Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC): Grant Initiative for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border Regions

For program-related questions:
worc7_foa-eta-26-23@dol.gov

Grants.gov contact center:
800.518.4726
support@grants.gov
Self-service knowledge base

System for award management (SAM):
866.606.8220
Federal service desk

The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative offers grants for projects in the Appalachian, Lower Mississippi Delta, and Northern Border regions that will provide career training and support services to eligible individuals in eligible counties and parishes. Grants will support workforce development activities that prepare dislocated workers, new entrants to the workforce, and incumbent workers for good jobs in high-demand occupations aligned with a regional or community economic development strategy.

Priority industries include manufacturing, IT, healthcare, business, and energy.

Projects should provide customized support services that meet the specific needs of participating individuals, such as:

• Assistance with transportation, child or dependent care, or housing
• Tutoring
• Assistance with uniforms or other appropriate work attire and work-related tools, safety equipment, and other items
• Assistance with laptops or tablets, books, fees, school supplies, printing, and other necessary items for students enrolled in training, work-based learning, or other elements of the proposed grant project
• Payments and fees for employment and training-related applications, tests, professional dues, and certifications
• Needs-related payments that enable an individual to participate in education and training activities

Eligible applicants include:

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Independent school districts
• Public, state-controlled, and private institutions of higher education
• Indian/Native American Tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Indian/Native American Tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized)
• Nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) IRS status
• Higher Education Act of 1965 universities
• Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)

A detailed list of required partnerships is provided in the application instructions.

Award ceiling: $8,000,000
Award floor: $2,000,000
Project period: 3 years
Estimated number of awards: 15
Estimated total program funding: $49,200,000

Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov.