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OpenState programOpen to for-profit businesses

UPSKILL: NJ Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program (FY2027)

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce DevelopmentCloses Jan 8, 2027(80 days left)Up to $250,000

Summary

New Jersey employers (single or in a consortium) can be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of training full-time frontline staff (classroom, OJT or in-house), up to $250,000 per round. Round 2: letter of intent by Jan 8, 2027, application by Feb 24, 2027.

About this grant

UPSKILL gives New Jersey-based employers up to 50% cost reimbursement for training current frontline employees through third-party classroom, on-the-job or company in-house training (OJT and in-house training are reimbursed at 50% of trainees' base wages). Single employers and consortiums may qualify for up to $250,000 per round from a $7,000,000 FY2027 pool split into two rounds. Round 1 applications were due October 28, 2026 from applicants that filed a letter of intent by September 23; for Round 2 the letter of intent is due January 8, 2027 (noon) and the IGX application February 24, 2027 (noon).

Who can apply

  • Small businesses
  • For-profit companies
  • Nonprofits
  • State and local governments
  • Colleges and universities

Single employers seeking to train their employees in skills needed for jobs in all industry sectors; employees must have worked full-time with the employer for at least six months

Employer, labor, community-based or faith-based organizations, schools, colleges or training providers may apply for an industry-specific consortium of employers; government and public entities are also eligible

Open only to New Jersey-based employers; individual and consortium grants require a minimum of 5 trainees per class

Seasonal, temporary, part-time, commission-based, 1099 and new-hire positions are not eligible

Tax clearance certificate required; must commit to retain trainees for at least six months after training

No more than one application per round (two per fiscal year) from the same applicant

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Workforce
  • Training

Money can be used for

  • Training
  • Upskilling

Program contact

upskill@dol.nj.gov

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