FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge | EDA HDQ FY2024GJC

Opportunity Information: Apply for EDA HDQ FY2024GJC

The FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge is a competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) focused on strengthening regional workforce training systems and helping people move into "good jobs" while supporting the growth of strategically important industries. EDA frames this program within its broader mission to promote innovation and competitiveness across U.S. regions, states, and Tribal communities, with an emphasis on preparing local economies to succeed in a global marketplace. In practical terms, this funding is meant to help regions organize and scale workforce training and job placement efforts that are tied directly to employer demand, using established sector-based partnerships rather than isolated training programs.

A central goal of the NOFO is to support sectoral partnerships that can design and implement training pipelines leading to quality employment outcomes and that align with federal key technology focus areas. While the notice text does not list those technology areas in the excerpt provided, the intent is clear: EDA is prioritizing workforce development that strengthens industries considered important for U.S. competitiveness, economic resilience, and national security. Proposals are expected to connect training to real hiring needs, coordinate across partners (such as employers, education and training providers, and local governments), and demonstrate how participants will be placed into jobs with strong prospects rather than short-term or low-quality roles.

Funding available under this NOFO totals $25 million for FY 2024. EDA expects to make approximately 5 to 8 awards, with individual award sizes generally ranging from $1 million up to $8 million (the listed award ceiling). The program is offered as a discretionary grant under CFDA 11.307, and it is categorized across several activity areas including community development, education, employment and training, regional development, and science and technology-related R&D. The structure signals that EDA is looking for regional, systems-level workforce strategies that are integrated with broader economic development priorities, not simply stand-alone training courses.

Eligibility is limited to public-sector and nonprofit or educational institutions that can lead or coordinate regional initiatives. Eligible applicants include EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD) District Organizations, Indian Tribes (or consortia of Tribes), states, counties, cities, townships, and other political subdivisions (including special purpose units involved in economic or infrastructure development), consortia of political subdivisions, institutions of higher education (including consortia), and public or private nonprofit organizations or associations acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a state. Importantly, EDA states it is not authorized under this NOFO to award grants to individuals or to for-profit entities, and applications from those parties will not be considered. That does not prevent employers from participating as partners, but it does mean the applicant and direct recipient must be an eligible public, nonprofit, or educational entity.

Key administrative details include the Funding Opportunity Number EDA HDQ FY2024GJC, with the original application closing date listed as September 27, 2024. Applications are submitted through EDA's portal at https://sfgrants.eda.gov/s/funding-program/a2jSJ0000000iDxYAI/fy-2024-good-jobs-challenge. Overall, the program is best understood as a regional workforce and economic development investment designed to build durable training-to-employment pipelines in high-priority sectors, improve job quality and placement outcomes for participants, and strengthen the long-term competitiveness and security of the applicant region.

• The Economic Development Administration in the community development, education, employment, labor and training, other, regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.307.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $8,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for EDA HDQ FY2024GJC

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: