs, including stipends, may not exceed forty percent of the award. Cost sharing is not required, and voluntary cost sharing is not permitted under this program. Eligible applicants include a broad range of public and nonprofit entities such as state and local governments, federally recognized tribes, nonprofit organizations including those with 501c3 status, regional councils, redevelopment agencies, and certain community development entities. Coalitions are permitted, with one lead entity applying on behalf of partners. Individual participants in training programs must be at least eighteen years old, legally authorized to work in the United States, and typically reside in communities affected by environmental contamination or economic hardship. The program emphasizes inclusion of high need populations, including low income individuals, veterans, and those facing barriers to employment. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes standard federal forms, a detailed narrative, budget information, and supporting documentation such as partnership letters and a milestone schedule. Applicants must demonstrate community need, describe their training program and curriculum, provide a detailed budget, outline partnerships, and explain anticipated outcomes. Evaluation criteria focus on community impact, program design, partnerships, leveraging of resources, and organizational capacity. Applications must clearly demonstrate alignment with local labor demand and include employer commitments to hire program graduates. Key dates for the current funding cycle include an application deadline of September 23, 2026, with anticipated selection notifications in December 2026 and award notifications in May 2027. The program operates on a competitive basis, and awards are issued as cooperative agreements, meaning the EPA maintains involvement in project oversight and performance. The project period may extend up to three years, during which recipients must report on outputs such as number of trainees, certifications earned, and job placements. Overall, the Brownfields Job Training Grants program represents a strategic federal investment in both environmental restoration and workforce development. By linking job training directly to environmental cleanup activities, the program supports sustainable community revitalization while creating pathways to stable employment for individuals in underserved areas. Recipients are expected to build strong partnerships, deliver high quality training, and achieve measurable employment outcomes that contribute to long term economic and environmental benefits.

Align training with local employer demand; secure hiring commitments from employers; clearly demonstrate community need with data; ensure strong partnerships and measurable placement outcomes