The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is now accepting applications for its Clean Energy Career Pathway Program.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/30/2025
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The Clean Energy Career Pathway Program will provide funding directly to eligible recipients to support the planning and implementation of a Clean Energy Career Pathway. Programs will include coursework, field experiences, and work-based learning designed to prepare students for entrance into careers focusing on clean energy. To ensure equitable pathways for students, this funding opportunity seeks qualified, eligible entities working with secondary school students in partnership with Local Workforce Innovation Areas and institutions of higher education. This program will recruit students into clean energy fields (with a priority for EV occupations) and create pathways encompassing technical and employability skills with dual credit options.
The grant shall be awarded to selected applicants for a period of two years. The first year can be a planning period for grantees to establish the curriculum, modernize the classroom or provide professional development to instructors. In the second year, grantees will pilot a clean energy career pathway program focusing on occupations that support electric vehicle infrastructure. Planning periods may be less than a year if the program is ready for implementation.
Funding Information
Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $4,000,000. Awards will range from $250,000 to $750,000.
Grant Period
Anticipated start date for awards is July 1, 2025. The period of performance is expected to be July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible entities for this NOFO are defined as Regional Offices of Education (ROEs); Intermediate Service Centers (ISCs); state institutions of higher education; schools designated as laboratory schools, public university laboratory schools approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE); area vocational centers; charter schools; cooperatives and other joint agreements with a governing body or board of control; schools operated by an ROE, ISC, or state agency; and school districts eligible applicants include, but are not limited to industry associations, Regional Offices of Education (ROEs); Intermediate Service Centers (ISCs); community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations; or Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as defined in the federal Indian Self-determination and Education Assistance Act). Entities that are approved shall be responsible for ensuring that they have facilities available and educators who are appropriately trained on use of any technologies or devices acquired for the purposes of the grant. Collaborative applications will be accepted. Eligible Applicants must partner with a Community College, a Local Workforce Innovation Area, and employers to pilot clean the energy pathway programs.
For more information, visit DCEO.
