Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program

Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program is sponsored by Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (through Governor's Workforce Board). This program helps employers remain competitive and workers advance their careers by providing reimbursement for 50% to 100% of approved employee-training costs, with a maximum annual award of $25,000. This can help businesses strengthen skills and retain workers.

Incumbent Worker Training Grants (Rhode Island) | FundBug Grant · RI — Statewide Incumbent Worker Training Grants The Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program helps Rhode Island employers remain competitive by providing 50% to 100% reimbursement for eligible training costs that help workers maintain and advance in their careers. All eligible RI employers may apply with a maximum annual award of $25,000.

REIMBURSEMENT RATES & PROGRAM CAPS Employers who meet the eligibility criteria outlined above and have 25 or more employees may be reimbursed at a rate of 50% for eligible costs on eligible training activities. Eligible employers with fewer than 25 employees may be reimbursed at a higher rate of 75%.

 NEW: Employers of any size may be reimbursed at a rate of 100% for English as a Second Language Training (otherwise known as ‘ESL On-The-Job’). The annual award cap for all eligible employers is $25,000 per calendar year. Multiple training grants may be awarded to an employer until the $25,000 program cap is reached.

Employers with more than one location in Rhode Island may be treated as either one employer or separate employers depending on the Federal Employer Identification Number(s) (FEINs). Employers with locations operating under different FEINs will be considered separate entities and each location may submit its own application(s). Employers with more than one location operating under a single FEIN are considered one entity.

Reimbursable training dollars are capped at a per-trainee, per year amount of $5,000. Employers may utilize this program to provide training that demonstrates a clear benefit to the organization and its employee(s).

To be approved, an Incumbent Worker Training Grant Application must demonstrate at least one (1) of the following: • Training responds to a new or modified local, state, federal, or international regulation or standard that requires a change in technology, process, etc. • Training responds to rapidly changing industry practices or skill requirements, new technologies, or the emergence of new products or competitors.

• New market opportunities may become available because of the skills acquired through • The employee(s) will be positioned to advance into higher paying roles because of the • The employee(s) will receive an industry recognized credential/certification that is transferable should they separate from the employer.

 NOTE: Provider‑led English as a Second Language (ESL) training that supports workplace communication and job‑related language skills is also eligible.

Employers may NOT utilize this program to provide training to the following types of personnel: • Personnel who are not authorized to work in the United States • Personnel hired as independent contractors under a 1099 • Personnel who are immediate relatives1 of the employer if the immediate relatives are the only personnel to receive training.

Costs eligible for reimbursement include: • Tuition and fees for college courses • Trainers/Instructors (or training provider fees) • Training materials and supplies • Software or subscriptions (if directly related to training and used exclusively for training) 1 An immediate relative is defined as an individual in a person’s family such as a spouse, parent, grandparent, child, stepchild, sibling, in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin, or domestic partner.

• Curriculum development (if necessary) • Conference registration fees (see below)  NOTE: Effective 3/1/2026, conference registration fees are reimbursable only when the training provided results in a verifiable learning outcome (such as a certificate, credential, or documented competency-based result).

Conferences focused primarily on networking, or those offering professional development without verifiable learning outcomes, are not eligible. Training should be delivered in a cost-effective manner using local institutions and training providers whenever possible.

The following costs are NOT reimbursable: • Employee mileage (or other travel costs) • Hotel/accommodation costs • Grant preparation or administration costs • Equipment (including hardware and software) that is not exclusively for training • Trainings/conferences outside of the U.S. or with non-U.S. based providers  NOTE: Reimbursable training dollars are capped at a per-trainee, per year amount of $5,000.

 NOTE: Reimbursable training dollars are capped at a per-trainee, per year amount of $5,000.

This cap is applied to the matching grant funds (e.g., an employer may conduct training that costs $10,000 per trainee; however, the maximum grant contribution toward that training will Employers must meet four (4) eligibility requirements to participate in the program: 1) Classified as a for-profit or private non-profit entity doing business in Rhode Island (public/government entities are not eligible).

2) Pays into the Rhode Island Job Development Fund via Unemployment Insurance taxes. 3) In good standing with all divisions of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, and not prohibited from contracting with an agency that administers federal funds.  NOTE: To verify that the organization pays into the Job Development Fund and is current on all tax obligations, please contact the Employer Tax Unit at (401) 574-8700.

4) Registered in Rhode Island’s supplier management system, Ocean State Procures (‘OSP’). If the employer is not currently registered with OSP, registration must be completed and approved prior to applying for an Incumbent Worker Training Grant.

Small business funding in Rhode Island Other funding worth a look Amber Grant Foundation $10,000 Monthly Grant NASE Growth Grant Breva Thrive Grant Training reimbursements are the most reliably renewed programs in every state, and the least advertised. FundBug watches for each new round. Get matched to training money →