Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ETA 19 08
Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC): A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian and Delta Regions is a discretionary grant opportunity (FOA ETA 19 08, CFDA 17.280) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). The program is structured as a set of demonstration projects meant to show how rural regions experiencing major economic transition can better connect workforce development efforts with broader economic development and diversification plans that already exist at the regional or community level.
The geographic focus is narrowly targeted to rural communities within two federally defined areas that have been hit hard by economic shifts and have been recovering slowly: (1) the Appalachian region as defined in federal law (40 U.S.C. 14102(a)(1)), and (2) the Lower Mississippi Delta region as defined in federal law (7 U.S.C. 2009aa(2)). In practical terms, the funding is intended to reach eligible applicants located in, or serving, counties and parishes within those designated regions, especially places that are currently underserved by other workforce or training resources.
The core purpose of WORC is to expand and strengthen existing workforce development initiatives rather than build entirely separate systems. Grants are meant to help communities increase the reach and effectiveness of workforce programs by aligning them with real economic development strategies, local industry needs, and plans for diversification. The emphasis is on preparing people for good jobs in high-demand occupations, with those occupations selected because they match a regional or community economic strategy instead of being chosen in isolation.
WORC-supported activities center on delivering career services, training, and supportive services that help people actually complete training and move into employment. The target participant groups include dislocated workers (people who have lost jobs due to layoffs, closures, or economic change), new entrants to the workforce (such as individuals trying to enter employment for the first time or re-enter after time away), and incumbent workers (people currently employed who need upskilling to keep their jobs or advance). The intent is to help these groups access training pathways tied to local demand, improving both individual economic mobility and regional economic resilience.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity was designed to support a substantial number of projects across the two regions. The award ceiling listed is $2,500,000 per grant, with an expectation of about 35 awards. As a discretionary grant competition, applicants would be selected through a competitive review process based on the criteria in the full announcement, and the resulting projects would function as demonstrations of strategies that can be replicated across other rural communities facing similar challenges.
Key administrative details from the announcement include the publication timeline and submission deadline. The FOA was created on May 15, 2019, and the original closing date for applications was July 15, 2019, with applications required to be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. Eligibility is labeled broadly as "Others" with clarification referenced in the full text under an eligibility section, meaning prospective applicants would need to consult the complete FOA language to confirm which organization types and partnership structures qualify.
Overall, WORC is best understood as a place-based workforce and economic development alignment initiative. It targets Appalachian and Delta communities that are dealing with long-term economic transition, funds projects that strengthen or scale proven workforce efforts, and prioritizes training and services that lead to employment in high-demand fields that directly support a community or region's economic development and diversification goals.Apply for FOA ETA 19 08
- The Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC): A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian and Delta Regions" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.280.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 15, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 2019 The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is July 15, 2019. Applications must be received no later than 40000 p.m. Eastern Time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 35 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant?
WORC is a discretionary grant opportunity (FOA ETA 19 08, CFDA 17.280) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). It is structured as a set of demonstration projects focused on helping rural regions in major economic transition better connect workforce development with existing economic development and diversification plans.
Which federal agencies and partners are involved in WORC?
The grant opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA).
What does it mean that WORC is a "discretionary" grant?
As a discretionary grant competition, applications are selected through a competitive review process using the criteria described in the full funding announcement. Awards are not automatic; they are made to applicants that score well based on the FOA requirements.
What is the main purpose of WORC?
The core purpose is to expand and strengthen existing workforce development initiatives by aligning them with real economic development strategies, local industry needs, and regional or community plans for diversification. The focus is on preparing people for good jobs in high-demand occupations that support the community or region's economic strategy.
Is WORC intended to create brand-new workforce systems?
No. The program emphasizes strengthening or scaling existing workforce efforts rather than building entirely separate systems.
What types of communities does WORC target?
WORC narrowly targets rural communities in two federally defined regions that have been hit hard by economic shifts and have been recovering slowly: (1) the Appalachian region and (2) the Lower Mississippi Delta region.
How are the eligible regions defined?
The Appalachian region is defined in federal law at 40 U.S.C. 14102(a)(1). The Lower Mississippi Delta region is defined in federal law at 7 U.S.C. 2009aa(2).
Does the funding have to be used in specific counties or parishes?
In practical terms, the funding is intended to reach eligible applicants located in, or serving, counties and parishes within the designated Appalachian and Lower Mississippi Delta regions, particularly places that are underserved by other workforce or training resources.
What makes WORC a "place-based" initiative?
WORC is designed to align workforce development with broader regional or community economic development and diversification plans that already exist. Occupations and training priorities are expected to match local strategies and demand rather than being chosen in isolation.
What kinds of activities can WORC grants support?
WORC-supported activities center on delivering career services, training, and supportive services that help participants complete training and move into employment. The grant is meant to increase the reach and effectiveness of workforce programs by tying them to local demand and economic development strategies.
What are "supportive services" in the context of WORC?
The opportunity description indicates supportive services are part of WORC-supported activities and are intended to help people complete training and successfully transition into employment. Specific allowable supportive services would be detailed in the full FOA.
Who are the target participants for WORC-funded programs?
The target participant groups include: dislocated workers (people who lost jobs due to layoffs, closures, or economic change), new entrants to the workforce (including first-time entrants or those re-entering after time away), and incumbent workers (people currently employed who need upskilling to keep their jobs or advance).
What outcomes is WORC trying to achieve for participants?
The intent is to help participants access training pathways tied to local demand, complete training, and move into employment in high-demand occupations, improving individual economic mobility and strengthening regional economic resilience.
How are "high-demand occupations" determined under WORC?
The description emphasizes that high-demand occupations should be selected because they match a regional or community economic strategy and diversification plan, not because they are chosen independently of local economic development priorities.
What is the maximum award amount for a WORC grant?
The award ceiling listed is $2,500,000 per grant.
About how many awards were expected under this opportunity?
The opportunity indicated an expectation of about 35 awards across the two regions.
What is the FOA number and CFDA number for WORC?
The FOA is ETA 19 08 and the CFDA number is 17.280.
When was this FOA created and when were applications due?
The FOA was created on May 15, 2019. The original closing date for applications was July 15, 2019, and applications were required to be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.
How is eligibility described in the announcement?
Eligibility is labeled broadly as "Others," with clarification referenced in the full text under an eligibility section. Prospective applicants would need to consult the complete FOA language to confirm eligible organization types and any required partnership structures.
Are WORC projects meant to be replicated elsewhere?
Yes. The projects are described as demonstrations of strategies that can be replicated across other rural communities facing similar economic transition challenges.
What is the bigger goal for regions receiving WORC support?
Beyond helping individuals prepare for employment, WORC aims to improve regional economic resilience by better aligning workforce development with economic development and diversification plans in rural Appalachian and Delta communities experiencing long-term economic transition.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Employment, Labor and Training
Next opportunity: Post-treatment Assessment of Floodplain plant communities and Channel form
Previous opportunity: National Project to Support and Promote Consistent Implementation of the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (U18)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FOA ETA 19 08
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FOA ETA 19 08) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Program Year 2019 Planning Guidance for National Farmworker Jobs Program Career Services and Training Grantees and Housing Grantees Apply for ETA TEGL 19 18 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 19 18 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $8,791,201 |
| Revised Program Year 2018 Funding Levels for WIOA Title I Adult/Dislocated Worker/Youth Activities Program Allotments; and PY 2018 Allotments for Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Services (ES) Program Apply for ETA TEGL 16 17 YOUTH C2 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 16 17 YOUTH C2 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $374,413 |
| Revised Program Year 2018 Funding Levels for WIOA Title I Adult/Dislocated Worker/Youth Activities Program Allotments; and PY 2018 Allotments for Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Services (ES) Program Apply for ETA TEGL 16 17 ADULT C2 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 16 17 ADULT C2 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $298,865 |
| Revised Program Year 2018 Funding Levels for WIOA Title I Adult/Dislocated Worker/Youth Activities Program Allotments; and PY 2018 Allotments for Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Services (ES) Program Apply for ETA TEGL 16 17 DW C2 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 16 17 DW C2 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $384,930 |
| Revised Program Year 2018 Funding Levels for WIOA Title I Adult/Dislocated Worker/Youth Activities Program Allotments; and PY 2018 Allotments for Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Services (ES) Program Apply for ETA TEGL 16 17 ES C2 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 16 17 ES C2 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $236,009 |
| Infrastructure Work Experience Apply for P19AS00178 Funding Number: P19AS00178 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $299,977 |
| Change 1, Revised Program Year (PY) 2018 Planning Instructions and Allotments for Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) State, Territorial, and National Grantees Apply for ETA TEGL 17 17 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 17 17 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $118,257 |
| Program Year 2019 Funding Allotments and Instructions for the INA Section 166 Programs Apply for PY19 NA SEC166 FUNDING Funding Number: PY19 NA SEC166 FUNDING Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $6,010,988 |
| Trail Maintenance on Portage Creek (Joe Thompson) Trail Apply for NPS DOIP19AC00214 Funding Number: NPS DOIP19AC00214 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $38,600 |
| FY 2019 Foreign Labor Certification Grant Planning Guidance Apply for ETA TEGL 21 18 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 21 18 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Public History Internship Apply for NPS 19 NERO 0019 Funding Number: NPS 19 NERO 0019 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $90,592 |
| Revised Program Year 2018 Allocations for National Farmworker Jobs Program Career Services and Training Grantees and Housing Grantees Apply for ETA TEGL 18 01 CHANGE1 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 18 01 CHANGE1 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $24,524 |
| Tomorrow's Leaders College-to-Work Pipeline Pilot Apply for SFOP0005934 Funding Number: SFOP0005934 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| YouthBuild Apply for FOA ETA 19 04 Funding Number: FOA ETA 19 04 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Conservation Trails Hitch Crew to work on the project that will rehabilitate Exit Glacier Area Trails at Kenai Fjords National Park Apply for NPS DOIP19AC00098 Funding Number: NPS DOIP19AC00098 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $50,825 |
| C&O Canal National Historical Park – Vegetation Control and Invas Apply for P19AC00247 Funding Number: P19AC00247 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $412,643 |
| Mount Rainier National Park Academy Internships for Diverse Youth Apply for P19AS00256 Funding Number: P19AS00256 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $36,345 |
| NPS 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Program Apply for P19AS00013 Funding Number: P19AS00013 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Split-Rail Fence Restoration Apply for NPS 19 NERO 0044 Funding Number: NPS 19 NERO 0044 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $38,072 |
| Historic Preservation Specialist (HPS) Interns Apply for NPS 19 NERO 0045 Funding Number: NPS 19 NERO 0045 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $84,249 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FOA ETA 19 08", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.