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HCN Grants Est. 2026
No. FOA-ETA-26-23 · Employment and Training Administration
Open

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

grants.gov listing ↗ Full announcement (NOFO) ↗
Dealbreakers No cost share required Audit: not stated Reimbursement-only: not stated

At a glance

This funding announcement is for the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 7 grant, which supports training and employment projects in the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border regions. It funds projects that build regional sector partnerships, design training based on employer needs, and support job placement or advancement for dislocated workers, incumbent workers, and new entrants. The application notes a maximum award amount of $8,000,000, but it does not state a fixed number of awards in the text provided. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier and SAM registration, and applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by July 23, 2026; the abstract’s service area must align with one of the required WORC regions.

AI-generated summary — verify against the announcement

What it funds

  • Employment, Labor and Training
  • Capacity Building & Technical Assistance
  • Workers, Entrepreneurs & Producers
  • Workforce, Employment & Economic Mobility
Official description from grants.gov

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.

Who can apply

  • City or township governments
  • County governments
  • Independent school districts
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized)
  • Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
  • Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
  • Others
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
  • State governments
Geographic restriction None found in the announcement — likely nationwide