Susan Harwood Training Grant Program

The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration within the U.S. Department of Labor, is a long-standing federal initiative designed to improve workplace safety and health through education and training. Established in 1978 and later renamed in honor of Susan Harwood, the program provides competitive funding to eligible organizations to develop and deliver training programs that help workers and employers recognize, avoid, and prevent workplace hazards. The program reflects OSHA’s broader mission to ensure safe and healthful working conditions and prioritizes outreach to small businesses, high-hazard industries, and workers who face barriers to accessing safety training. For the FY 2026 funding cycle, OSHA has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Targeted Topic Training grants. These grants support instructor-led training programs that address no more than two OSHA-designated safety and health topics, which are selected annually based on workplace fatality data, national emphasis programs, and emerging risks. The program focuses on equipping participants with knowledge about hazard recognition, prevention strategies, worker rights, and employer responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Training must be accessible, understandable, and relevant to the targeted audience, with an emphasis on participatory learning and measurable outcomes. The total funding available for this funding cycle is approximately 12787000 dollars, with individual awards capped at 215000 dollars. Grants are awarded for a 12 month performance period beginning September 30 2026 and ending September 30 2027. While applicants may include voluntary non federal contributions, there is no mandatory cost sharing requirement. Funds must be used strictly for allowable program activities such as developing training materials, conducting outreach, and delivering training sessions. Certain uses are explicitly prohibited, including providing consultation services, compensating trainees, or supporting unrelated organizational activities. Eligibility for this program includes nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, OSHA approved State Plans, On Site Consultation programs, and OSHA Training Institute Education Centers. Applicants must demonstrate experience in occupational safety and health training, the ability to recruit and engage targeted audiences, and the capacity to manage federal grant funds. Individuals, for profit organizations, and certain government entities are not eligible. Each organization may receive only one award per fiscal year and must ensure that all proposed activities comply with federal regulations and program requirements. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and must include a comprehensive package of materials such as a technical proposal, budget narrative, organizational documentation, and required federal forms. Applicants must also be registered in the System for Award Management and ensure that all submissions meet formatting and completeness requirements. OSHA evaluates applications based on criteria including organizational capacity, quality of the work plan, training design, budget justification, and alignment with program priorities. A technical review panel assesses proposals, and final award decisions are made by the Assistant Secretary for OSHA. The application deadline for the FY 2026 funding opportunity is July 31 2026 at 1159 pm Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be announced before September 30 2026. The program operates on an annual cycle, with new funding opportunities released each fiscal year subject to congressional appropriations. Throughout the grant period, recipients are required to participate in orientation meetings, submit quarterly progress and financial reports, and provide final closeout documentation. OSHA also conducts monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure compliance and measure program impact. Applicants seeking additional information may consult the official program website or contact OSHA directly via the HarwoodGrants email address or program phone line. The detailed Notice of Funding Opportunity provides comprehensive guidance on application requirements, allowable costs, evaluation criteria, and compliance obligations, and serves as the primary reference for organizations preparing proposals.

Ensure compliance with formatting and completeness requirements; align training topics with OSHA priorities; demonstrate strong training capacity and measurable outcomes