Susan harwood training program 2025-2026 targeted training program

Northern Illinois University received a $950,000 block grant from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the Occupational Safety and Health Susan Harwood Training Grants program (CFDA 17.502), awarded on September 30, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2026. This targeted training program supports the development and delivery of occupational safety and health training and educational materials designed to help workers and employers recognize, avoid, and abate workplace hazards in high-hazard industries and industries with elevated fatality rates.

The grant funding enables Northern Illinois University to provide instructor-led training programs that prioritize reaching disadvantaged, underserved, and hard-to-reach worker populations, including young workers, temporary workers, minority workers, workers with limited English proficiency, and workers in small businesses facing barriers to occupational safety and health training access. As a comprehensive public research university with an established track record of federally funded educational and training initiatives, NIU will deliver training services aligned with OSHA-specified priorities and strategic emphasis areas, while maintaining comprehensive records and participating in data collection and impact evaluations to assess program effectiveness.