Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 7: A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border Regions
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- FOA-ETA-26-23
- Agency
-
Employment and Training Administration
Department of Labor
- Applications due
- Award size
- $2,000,000 to $8,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Employment, Labor and Training
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- City/Township Governments
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Other
- Independent School Districts
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- State Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- County Governments
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
-
- Shanell McNamee worc7_foa-eta-26-23@dol.gov
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration is soliciting applications for Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 7, a $49.2 million grant initiative funding large-scale regional industry and sector partnerships in the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border regions, with applications due July 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. No cost share or matching funds are required, though applicants are encouraged to contribute leveraged resources.
Eligible applicants include state and local governments, public and private higher education institutions, workforce development boards, industry and employer associations, labor-management organizations, Native American tribal entities (federally recognized and non-federally recognized), and nonprofit organizations operating within WORC regions. The Department expects to award 6 to 24 grants ranging from $2 million to $8 million per award. The period of performance runs 36 months beginning October 1, 2026.
Applicants must establish large-scale regional industry and sector partnerships with minimum participants: at least three employer representatives per sector, one workforce development entity, and one education and training provider. Priority sectors are skilled trades and construction, health care, information technology, manufacturing, domestic energy production, and business and professional services. All participants must enroll in occupational skills training leading to industry-recognized postsecondary credentials and include work-based learning components such as on-the-job training, pre-apprenticeships, or Registered Apprenticeship programs. Up to 10 percent of grant funds may supplement leveraged supportive services.
Merit review scoring weights program design (30 points), statement of need and sector partnership and industry engagement (20 points each), organizational capacity (20 points), and expected outcomes (10 points). Grantees must track four key performance measures: total participants trained, participants completing training, participants entering Registered Apprenticeships, and participants entering training-related employment. The program operates under CFDA 17.280 (WIOA Dislocated Worker National Reserve Demonstration Grants).
Synopsis
The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative Round 7 is a partnership between the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and three regional commissions-the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), and the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). WORC 7 will address the critical workforce needs of employers in high-growth and emerging industries across the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border regions (WORC regions). Questions regarding this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) may be emailed to worc7_foa-eta-26-23@dol.gov. We encourage prospective applicants and interested parties to use the Grants.gov subscription option to register for future updates provided for this particular FOA.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| WORC7 FAQ v.6-12-26.pdf | ||
| Financial System Risk Assessment -fillable 8.17.23.pdf | ||
| WORC7 FOA-ETA-26-23.pdf |
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