Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI)

Address national employment and training issues through demonstrations, pilot projects, and applied research that have interstate validity and will aid policymakers and stakeholders in addressing these issues and for continuous improvement of the public workforce system.

Only states and U.S. territories are eligible to apply for WDQI grants. These funds are used to develop, or enhance, state IT systems established as longitudinal administrative databases for the long-term analysis of individual data from pre-K through the workforce to determine the effectiveness of education and training programs.

Procedures for each project are specified in the applicable funding opportunity announcement (FOA). Generally, the procedure is as follows: 1) A technical review panel composed of staff from ETA program offices as well as peer reviewers evaluates eligible submitted applications; 2) The panel prepares a report for the ETA Grant Officer identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the application and the cumulative rating; 3) Once selections are made by the Grant Officer, an Award Notification is sent through the appropriate congressional channels for notification; and 4) After awardees are notified, the list of awardees is posted on the ETA Web site at www.doleta.gov. If an application is rejected, a letter is sent to the applicant.

From 45 to 90 days.