Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program
🏛 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Oct 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Illinois organizations that serve eligible jobseekers in clean energy workforce development. Applicants must establish at least one Workforce Hub site within Illinois and partner with employers, community-based organizations, and training providers. Eligible beneficiaries include persons from equity investment-eligible communities, foster care system graduates or current enrollees, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Organizations must align activities with Illinois' clean energy workforce training goals and meet state administrative requirements.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program will identify a network of at least 14 Illinois Clean Jobs Program delivery hub sites (“Workforce Hubs”) throughout the State to recruit and provide clean energy and related workforce training to jobseekers. Workforce Hubs will engage with potential employers, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and community-based and labor-based training providers to ensure program-eligible individuals across the State have dedicated and sustained support to enter and build clean energy careers. To create a qualified, diverse pipeline of workers prepared for careers in clean energy, the Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program creates at least 13 regional Clean Jobs Workforce Hubs throughout the State to provide clean energy and related workforce and training opportunities to participants, engage with potential employers, and form partnerships to ensure participants have dedicated and sustained support to build careers in clean energy and related sector jobs. The main objective of the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program is to increase access to and opportunities for education, training, and support services to help program-eligible individuals succeed in the labor market generally and the clean energy sector specifically. Upon completion, participants will be prepared for entry-level clean energy jobs Allowable costs are outlined in the NOFO and must meeting the requirements of the Uniform Administrative Guidelines Beneficiaries: “Equity investment eligible person” or “eligible person” is a person who would most benefit from equitable investments by the State designed to combat discrimination and foster sustainable economic growth. Specifically, eligible persons mean: 1. persons whose primary residence is in an equity investment-eligible community; or 2. persons who are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; or 3. persons who were formerly incarcerated Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 420-30-3197).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Workforce Development Program
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NOFO application forms (consult Illinois GATA catalog CSFA 420-30-3197)
- Project narrative and workforce delivery plan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Letters of commitment from partners (employers, training providers, CBOs)
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Description of target eligible populations and service area
Program contact
- 👤 Diana Fuller
- 📧 Diana.Fuller@illinois.gov
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Illinois state appropriations. How funding has trended year over year.
| 2023 | $1 | |
| 2024 | $39,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $1 | |
| 2027 | $46,400,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Organizations that can establish Workforce Hub sites in Illinois and deliver clean energy workforce training. Applicants must partner with employers and community organizations to serve eligible populations.
What deadline should I know about?
The deadline is October 30, 2026. Check the NOFO and Illinois GATA catalog for any rolling dates or pre-application requirements.
What activities does this grant fund?
Workforce training program delivery, recruitment support, career coaching, and employer partnership development. All costs must align with the NOFO requirements and state administrative guidelines.
How much funding is available?
The total program pool is $50.9 million for establishing at least 13-14 regional Workforce Hubs statewide. Individual award amounts are not yet specified.
Do I need cost sharing?
No cost-sharing match is required for this grant. All allowable costs must meet the Uniform Administrative Guidelines specified in the NOFO.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review the full NOFO and Illinois GATA guidelines before starting. Many state workforce grants have specific compliance and reporting requirements that take time to understand.
- Build a strong partnership section. Successful applications show clear letters of commitment from employers, training providers, and community organizations in your hub service area.
- Focus your narrative on how you'll reach and serve eligible populations. Demonstrate concrete knowledge of foster care, reentry, and equity investment-eligible communities you'll target.
- Plan your budget carefully around the Uniform Administrative Guidelines. State workforce grants often have strict allowability rules that differ from federal grants.
- Connect clean energy training to actual labor market demand. Include data on job openings and employer hiring needs in your region.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague partnerships without formal commitments from employers and training providers. Failing to clearly identify the specific eligible populations and service areas your Workforce Hub will serve. Proposed activities that don't directly support entry-level clean energy job placement.
Similar grants
- OPEN Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (CEJA) — Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- OPEN Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program (CEJA) — Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- CLOSING SOON Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant — Environmental Protection Agency
- ROLLING Illinois Economic Empowerment Centers (EEC) Program — Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- OPEN Illinois Regional Site Readiness Program — Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity