Grants / Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration

FOA-ETA-26-23: Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 7: A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border Regions

Closed Closed July 23, 2026 Opportunity FOA-ETA-26-23 ☆ Save

This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of Employment and Training Administration notices from 2026.

• Award ceiling$8.0 million
• Award floor$2.0 million
• Total funding$49.2 million
• Expected awards15
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeGrant

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments and tribes.

The only organizations included in "Others" referenced above are State and Local Workforce Development Boards, Industry and Employer Associations, Labor-Management Organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments (other than Federally recognized), and Indian/Native American tribal organizations (Federally recognized). See the Funding Opportunity for specific information on eligibility. Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply, as are all organizations. Those that meet the eligibility requirements may receive awards under this funding opportunity. DOL will not, in the selection of recipients and administration of the grant, discriminate on the basis of an organization's religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular organization.

More grants for nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes.

Is this a realistic fit?

• Past WIOA Dislocated Worker National Reserve Demonstration Grants awards averaged $2.1 million; this notice allows up to $8.0 million per award.
• Most of the program's money (53% over five years) went to nonprofits.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

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.

Category: Employment, Labor and Training.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.