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Apprenticeship Illinois Expansion Grant 2026

State of Illinois WIOA Notice: 25-NOT-02 provides Local Workforce Innovation Boards (LWIBs) and WIOA Core Partners information on the availability of Apprenticeship Illinois Expansion funding to support a qualified Apprenticeship Specialist in each Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA). Apprenticeship Illinois Expansion funds support local and regional business services teams in developing and implementing apprenticeship expansion strategies in their region. The application deadline is May 22, 2026. Learn more about the Program Goals, Funding, Submission Details, and Resources​.
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At various times throughout the year, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Employment and Training (DCEO OET) will solicit project applications to help advance our mission. Initiative funding will generally utilize federal funds from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), but other funding sources may be available.

The OET will issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), typically for a specific activity linked to priorities of the State of Illinois Unified Workforce Plan, seeking organizations to respond. Each NOFO will include detailed application instructions. Funding opportunities are limited to public and private organizations in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. DCEO selects organizations whose responses best meet the evaluation criteria outlined in the solicitation.

Applicants must pre-qualify through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal. During pre-qualification, Dun and Bradstreet verifications are performed, including a check of Debarred and Suspended status and good standing with the Secretary of State. The pre-award process includes a financial and administrative risk assessment utilizing an Internal Controls Questionnaire.​

Subscribe to the Bidders List to receive information on funding opportunities.​

Search for Grant Opportunities throughout Illinois with the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Search.
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