EARN Maryland — Employment Advancement Right Now
Maryland Department of Labor — Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Up to $500,000/partnership
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.
Programs that stack well
Related programs
Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.