Texas Talent Connection Grant Program

The Texas Talent Connection Grant Program, led by Governor Abbott, aims to foster innovation in workforce development. This initiative supports exemplary training projects that enhance job placement, wage increases, and job retention. Eligible partnerships include local workforce boards and educational institutions, which can apply for funding up to $350,000 annually for projects addressing workforce populations with special needs. Applicants must reapply yearly, with no guarantee of continued funding.

Governor Abbott’s initiative for working Texans makes clear the governor’s intention to create “an environment where entrepreneurs and workers have the freedom to aspire, to innovate, to grow, and to prosper.” This grant program seeks applications that support innovation in workforce development and that address the primary focus of this fund, which is to:
support exemplary workforce training projects that lead to job placement, increased wages, and job retention;deliver workforce services in more efficient and innovative ways; andprovide services to workforce populations with special needs.

Eligibility

Eligible partnerships for Texas Talent Connection grants for workforce training and services may include various combinations of local workforce boards, employers or employer organizations, institutions of higher education, faith-based organizations, local school districts, and not-for-profit community-based organizations.Key parameters associated with eligibility for this funding program include the following:Applicants may apply for funding for 12 months only.Applicants must reapply each year for additional funding consideration. There is no guarantee of an award in any year.Funding is generally limited to no more than $350,000 for any year.Successful applicants are eligible for additional annual awards for up to three years maximum, consecutive or otherwise, for essentially similar grant activities that demonstrate successful outcomes.All applications are subject to the general terms and conditions of this funding program, if awarded. Submission of an application confirms agreement with these terms.For any application that is to continue a project for a second or third year of grant funding, successful performance on the intended outcomes of the previous contract(s) will be taken into consideration.

Ineligibility

If a project has received three years of funding for similar grant activities and outcomes, the project is no longer eligible for funding.