Funding Opportunity: Disability Employment Initiative Grants

US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
Notice of Availability of Funds
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA-ETA17-05)
Issued on June 30, 2017


Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is July 31, 2017.

Description: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor announces the availability of approximately $15 million in grant funds authorized by Section 169, subsection (b), of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI). This Announcement solicits applications for Round VIII of the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI). The purpose of this program is to provide funding to expand the capacity of American Job Centers (AJCs), also known as One-Stop Centers, to promote the use of existing career pathways to serve two populations: 1) adults (ages 18 and older) with visible, non-visible, and significant disabilities, including those who have acquired disabilities in adulthood; and 2) youth (ages 14-24) with visible, non-visible, and significant disabilities, including those who have chronic health conditions. Under this round of DEI funding, grantees will focus on improvements needed to make their existing “career pathways” systems fully inclusive of and accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Award Information DOL expects availability of approximately $15,000,000 to fund approximately 8 grants. The applicant may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $2,500,000. Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of Federal funds. The Department intends to award at least one grant in each of the two population focus areas: 1) adults (ages 18 and older) with visible, non-visible, and significant disabilities, including those who have acquired disabilities in adulthood; 2) youth (ages 14-24) with visible, non-visible, and significant disabilities, including those who have chronic health conditions.

Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • State workforce agencies (SWAs) eligible for funding under Title I of WIOA or for funding under the W-P Act.
  • Entities described in section 166(c) of WIOA relating to Indian and Native American programs. These entities include Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities, Indian-controlled organizations serving Indians, or Native Hawaiian organizations. These applicants are not required to partner with Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs).

States that received DEI Round VII funds are not eligible for funding under this FOA