Offshore Wind Works - Workforce Training & Development Grants

The Challenge: Create an Offshore Wind Workforce

While offshore wind projects in southern New England are navigating near-term challenges, MassCEC remains committed to supporting projects currently under construction and positioning the Commonwealth to be well situated for the industry when headwinds curtail. Through this RFP, MassCEC seeks to prepare and advance Massachusetts' current and future offshore wind workforce to ensure a qualified, well-trained, safe and equitable workforce to plan, build, operate, and maintain offshore wind projects into the future. Offshore construction activities have been underway in the region since 2022, and sustained offshore workforce readiness remains essential to the success and reliability of these projects.

About Offshore Wind Works

By supporting a network of training providers, academic institutions, community-based organizations and more, Offshore Wind Works (OSWW) is expanding the Commonwealth’s capacity to develop a Massachusetts workforce that can plan, deploy, operate, and maintain offshore wind farms in southern New England, as well as support the manufacturing of offshore wind components and its related supply chain. OSWW provides support for other types of workforce development projects, including training programs, career awareness programs, programs with equity and inclusion elements, and studies related to workforce development or worker safety in the offshore wind industry.

Who's Eligible

Applicants may be an individual company, organization, or institution, or may be a team of such entities. Applicants are encouraged to engage with, partner with, and/or demonstrate support from the offshore wind industry, including developers and other companies, and/or Massachusetts-based training or educational providers with existing programs. The lead applicant must fall into at least one of the following categories:

A community-based nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status and located in Massachusetts
A public government entity
An accredited Massachusetts school
An accredited Massachusetts higher education institution offering two- or four-year degrees
A local labor union
An established private workforce training provider or other private company doing business in Massachusetts in partnership with an organization, entity, school, institution, or union that falls under one of the categories listed above.

Closed

Program Area

Offshore Wind

Workforce

Questions? Contact

Funding Schedule

Proposals are due via email to offshorewind@masscec.com by April 17, 2026, 11:59 PM ET.

Process Step	Timing
Release of RFP on MassCEC website	March 2, 2026
Informational Webinar	March 17, 2026 at 11:00am
Q&A Period (Questions posed via email to offshorewind@masscec.com)	Ending April 6, 2026
Questions with Answers Posted to MassCEC Website	April 10, 2026
Proposals Due	April 17, 2026 by 11:59PM ET
Notification of Award	June 2026
Contracting Process	Summer/Fall 2026

All dates subject to change at MassCEC's discretion

Apply

Application Process

Please submit your complete application to offshorewind@masscec.com with the subject line "2026 Offshore Wind Workforce RFP Application."

Application Materials

Offshore Wind Works RFP

Attachment A - Portfolio Assessment Report

Attachment B - Existing OSWW Projects

Attachment C - Authorized Signature Form

Attachment D - Application Form

Attachment E - Sample Agreement

Webinar

On March 17, MassCEC held an informational webinar for the 2026 Offshore Wind Works grant funding opportunity. The webinar provided background, addressed project types, eligibility, and application requirements.

Offshore Wind Works webinar slides

Networking

MassCEC is committed to nurturing the offshore wind workforce development ecosystem in the Commonwealth. MassCEC is open to assisting potential applicants with networking and is happy to help make connections between organizations whenever possible.

Interested parties should reach out to offshorewind@masscec.com and outline your request.

You can read about past awardees and their projects at Offshore Wind Works Grants and Community of Practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Offshore Wind Works: 2026 Offshore Wind Workforce Grants Response to Questions

1. Can an organization apply for both a Strand A grant and a Strand B grant, or are they limited to one or the other?

An organization is limited to receiving one grant as the lead applicant under this grant opportunity. You may submit an application that combines elements of multiple strands; however, the total request may not exceed the preferred maximum award amount of the higher-funded strand.

2. Can you tell us what the project term is for the Offshore Wind Works grants?

There is no preferred duration for the project proposals under this RFP. The duration should make sense for the proposed project and the budget being requested. Generally, MassCEC recommends the term not exceed two (2) years, however we will consider proposals that clearly justify their reasoning for an extended term.

3. Does the lead applicant entity need to be based in MA or can organizations based in other states apply as well?

While co-applicants may be from outside the Commonwealth, the lead applicant must be a Massachusetts-based entity.

Lead applicant eligibility is outlined in Section V of the Solicitation. Lead applicants must fall into at least one of the following categories:

A community-based nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status and located in Massachusetts;
A public government entity;
An accredited Massachusetts school;
An accredited Massachusetts higher education institution offering two (2) or four (4) year degrees;
A local labor union; or
An established private workforce training provider or other private company doing business in Massachusetts in partnership with an organization, entity, school, institution, or union that falls under one of the categories listed above. While the primary geographic area of focus for the Solicitation is Massachusetts, MassCEC recognizes the regional nature of the local workforce, with workers residing in one state but working and/or seeking employment in a neighboring state. Thus, MassCEC will consider projects that foster offshore wind workforce collaboration with neighboring states.

FAQs continues...

4. Would expenses incurred to train instructors and obtain certification of a standardized training program be covered by Strand B, or should that be submitted under Strand A?

An applicant who intends to procure equipment and train instructors to stand up a standardized training program should submit a combined Strand A and Strand B proposal (see the response to Question 1).

5. Are travel expenses incurred in the course of the proposed Project eligible to be included in the Project budget?

Assuming reasonable expenses such as economy airfare and modest lodging accommodations, specific travel expenses incurred in the course of the proposed Project are eligible to be included in the project budget. Applicants should be specific in their proposal about what travel expenses are required for project completion and are thus eligible for reimbursement.

6. If a proposal includes multiple partners or a subawardee, will the maximum potential award be increased?

Including partners or subawardees does not raise the maximum preferred award amounts. While MassCEC may choose to grant more than the preferred maximum, applicants must provide strong justification to support such a request.

7. Can additional partners be added to a Project after a grant is awarded?

Yes. While MassCEC would strongly prefer to receive proposals that present a full and complete picture of the Project, additional partners may be brought into the Project after a Project has begun. Allowing for the addition of Project Partners can be included in the grant agreement or can be done through an amendment after the fact.

8. Will this opportunity re-open next year, or is this a one-time grant program?

Offshore Wind Works has been an annual funding opportunity for the past five years. MassCEC currently intends to offer the grant opportunity again in 2027. To see a list of grantees from previous years, please see our Offshore Wind Works Grants and Community of Practice page.