Rev Up EV Initiative: Curriculum and Student Success Grant Program

The Illinois Community College Board is offering the Rev Up EV Initiative: Curriculum and Student Success through a state-funded Notice of Funding Opportunity for Illinois community colleges. The initiative supports Illinois' ongoing green economy efforts associated with the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act of 2021 and the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act of 2025. ICCB developed the initiative in collaboration with stakeholders including Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University and the Illinois Green Economy Network. The funding has two required objectives: supporting implementation, evaluation, and expansion of electric vehicle competency-based education competencies developed through the Rev Up EV initiative, and expanding wraparound student support services for students participating in Rev Up EV programming. All applications must address both objectives. The primary programmatic objective is development and implementation of competency-based education programming using the Electric Vehicle Competency-Based Education framework. Priority areas may include Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Electrical Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology, High Voltage Battery Technology, Automotive Technology, Software Development, programs aligned with industry certifications, and programs advancing EV charging infrastructure development and maintenance. Applicants should demonstrate a sound labor market basis for their selected program areas and their ability to accelerate training. Required activities include participation in the Illinois EV Network, expansion and implementation of the EV competency-based education framework, and provision of academic and non-academic supports to students enrolled in eligible programs. Allowable activities include aligning and contextualizing coursework; integrating basic, safety, and advanced training; creating non-credit short-term bridge training; expanding instructional models using virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and online modalities; peer coaching; high-touch advising and individualized career mapping; certification and license testing preparation; and career exploration activities for secondary and middle school students. Student support may address food insecurity, transportation, childcare, textbook access, financial literacy, tutoring, tools, uniforms, and other barriers to educational success. Allowable budget categories include Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual Services, Consultant Services, Training and Education, Other, Grant Exclusive Line Item, and Indirect Cost. Direct student support is to be categorized in the Grant Exclusive tab when applicable. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, and indirect costs are allowed without a grant-specific restriction, subject to the applicable negotiated or de minimis rate requirements. Eligible applicants are community colleges in the State of Illinois. Each college district may submit one application, and prior receipt of Rev Up EV funding is not required. Applicants may apply before completing GATA pre-qualification but cannot receive an award until pre-qualified. Applicable applicants must be registered in SAM, provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier, and maintain an active SAM registration while an award is active. Partnerships described in the narrative must include employers, high school districts or area career centers, labor organizations, and local workforce boards. Other potential partners include institutions of higher education, community-based organizations, adult education providers, and industry associations. Letters of Commitment are not required, although they can demonstrate industry and employer support. The application package consists of a completed GATA-Exempt Grant Application, an application narrative of no more than ten pages, and the required Uniform Budget materials. The narrative must address Project Implementation and Context, including regional context, prior Rev Up EV progress when applicable, and a program offerings chart; a Project Work Plan addressing EV Network participation, competency implementation, wraparound student supports, and other activities; anticipated Performance Metrics; Partnerships; and a Contingency Plan of no more than one page. The Uniform Budget spreadsheet must remain in Excel format, although the signed certification page may be uploaded as a PDF. Budget category totals entered into Euna must correspond to the Section A totals in the Uniform Budget. All required application information and attachments must be submitted through Euna; applications submitted outside Euna will not be accepted except where an alternate format is provided as a reasonable accessibility accommodation. Applications will undergo a merit-based review. ICCB staff will evaluate compliance with the requirements in the NOFO and the applicant's grant proposal, with grant awards and funding levels determined per application. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet all requirements described throughout the NOFO. Funded colleges must carry out their approved scope of work, report performance metrics, submit programmatic and fiscal reports quarterly, participate in required operational meetings or learning workshops including EV Network activities, and provide ICCB with copies of curriculum, documents, toolkits, modules, and other materials developed with grant funds. The NOFO was posted August 14, 2026, and applications are due through Euna by September 25, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. An optional bidder's conference and Euna system training is scheduled for August 26, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. Questions intended for the bidder's conference are due by close of business August 24, 2026, and general application questions must be submitted electronically to ICCB.cte@illinois.gov. The grant period is October 15, 2026 through December 31, 2027. ICCB anticipates up to 10 awards from total program funding of $2,500,000, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $350,000. The named agency contact is Dana Wynn-Stockert, Director for Clean Energy Programs, at dana.wynn@illinois.gov.

Address both required grant objectives and use the EV CBE framework; establish a sound labor market argument for selected high-demand programs; clearly delineate every required narrative section; align work-plan activities with accountability indicators; identify responsible personnel and timelines; demonstrate partnerships with employers, high school districts or area career centers, labor organizations, and local workforce boards; ensure the Euna budget matches Section A category totals; verify all required documents are complete because ICCB is not required to notify applicants of missing elements