Innovation Grant
Innovation Grant supports community-based teams in Idaho with skills training and career-connection projects that address workforce needs, expand paths to in-demand careers, and retain skilled talent.
Funder: Idaho Workforce Development Council
Due Dates: December 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. (January committee review)
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000 per region for one year; larger requests and two-year terms available for work-based learning
Summary: Supports community-based projects addressing Idaho workforce needs through employer-informed skills training, career connections, or both.
Key Information: The lead applicant must be physically located in Idaho and have fiscal capacity to track funds and safeguard spending.
Description
The Idaho Workforce Development Council’s Innovation Grant supports community-based projects addressing local workforce development needs. Projects may offer skills training, help individuals connect to careers, or combine both approaches. Training can include work-based learning, classroom instruction, or virtual instruction. Career-connection activities may include outreach about career education and workforce training opportunities, as well as soft skill development.
Through the Workforce Development Training Fund, the program seeks to expand pathways to in-demand careers, increase economic mobility and wage growth, and retain skilled talent in Idaho. Its goals include aligning education with current and projected employer demand, supporting effective talent pipeline models that can be replicated across regions and industries, and demonstrating measurable value through transparent tracking of workforce outcomes.
