
The Challenge: Expand equitable access to career and business opportunities in climate-critical fields
A robust, well-trained, and inclusive workforce is vital to achieving and sustaining the Commonwealth’s climate goals. Organizations that deliver career awareness, training, or business support programs can ensure that Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), fossil fuel workers, and individuals from Environmental Justice (EJ) Neighborhoods, low-income communities, or federally recognized or state-acknowledged tribes benefit from equitable access to climate-critical workforce opportunities. However, delivering such programs requires planning and resources that these organizations may not have.
About Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants
Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants provide up to $50,000 for up to 12 months for planning needed to develop a program plan ready for implementation or up to $150,000 for up to two years for capacity building (expanding staff, solidifying essential partnerships, developing content and curriculum design, etc.) to start or expand a clean energy equity workforce program. In addition to direct funding, planning and capacity grantees receive technical assistance support from MassCEC to facilitate targeted networking, expanded partnerships, stronger program design, and effective practices for achieving outcomes.
Funding Schedule
Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants are available on a rolling basis until June 30, 2023. While responses will be accepted until the June 30 deadline, applications submitted by the priority reading dates will be read and reviewed on a more expedited timeline. Applications will be reviewed until funding is expended.
Process Step |
Timing |
---|---|
RFP Release |
March 29, 2023 |
Questions Due to MassCEC via workforce@masscec.com |
Ongoing |
Questions with Answers Posted to MassCEC Website |
Ongoing |
Pre-Application Webinar |
April 18 at 12 noon |
Pre-Application Office Hours |
See dates and times |
Applications Due |
Accepted on a rolling basis until 11:59 pm on June 30, 2023 |
Priority Review Dates for MassCEC |
Received by April 26: reviewed by wk of May 1; |
Interviews of Applicants (as needed) |
TBD |
Notification of Award |
Approximately 6-8 weeks after submission |
Who's Eligible
Single organizations or partnerships are eligible to apply. If multiple parties are applying jointly, one party should take on the role of Lead Applicant.
The following entities are eligible to serve as a Lead Applicant:
- Community-based organizations, such as community action partnerships, environmental justice organizations, neighborhood revitalization organizations, advocacy groups, affordable housing providers or developers, and non-profits
- Post-secondary educational institutions, K-12 school districts, comprehensive and vocational high schools, middle schools, and vocational schools offering a Career Technical Initiative evening training program
- For-profit entities such as for-profit training companies, trade associations, unions, or other coalitions of businesses and clean energy businesses
- Federally Recognized and State-Acknowledged Tribes
- Workforce development organizations, either non-profit or for-profit
- Massachusetts Workforce Investment Boards and Career Centers/MassHire Organizations
Apply
Application Process
To apply:
- Review the Equity Workforce Training Planning and Capacity Grant Request For Proposals (RFP).
- Review all RFP forms and attachments.
- Attend MassCEC informational webinars and/or use other informational resources offered.
- Contact MassCEC with questions or to discuss your ideas via at workforce@masscec.com.
- Complete all RFP forms and attachments according to instructions.
- Submit all completed RFP forms and attachments by email to workforce@masscec.com by 11:59 pm on June 30, 2023, with "Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grant Application" in the subject line.
For full Program details, please refer to the RFP.
Application Materials
Send completed application to workforce@masscec.com
Pre-Application Office Hours
Drop-in office hours to discuss your proposals and network with potential applicants:
April 20, 2023 at 5:30 pm - Join Meeting
April 25, 2023 at 12 noon - Join Meeting
May 2, 2023 at 12 noon - Join Meeting
May 9, 2023 at 12 noon - Join Meeting
May 17, 2023 at 12 noon - Join Meeting
May 25, 2023 at 5:30 pm - Join Meeting
May 30, 2023 at 12 noon - Join Meeting
Pre-Application Webinar
On April 18, 2023, MassCEC held a webinar about the Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants RFP, including eligibility, budget, and the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs were last updated on May 23, 2023.
Questions are accepted and answers will be posted on a rolling basis. Submit questions to workforce@masscec.com.
Other Resources
MassCEC will look favorably on applications that propose data-driven approaches and leverage pre-existing resources from the robust workforce development and clean energy sectors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Applicants are advised to use the following and additional resources to inform their applications:
Labor Statistics
Clean Energy Sector
Job Training & Workforce Development
Commonwealth Corporation Available Funding Opportunities
MassHire Regional Workforce Skills Planning Initiative
MassHire State Workforce Board
MA Division of Apprentice Standards
The Boston Foundation SkilWorks Project Catapult on next generation workforce development

Small Business Enterprises/MWBEs
Networking
MassCEC is compiling a list of potential applicants interested in networking and partnerships for the open Workforce Equity grants. View the list here.
Sign up to the partnership list by sending your contact name, contact info, type of organization, and focus sector to workforce@masscec.com.