Funding Opportunities


Grant Topics

Current Notice of Funding Opportunities

Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship NOFO 2023

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) sets forth the requirements for funding pre-apprenticeship programs as specified by the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act ("Illinois Works Act"), 30 ILCS 559/20-1.  It is in the public policy interest of the State of Illinois (the "State") to ensure that all Illinois residents have access to State capital projects and careers in the construction industry and building trades, including those who have been historically underrepresented in those trades.

Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program NOFO 2023

This Notice of Funding Opportunity sets forth the requirements for funding for the Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (20 ILCS 730/5-20) and the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program (20 ILCS 730/5-30), as specified by the Energy Transition Act as part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, PA 102-662 (“Climate and Equitable Jobs Act” or “CEJA”). 

Energy Transition Navigators Program NOFO 2023

This Notice of Funding Opportunity sets forth the requirements for funding for the Energy Transition Navigators Program as specified by the  Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA, Public Act 102-0662). The Energy Transition Navigators Program will provide outreach and recruitment for the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. Navigator Teams will partner with organizations that manage the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program and the Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program in their region, once they have been selected, to coordinate outreach and recruitment activities. Navigator Teams will also engage with local employers, industry leaders, unions and more to help facilitate job placement and identify training needs. 

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Recent Funding Opportunities

For a listing of previous funding opportunities, visit this page.

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About

At various times throughout the year the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Employment and Training (OET) will solicit applications for projects to help us advance our mission.  Generally, funding for these initiatives will utilize federal funds from the U.S. Department of Labor under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, but other sources of funding may be available. The OET will issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) asking organizations to respond.  The NOFO is typically for a specific activity that is linked to the priorities of the State of Illinois Unified Workforce Plan.  Each NOFO will include detailed instructions for submitting an application.  These funding opportunities are limited to public and private organizations that are in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State.  DCEO selects the organizations whose responses best meets the evaluation criteria outlined in the solicitation.  

Anyone wishing to apply under one of these NOFOs must pre-qualify through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, www.grants.illinois.gov. During pre-qualification, Dun and Bradstreet verifications are performed including a check of Debarred and Suspended status and good standing with the Secretary of State. The pre-award process also includes a financial and administrative risk assessment utilizing an Internal Controls Questionnaire.

To receive additional information on Notice of Funding Opportunities subscribe to the Bidders List by filling out the subscription form for the email list.

​Search for Grant Opportunities throughout Illinois with the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Search.


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