Workforce Innovation Fund
The Department of Labor anticipates the next competition to have a fall 2013 deadline. The solicitation is expected to be released in the summer.
Grant: Workforce Innovation Fund
Agency: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Division: Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Deadline: The deadline was March 22, 2012.
Description: The Workforce Innovation Fund is one of several new federal grant programs in which grantor agencies fund projects that seek to use evidence to design program strategies. Grants made under the program will provide funding to states, local workforce areas, and federally recognized Indian tribes and Tribal organizations eligible to apply for WIA section 166 grants. The ETA believes that innovation at the systems level, where policies, organizational structures, planning processes and performance measurement reside, support service delivery strategies that result in better outcomes and lower costs.
In support of these goals, the Workforce Investment Fund seeks to support innovative approaches to changes in structures and policies that enable a closer alignment and integration of workforce development, education, human services, social insurance and economic development programs. Projects funded within this program strive to achieve not only better results for jobseekers and employers in the workforce system, but also greater efficiency in the delivery of quality services, and stronger cooperation across programs and funding streams.
In addition to projects that address better coordination, improve linkages between employment, trainings services, and labor market needs and those highlighting new procurement strategies, projects should also incorporate new uses of technology. Examples of technologically innovative projects include:
- Expanding the availability and quality of online job training, distance/blended learning, virtual case management and web-based career navigation tools.
- Leveraging social media, text messaging alerts and other technology to provide job-matching services to the unemployed.
- Leveraging social media and other Web 2.0 technologies to support strong networks among job seekers and employers and improve outreach and strategic communication.
Additionally, all applications must be submitted within three different project types. These include:
- New and Untested Ideas, including projects which are new or incorporate emerging structural and/or service delivery reform ideas that have been tried in limited circumstances (if at all), but are supported by strong logic models or data.
- Promising Ideas, including projects which address structural and/or service delivery reform ideas that have been implemented and tested previously, and the testing indicates some potential for success and that more rigorous evaluation is needed.
- Adapting Proven Ideas, including projects highlighting structural and/or service delivery projects that further develop ideas already supported or take supported ideas to a larger scale.
A more detailed list of project types and examples is found in the program notice.
Fit for public broadcasting: Within this solicitation, partnerships at all levels are strongly encouraged, especially those with community-based organizations, including public broadcasting stations. These organizations are key providers of basic skills training, technological skills training, supportive services and workforce development services in communities across the country. Public broadcasting stations have the means and experience to incorporate new technological innovation strategies which address a critical aspect of the Workforce Innovation Fund grant program.
Eligibility: Stations are strongly encouraged to partner with a lead applicant, including: state workforce agencies, local workforce investment boards and federally recognized Indian tribes and Tribal organizations eligible to apply for WIA Section 166 grants.
Anticipated Funding: The ETA estimates that approximately $98.5 million will be available to fund 20 to 30 grants. Individual grant amounts will range from $1 million to $12 million.
How to apply: Applications may be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or in hard copy by mail or hand delivery. Submission through Grants.gov requires registration, a process which can take time. Applicants are strongly advised to initiate the process as soon as possible.
Mailed applications must be addressed to:
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal Assistance
Attention: Donna Kelly, Grant Officer, Reference SGA/DFA PY 11-05
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N4716
Washington, DC 20210
Please note applicants wishing to submit a hard copy are also required to provide an identical electronic copy of the proposal on compact disc (CD).
Resources:
Program notice
DOL funding opportunities
Grants.gov applicant resources
Grant Applications 101: A Plain English Guide to ETA Competitive Grants
