NOAA opens $60M for the Climate Ready Workforce for Coastal States, Tribes, and Territories Initiative
Eligible applicants: state, tribal entities, local governments, higher education institutions, nonprofits. Applications are due February 13, 2024.
Announcement Type: Funding Opportunity Announcement
Opportunity: Funding Opportunity Announcement for WAP Enhancement and Innovation Grant
Overview and Eligible Uses: New investments from federal, state, private sector, and philanthropic sources in the United States are fueling efforts to address climate change, boost the nation's resilience against health and well-being risks, and drive economic growth in historically underserved communities. These investments have generated a need for specialized training to meet the demand for jobs that support climate resilience. The purpose of this competition is to cater to the skill requirements of employers focused on climate resilience and enable workers to secure good jobs that contribute to enhancing climate resilience. Eligible uses include:
Program Design: Funding can be used to develop partnerships that identify the skills needed by industries and workers. This includes collaborating with NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to develop skills training curriculum and materials, as well as securing technical expertise for training workers with the required skills. It may also involve providing professional development and capacity-building to trainers and educators.
Program Implementation: Funding can be used to deliver workforce training and wraparound services that place workers into good jobs that enhance climate resilience. This may involve providing training programs, childcare, transportation, and other support services to help participants complete the training. The focus is on placing workers in jobs within coastal states, tribal nations, territories, or the District of Columbia.
Recruitment and Training: Funding can be used to recruit workers into "good jobs that enhance climate resilience." This may involve training workers in one or more of the specified climate-informed skills. The skills include applying equity-centered climate resilience principles, reducing exposure to climate-related impacts, designing and building climate-resilient infrastructure, and other relevant skills as defined by climate-resilience plans, employers, and experts.
Partnerships and Collaboration: Funding should support partnerships and collaborations that contribute to the growth of regional workforces and economies. This includes co-developing new or enhancing existing training programs that meet the skills needs of employers. The goal is to build enduring capacity for a workforce that can enhance climate resilience.
Metrics and Reporting: Applicants should propose tangible metrics to track progress and outcomes of the funded projects. This may include metrics such as employer commitments to hire, job placements, career advancement, wage gains, and progress towards climate resilience, economic, and equity goals.
It is important to note that the specific uses of the funding will depend on the proposals submitted by applicants and their alignment with the program priorities and objectives outlined in the Funding Opportunity Description.
Amount: NOAA aims to grant between 10-20 awards under this competition, at amounts ranging from $500,000-$10 million each.
Award Type: Cooperative agreement
Eligible Applicants:
State, Tribal and Local governments
Institutions of higher education
Non-profit organizations or associations
Key Dates:
Letters of Intent are due November 30, 2023. Full applications are due February 13, 2024.
Key Links:
For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.
This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.
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