H-1B Job Training Grants
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
The H-1B Skills Training Grants provide training and related activities to workers to assist them in gaining the skills and competencies needed to obtain or upgrade employment in high-growth industries or economic sectors. Over time, these education and training programs will help businesses reduce their use of skilled foreign professionals permitted to work in the U.S. on a temporary basis under the H-1B visa program.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
- Department/Agency of U.S. State
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Municipality/Township Government
- County Government
- School District Government
- School District
- Local Government Consortium
- Nonprofit Organization
- Not-for-Profit Organization
- Other
Grants may be awarded to a partnership of private and public sector entities as defined in the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA). Applicants may generally be public and non-profit organizations, and eligible applicants vary for individual grant programs. See the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for specific requirements.
Beneficiaries
- Adult (20–64)
- Trainee
- U.S. Citizen
- Other
The scope of potential beneficiaries under these programs can be very broad and can include a variety of individual participants, as well as employers.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Procedures for each project are specified in the applicable request for proposals. Generally, the procedure is as follows: A technical review panel composed peer reviewers evaluates eligible submitted applications. The panel prepares a report for the ETA Grant Officer identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the application and the cumulative rating. Selections are made based on the best rated proposals, as well as other factors cited in the FOA. Once selections are made by the Grant Officer, an Award Notification is sent through the appropriate congressional channels for notification. If an application is rejected, a letter is sent to the applicant as notification that they were not selected as a recipient of the grant.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 90 to 120 days
DOL announces grant recipients once the paneling process is complete, generally 90 to 120 days after the application deadline.
Program details & compliance
Description
H-1B Skills Training Grants serve diverse populations, including incumbent workers, underemployed workers (such as those who are not currently connected to a full-time job commensurate with the individual’s level of education, skills, or wage and/or salary earned previously, or who have obtained only episodic, short-term, or part-time employment), and unemployed workers. Eligible participants must be at least 17 years old and not currently enrolled in secondary school within a local educational agency.
H-1B Skills Training Grants support evidence-based training models, such as work-based learning and Registered Apprenticeship, to build skills and competencies that lead to middle- and high-skill and in-demand occupations and industries, such as information technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, among others.
Mission Categories
Primary: Work Education
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funds are to be used to provide job training services and related activities to assist workers in gaining the skills and competencies needed to obtain or upgrade employment positions in high-growth industries and economic sectors, or occupations, which currently use H-1B visas to employ foreign workers. Grant opportunities are published on grants.gov. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for specific eligibility requirements.
Required Documentation
Generally grantees must demonstrate an adequate organizational capacity, both fiscally and programmatically, including a project management structure. Additionally, grantees must provide evidence of the use of data systems to track outcomes in a timely and accurate manner.
Matching Requirements
The percentage of cost sharing varies depending on the Funding Opportunity Announcement. It may also vary depending on the track within a FOA - (e.g., development vs. scaling where scaling must provide match but development doesn't). In past FOAs, match has been as little as 15% or as high as 20%.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements