Funding Opportunities


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Current Notice of Funding Opportunities

Energy Transition Navigators Program NOFO 2026​

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) sets forth the requirements for funding for the Energy Transition Navigators Program (20 ILCS 730/5-35; 14 Ill. Admin. Code 820), as specified by the Energy Transition Act as part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, PA 102-0662 (“Climate and Equitable Jobs Act" or CEJA"). The program provides outreach, recruitment, and entry services for the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. The Department seeks to grant funds to not-for-profit community-based providers ("Navigator Teams") to perform this function in each CEJA workforce region. Learn more about this funding opportunity.

Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program NOFO 2026

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) sets forth the requirements for funding the Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (20 ILCS 730/5-20; 14 Ill. Admin. Code Part 840) and the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program (20 ILCS 730/5-30), as specified by the Energy Transition Act as part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, PA 102-0662 ("Climate and Equitable Jobs Act" or "CEJA") and PA 104-458, as amended. CEJA establishes several workforce programs, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to expand the clean energy workforce in Illinois and accelerate the adoption of clean energy sources, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency. Learn more about this funding opportunity.

Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Notice of Funding Opportunity 2026​​

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) sets forth the requirements for funding for the Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (20 ILCS 730/5-40; 14 Ill. Admin. Code 850) and the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program (20 ILCS 730/5-30), as specified by the Energy Transition Act as part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, PA 102-662 (“Climate and Equitable Jobs Act,” or “CEJA”). These two CEJA workforce programs are intended to help accelerate the adoption of clean energy sources, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency efforts. Investments in clean energy technology and infrastructure, funded through CEJA and other state and federal funding sources, will generate significant construction, installation, maintenance, and repair activity in Illinois. Learn more about this funding opportunity.

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About
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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