Funding opportunities are limited to public and private organizations that are in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State.  Additional consideration will be given to organizations that demonstrate the administrative capacity and a history of successfully administering the Trade and WIOA Programs. Additional consideration will also be given to organizations and projects in local workforce areas and regions throughout the State that document how the project will impact workforce, education, and economic development, and that can be replicated throughout the State (if applicable). 

Funding opportunities are limited to public and private organizations that are in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State.  Additional consideration will be given to organizations that demonstrate the administrative capacity and a history of successfully administering the Trade and WIOA Programs. Additional consideration will also be given to organizations and projects in local workforce areas and regions throughout the State that document how the project will impact workforce, education, and economic development, and that can be replicated throughout the State (if applicable). 

Grantees must comply with all applicable provisions of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment and equal employment opportunity including, but not limited to: The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/1‐101 et seq.), The Public Works Employment Discrimination Act (775 ILCS 10/1 et seq.), The United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended) (42 USC 2000a‐and 2000H‐6), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794), The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12101 et seq.), and The Age Discrimination Act (42 USC 6101 et seq.).

Eligible applicants must demonstrate effectiveness in serving the target population(s), engaging businesses, and the ability to meet performance targets. The applicant's capacity to show they can deliver in these areas is a strong factor in coordinating education, workforce and economic development services. Proposals must provide data and supporting related outcomes to demonstrate capacity and effectiveness. For example, applicants should provide data related to the population served training completions, employment placements, education partners as well as business partners in the project.

The instructions below are for new organizations or organizations that have never applied for a state grant before. Most applicants work for organizations that already completed these steps to do business with the state government. 

Before your organization can apply for a grant, there are several steps an organization must complete prior to submitting an application.

Below are the main steps and links to more information to complete this process. The process below can take between three business days and five weeks, so please make sure to begin early. If you do not complete these steps by the submission deadline, you are unlikely to be allowed to submit an application. Contact the OET point of contact listed in the grant opportunity to discuss the agency's policy.