Grants for State governments - Workforce Development

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), through its Office of Adult Career Pathways (ACP), is offering the Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA) Competitive Grant for State Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. The ACP supports Minnesotans facing barriers to employment by funding workforce training, wrap-around services, and educational programs that prepare individuals for family-sustaining wages, with a focus on eliminating racial disparities and increasing access to high-growth, high-wage jobs. This competitive grant program aims to encourage and assist women in entering high-wage, high-demand, and nontraditional occupations, particularly in skilled trades and STEM fields, thereby increasing representation and economic security for women. Funding totals $1.5 million statewide, with applicants eligible for up to $125,000 per year, or $250,000 total over the two-year period. Awards will be evenly split between SFY 2026 and SFY 2027. Funding must support activities aligned with WESA objectives, including recruitment, preparation, placement, and retention of women in nontraditional occupations; training and education; innovative outreach to girls and women; employer incentives; technical assistance; and supportive services such as childcare and transportation. Target populations include women of color, girls of color aged 16–17, women over 50, and low-income women, with priority given to programs serving women of color. Programs must focus on occupations meeting Minnesota’s high-wage, high-demand criteria or U.S. Department of Labor definitions for nontraditional careers for women. Eligible applicants include community-based organizations, employers, labor unions, business or trade associations with 501(c)(6) status, secondary and postsecondary institutions, workforce and economic development agencies, registered apprenticeship programs, and state, local, or Tribal governments. All applicants must have a Minnesota physical location open to the public, be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State, and—if nonprofit—hold a recognized tax-exempt designation and be in good standing with the IRS. Each organization may submit one proposal as primary grantee but may partner on other proposals. Applicants must be able to comply with DEED administrative requirements, use Workforce One for participant tracking, and follow applicable state and federal regulations. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF via email to ACPgrants.deed@state.mn.us with the subject “WESA Application – [organization name].” The deadline is 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Required forms include the cover sheet, narrative responses, work plan, budget, partnership chart and letters of support, conflict of interest disclosures, unemployment insurance account consent, nonprofit financial documents if applicable, and other attestations. Questions must be submitted in writing to Sarah Lee at sarah.lee@state.mn.us by August 21, 2025. DEED hosted an informational webinar on July 16, 2025, and recorded technical assistance sessions are available online. Proposals will be scored on a 100-point scale across seven categories: organizational capacity and experience, program description, implementation work plan, outreach and engagement, partnerships, performance and evaluation, and budget capacity. Reviewers will include DEED staff and community experts in workforce development, education, and relevant industries. Awards are expected to be announced October 8, 2025, with the grant term running from the date of execution through June 30, 2027. Grantees are expected to participate in onboarding, quarterly engagement sessions, evaluation activities, and monitoring visits, and to submit regular performance and financial reports. DEED may offer partial awards to ensure equitable geographic and community distribution of funding. Performance metrics will include job placements, wages, retention, and credential attainment. The grant also carries administrative requirements such as competitive procurement for large purchases, compliance with affirmative action and non-discrimination laws, and retention of records for at least six years. Contact Sarah Lee, ACP Program Coordinator, at sarah.lee@state.mn.us or 651-259-7307 for further information.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to partnerships aimed at improving teacher preparation and effectiveness in high-need schools and educational agencies across the country.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies in California to create and expand service opportunities specifically for young men and boys, promoting their engagement in community service and personal development.

This grant provides financial support for academic training to develop qualified rehabilitation professionals in high-demand areas, such as vocational rehabilitation counseling, to address personnel shortages in services for individuals with disabilities.

This grant provides financial resources to state workforce agencies to effectively administer unemployment insurance programs and support claimants and employers during fiscal year 2026.

This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen healthcare services in rural New York communities by supporting collaborative networks among healthcare providers to improve access and quality of care for underserved populations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that deliver prevention, treatment, and recovery services for youth and young adults facing substance use disorders, particularly related to opioid use.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to rural healthcare organizations in Arizona to improve their operational efficiency, financial management, and capacity for delivering quality care to underserved communities.

This funding opportunity supports the establishment of a virtual research center led by a Director and Deputy Director to advance research and improve care for post-traumatic epilepsy, particularly benefiting military service members, veterans, and the general public.

This grant provides funding to various organizations and entities in California to promote innovation and sustainability in the forest products industry, supporting projects that enhance wood utilization and address workforce gaps.

This grant provides funding for DC-based individuals, community groups, and nonprofit organizations to create innovative public programs that showcase existing oral history collections and engage the local community.

This grant provides funding to K-12 public schools and educational entities in Illinois to improve access to computer science education for underserved students and enhance teacher training and resources.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Washington, D.C. area to promote economic independence through education and development initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for collaborative research projects between academic institutions in underfunded states and DOE National Laboratories, focusing on advancing energy-related scientific research while involving students and early-career researchers.

This funding opportunity provides U.S. state agencies with financial support and technical assistance to improve data integration and service delivery across health, human services, and workforce programs.

This funding opportunity provides up to $10,000 to Georgia state entities for innovative projects that reduce employee injuries and illnesses while also demonstrating potential cost savings in workers' compensation.

This program provides funding to educational institutions, flight schools, and organizations to develop training initiatives that address the national shortage of qualified pilots and unmanned aircraft systems operators.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois, to implement projects that enhance youth education, promote financial stability, and improve community health.

This funding opportunity supports projects that foster educational, cultural, and professional exchanges between the United States and Bulgaria, targeting nonprofit organizations, individuals, and educational institutions engaged in initiatives that promote democratic values, economic growth, and innovation.

This grant provides funding to organizations working to improve labor conditions in Mexico's key trade sectors, ensuring fair practices that benefit American workers and businesses.