Innovation Grant
Innovation Grant supports Idaho community-based teams with employer-informed skills training and career connections that expand pathways to in-demand jobs and retain talent for local businesses.
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 awards and two-year terms may be requested for work-based learning
Summary: Supports community-based projects addressing Idaho workforce needs through employer-informed skills training and connections to careers.
Key Information: Lead applicants must be physically located in Idaho, represent a community-based team, and have fiscal capacity to track funds and safeguard spending.
Description
The Idaho Workforce Development Council’s Innovation Grant supports projects addressing local workforce development needs in Idaho. Projects may provide skills training, help individuals connect to careers, or combine both approaches. Training can include work-based learning, classroom instruction, or virtual learning. Career-connection activities can include information and outreach about career education and workforce training opportunities, as well as soft skill development.
The program advances economic mobility by expanding pathways to in-demand careers and retaining skilled talent for Idaho businesses. Its goals include aligning education and work-based learning with current and projected employer demand, expanding career-connected opportunities that support wage growth, and developing effective talent pipeline models that can be replicated across regions and industries. Tracking workforce outcomes supports the Council’s emphasis on measurable value and accountability.
