Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC): A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian and Delta Regions | FOA ETA 22 13

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Grant (ETA-22-13) - FAQs

1) What is the WORC: A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian and Delta Regions?

The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC): A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian and Delta Regions is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA). It is the fourth round of WORC Initiative demonstration grants and is funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

2) What is the main purpose of this grant initiative?

The overall purpose is to support workforce development efforts tailored to rural communities specifically in the Appalachian and Delta regions. The initiative uses federal grant funding to test and expand approaches that connect people to employment, training, and education pathways aligned with local and regional economic needs.

3) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The grant opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

4) What kind of funding opportunity is this (grant vs. contract)?

This opportunity uses a grant instrument. That means funds are awarded to support approved project activities, rather than being issued as a contract for the procurement of goods or services.

5) Is this a demonstration grant program?

Yes. WORC is described as a demonstration grant program. Projects are generally expected to show practical, on-the-ground strategies that can produce measurable results, generate lessons learned, and potentially be replicated or scaled in other rural settings facing similar workforce challenges.

6) What regions does WORC focus on?

The initiative is specifically focused on rural communities in the Appalachian and Delta regions.

7) What types of activities does WORC aim to support?

WORC aims to support approaches that connect people to employment, training, and education pathways. These approaches should be aligned with local and regional economic needs in rural communities in the Appalachian and Delta regions.

8) What is the FOA number for this opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number is ETA-22-13.

9) What is the Assistance Listing/CFDA number?

The Assistance Listing/CFDA number is 17.280.

10) How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized as an education-related funding activity.

11) How much total funding is estimated to be available for this round?

ETA makes available an estimated total of about $34,200,000 for this round of the WORC Initiative.

12) Approximately how many awards does ETA expect to make?

ETA anticipates making approximately 30 awards.

13) What is the maximum (ceiling) amount per award?

The award ceiling is $1,500,000 per grant.

14) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes multiple types of public and private entities. Eligible applicants include:

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Other Native American tribal organizations
• Nonprofit organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits
• Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education)

15) Are nonprofit organizations eligible even if they are not 501(c)(3)?

Yes. Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are included as eligible applicants, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.

16) Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Both public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

17) Are tribal entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicants.

18) Does this opportunity encourage partnerships?

The eligibility structure supports a wide range of possible lead applicants and partnerships, including rural local governments, regional economic development and workforce entities, community-based organizations, and higher education providers that can deliver training or credentials.

19) When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on April 27, 2022.

20) What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was July 8, 2022.

21) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted electronically.

22) What time was the application deadline?

The deadline was no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date.

23) What does it mean that this is a discretionary grant opportunity?

Based on the description provided, this is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by DOL ETA. In this context, awards are made through a competitive grant process rather than by formula distribution.

24) What does WIOA have to do with this program?

The WORC Initiative demonstration grants are funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

25) What kinds of results are projects expected to demonstrate?

Because this is a demonstration grant program, projects are generally expected to produce measurable results, generate lessons learned, and show strategies that could be replicated or scaled in other rural communities facing similar workforce challenges.