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"Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative" is currently closed and not accepting applications.
Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative is sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, Northern Border Regional Commission.
WORC grants support workforce development activities that prepare dislocated workers, new entrants to the workforce, and incumbent workers for good jobs in high-demand occupations aligned with a regional or community economic development strategy in the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border regions. High-demand industries include manufacturing, IT, healthcare, business, and energy.
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Or search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Grants for projects in the Appalachian, Lower Mississippi Delta, and Northern Border regions that will provide career, training, and support services to eligible individuals in eligible counties and parishes. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The published deadline was July 23, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative is funded by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, Northern Border Regional Commission. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Mississippi. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative returns for a seventh round with $49.2M for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border regions — awards of $2M to $8M, an estimated 6 to 24 grants, and a July 23, 2026 deadline. Here is how the three-commission structure works, who is eligible, why WORC 7's shift toward large-scale regional sector partnerships changes who should apply, and how to build a proposal that survives the competition.
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