Description
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering up to 16 grants under the Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program (CEJA) to not‑for‑profit community‑based providers. Grantees will serve as the single point of entry for clean‑energy workforce and contractor programs in one of 14 regional workforce hubs, providing outreach, recruitment, eligibility screening, application assistance, career orientation, and referrals to training, barrier‑reduction services, and business‑development programs. The program emphasizes equity, targeting residents of equity‑investment‑eligible communities, displaced energy workers, formerly incarcerated individuals, foster‑care alumni, low‑income persons, and other underserved groups. Awards are funded from a $6.5 million state allocation, with an application window from 09/22/2026 to 12/31/2027. A technical assistance webinar is offered on 09/29/2026 (optional).
• 16 awards expected; total funding $6.5 M (average ≈ $400 K per award)
• Eligible applicants: Illinois‑based 501(c)(3) organizations with experience serving low‑wage/low‑skill or disadvantaged populations
• Scope of work: community education, outreach events, recruitment, eligibility screening, intake, pre‑assessment, career counseling, referrals to Clean Jobs Workforce Network, Climate Works Pre‑Apprenticeship, Contractor Incubator/Accelerator, and barrier‑reduction services
• Required deliverables: quarterly performance & financial reports, annual outcomes report, adherence to state grant uniform requirements, and possible monitoring visits
• Application package includes narrative, budget, staffing plan, timeline, resumes, and optional MOUs; submission via DCEO Smartsheet portal by 12/31/2027
Attached files
Contact
Diana Fuller(Agency Contact)