Rapid Reskill Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants

The Rapid Reskill Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants are administered by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration as part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act framework. These grants are designed to respond to large-scale economic shifts, particularly those driven by technological advancement and reindustrialization priorities in the United States. The program is positioned within a broader federal strategy to strengthen domestic industries, including manufacturing, energy, construction, and advanced technology sectors, while ensuring that displaced workers are able to transition quickly into new employment opportunities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support innovative models that rapidly reskill and reemploy dislocated workers. The program emphasizes minimizing time out of the workforce by aligning training with immediate employer demand and placing participants into employment or paid work-based learning within six months of enrollment. Projects funded under this initiative must focus on high-wage, in-demand occupations and demonstrate alignment with labor market data and regional economic needs. The initiative also supports broader federal priorities such as strengthening supply chains, advancing artificial intelligence capabilities, and promoting workforce readiness for emerging industries. Funding is provided through discretionary grants awarded by the Secretary of Labor, with total program funding of approximately 50 million dollars. Individual awards range from 2000000 to 8000000 dollars. Funds may be used for a wide range of allowable activities, including career services, short-term training programs, work-based learning opportunities such as apprenticeships, and supportive services like transportation and childcare. Administrative costs are capped at 10 percent of the total award, and all expenditures must comply with federal cost principles under the Uniform Guidance. The performance period for each grant is 36 months, allowing sufficient time for program implementation, participant training, and outcome tracking. Eligible applicants include state governments, local workforce development boards, Indian and Native American program entities, and other organizations deemed appropriate by a state governor or capable of responding effectively to workforce dislocation events. Participants served under the program must meet eligibility requirements for dislocated workers, including individuals affected by layoffs, certain members of the Armed Forces, and workers at risk of displacement due to defense spending reductions. Veterans and eligible spouses receive priority of service under federal law. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several mandatory components such as the SF-424 application form, a detailed budget narrative, and documentation of partnerships and program design. Applicants must demonstrate strong employer partnerships, the ability to deliver rapid training and placement services, and the capacity to meet federal reporting requirements. Projects are evaluated based on responsiveness, technical merit, alignment with program goals, and the strength of proposed service delivery models. Applications for this funding opportunity are due by August 3, 2026, with awards expected to be made by September 30, 2026. The program does not indicate a recurring cycle and is tied to a specific qualifying economic event related to national workforce transformation. Selected grantees must meet ongoing performance reporting requirements, participate in federal evaluations, and document program outcomes to inform future workforce policy and investment decisions. For inquiries, applicants may contact the Department of Labor via the designated email channel for Dislocated Worker Grants.

Focus on employer partnerships and rapid placement within six months; align training with labor market demand; demonstrate reporting capacity