UI Integrity Center of Excellence Operations
🏛 Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for the continued operations of the Unemployment Insurance Integrity Center of Excellence. Only the National Association of State Workforce Agencies' Center for Employment Security Education and Research (NASWA/CESER) is eligible to apply. This is a sole-source cooperative agreement award.
NASWA/CESER is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in 1994. It serves as the education and research arm of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.
The Center provides training, technical assistance, and resources to states. It develops tools for UI program integrity, fraud prevention, and improper payment reduction.
Award amount is $9,000,000 for FY 2026 with no cost-sharing requirement.
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Program description
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) intends to award a cooperative agreement to the National Association of State Workforce Agencies’ Center for Employment Security Education and Research (NASWA/CESER) for continued operations of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Integrity Center of Excellence (Integrity Center). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-75) provides Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding for federal agencies and provides “… $9,000,000 for continued support of the Unemployment Insurance Integrity Center of Excellence… .” as part of the Department of Labor’s appropriation for State Unemployment Insurance and Employment Service Operations. The UI Integrity Center has been operated by the NASWA/CESER since FY 2017. NASWA/CESER is a 501(c)(3) entity incorporated in August 1994 as an education and research arm of the NASWA, which is a national organization of state administrators of the publicly-funded state workforce system and is a leading provider of information technology, education, and research support focused exclusively on UI and workforce development initiatives and activities. The primary mission of the UI Integrity Center is to provide training and technical assistance to states to improve UI program integrity; develop and disseminate UI program integrity resources and promote innovative new tools and products that are transferable and scalable for all states to prevent UI improper payments and enhance fraud prevention solutions; and enable rapid alerts to states on new improper payment practices and fraud schemes as they are identified.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Not applicable. This is a sole-source cooperative agreement. Only NASWA/CESER completes required documentation for the designated awardee.
Program contact
- 👤 Employment and Training Administration
- 📧 bizuayene.rahel@dol.gov
- 📞 202-693-2606
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 17.225 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,030,386,094
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$674,229,080
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$446,782,232
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$412,618,934
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$388,131,117
-
$382,430,402
-
$366,144,556
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$364,387,662
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$336,483,160
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$324,473,452
Top States by Funding
- CA 6 awards $2,622.1M
- NY 7 awards $1,679.7M
- TX 7 awards $1,273.3M
- MI 7 awards $1,084.9M
- GU 1 awards $1,030.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 17.225). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $40,585,402,473 | |
| 2025 | $41,800,607,770 | |
| 2026 est. | $44,516,634,991 |
FAQ
Can my organization apply for this grant?
No. This is a sole-source award to NASWA/CESER only. No competitive applications are accepted. If you work with NASWA/CESER, inquire about partnership opportunities.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is September 25, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What is the funding amount?
The total award is $9,000,000 for FY 2026. No cost-sharing is required from the recipient.
What activities does the Center support?
The Center provides training and technical assistance to states on UI program integrity. It develops fraud prevention tools, improper payment reduction resources, and rapid-alert systems for emerging fraud schemes.
Can I partner with NASWA/CESER?
Contact NASWA/CESER directly about potential subgrants, partnerships, or training programs. As the sole awardee, they control how funds are allocated.
💡 Tips for applicants
- This is a sole-source award to one specific organization. You cannot apply unless you are NASWA/CESER.
- If your state workforce agency needs UI integrity training or resources, reach out to NASWA/CESER directly to access Center services.
- NASWA/CESER may use portions of the award to fund state partnerships, subcontracts, or training delivery. Ask about funding opportunities within their operations.
- Monitor NASWA/CESER's website and announcements for training events, webinars, and resource releases funded by this grant.
- If you work on UI policy, fraud detection, or workforce development, consider whether existing Center resources align with your state's needs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
This is not a competitive grant. No application is possible unless you are the designated sole-source recipient organization (NASWA/CESER). Do not submit applications from other entities. The award is predetermined and non-competitive.
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