EARN Maryland — Employment Advancement Right Now
Maryland Department of Labor — Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Up to $500,000/partnership
Researched for this program: 5 rejection traps · 6 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Maryland funds industry partnerships to train workers for middle-skill jobs
Maryland's sector-partnership workforce grant funds industry-led partnerships between employers and training providers to upskill incumbent workers and connect job seekers to middle-skill careers. Strategic industry partnerships apply collectively — not individual employers. Targets healthcare, manufacturing, construction, IT, and other high-demand sectors. Established 2014.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $50,000 – $500,000
- Realistic amount
- $150,000–$400,000 for a typical multi-employer sector partnership over 18–24 months
- Deadline
- Annual competitive funding rounds — typically announced by Maryland Department of Labor. Check labor.maryland.gov for current solicitation.
- Status
- active
- States
- MD
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Applicant must be an intermediary organization acting on behalf of a Strategic Industry Partnership (SIP) — workforce board, trade association, community college, economic development organization, or non-profit
- The SIP must include multiple employers in the same industry sector operating in Maryland
- Target population: unemployed/underemployed job seekers AND incumbent workers in Maryland
- Sector must be a high-demand Maryland industry with documented skill gaps
- At least 3 employer members in the SIP; larger multi-employer partnerships preferred
- Training must lead to credentials, certifications, or career advancement in the target sector
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Tuition and training provider fees
- Curriculum development for sector-specific training
- Training materials, equipment, and lab costs
- Participant support services (transportation, childcare) for job seekers
- Partnership coordination and program administration (capped %)
- Credentialing and certification exam fees
Ineligible expenses
- Trainee or participant wages during training
- Training for employees outside Maryland
- Individual employer-only training (must serve multi-employer partnership)
- Administrative costs exceeding program cap
- Capital equipment for production use
How to apply
-
1
Form or join a Strategic Industry Partnership
Connect with other Maryland employers in your sector to form a SIP. Identify an intermediary organization (workforce board, trade association, non-profit) to serve as the lead applicant and fiscal agent. Individual employers cannot apply alone.
~10 hrs
-
2
Identify labor market gaps and training needs
The SIP conducts a structured analysis of skill gaps in the sector. Document which occupations have shortages, what credentials are needed, and how many workers will be trained or hired.
~15 hrs
-
3
Develop partnership application
The intermediary organization prepares the EARN Maryland competitive grant application. Includes partnership structure, training plan, credential pathways, expected outcomes (jobs created/retained, workers trained), and budget.
~20 hrs
-
4
Submit to Maryland Department of Labor
Intermediary submits the application to Maryland DOL during the competitive funding solicitation window. Proposals are reviewed and scored by a panel. Award announcements typically 2–3 months after close.
~2 hrs
-
5
Deliver training and report outcomes
If awarded, intermediary contracts with training providers and tracks participant outcomes. Quarterly reporting required. Performance benchmarks include number trained, credentials earned, and job placements/wage gains.
~20 hrs
Individual companies can't apply — you need a sector partnership with an intermediary lead. Contact your regional workforce board or trade association; they often already coordinate EARN Maryland partnerships you can join.
Deadline & timing
EARN Maryland operates through competitive funding rounds. An intermediary organization (workforce board, trade association, community college, or non-profit) applies on behalf of the sector partnership. Individual employers do not apply directly. Round frequency and amounts vary based on annual legislative appropriations.
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