Workforce Accelerator Fund 10 – Request for Applications

The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), in coordination with the Employment Development Department (EDD), are pleased to announce the availability of up to $10.5 million in Department of Labor, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds to design, develop, and implement projects that will drive equitable recovery with quality jobs and accelerate employment and re-employment for California workers.

What is the Workforce Accelerator Fund?

In April 2014, the CWDB and EDD established the Workforce Accelerator Fund (Accelerator) as a new initiative for driving innovation in California’s workforce system.  Since April 2014, just over $32 million has been invested, resulting in over 170 projects across the state.

Traditional workforce funding streams can be rigid. The intent of the Accelerator is to allow the flexibility to bridge current gaps in the workforce system in ways that mobilize existing funding streams for greater employment impacts.

The goal of Accelerator 10 is to impact economic and racial equity by creating pathways to good quality jobs for workers from disadvantaged or low-income communities.  Traditional workforce and education strategies have had an inadequate impact. Even promising strategies lack the speed, agility, or scale needed to accelerate employment for workers desperately in need of good jobs. 

Funding Source Information

The Workforce Accelerator Fund is supported by the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) in coordination with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) with Department of Labor funding totaling $10,500,000. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

It is the responsibility of the Subrecipient (the entity awarded) to become well-versed with WIOA Title 1 and the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 2 (Uniform Guidance), so that they are able to responsibly operate and manage the grant program in order to meet WIOA requirements. This will be the sole responsibility of the Subrecipient. It is highly recommended that organizational staff capacity exist prior to accepting funds in order to successfully support this work and have adequate administrative support.

It is the responsibility of the CWDB to make sure interested applicants are aware of the funding source and its requirements to ensure project and program success. To help prepare potential applicants on the expectations if awarded funds under this grant program, which are defined by WIOA Law, refer to Section 5: Administrative and Additional Requirements in the Accelerator 10 RFA.

Applying for Accelerator 10

• Workforce Accelerator Fund 10 Request for Application (RFA)
• Cal-E-Grants Online Application

Cal-E-Grants Resources

• Cal-E-Grants Registration and Application Walk Through Slide Deck (from 11/10)
• Cal-E-Grants – Application Submittal Walk Through Slide Deck (from 11/15)
• Cal-E-Grants Help Cards

  Below are Reference Guides for using Cal E-Grants to apply for Workforce Accelerator 10:

  • New User Registration
  • Manage Users
  • New Project Application
  • Impact Project Application
  • Technical Assistance Application
  • Edit Application
  • Print Application

Important Dates

Cal-E-Grants Training Webinar
Monday, November 15, 2021, 1:30PM – 3:00PM (PST)

This webinar will provide an overview of the user registration and application submittal screens for the Accelerator Grant.

Accelerator 10 Application Workshop & Live Q & A
Thursday, November 18, 2021, 1:00PM – 2:30PM (PST)

This presentation will focus on the purpose of Accelerator 10 and what interested applicants should know and prepare for when applying for WIOA funds. A Live Q & A will follow the workshop/presentation where interested applicants can ask CWDB staff questions on funding intent, LOI, and application process and receive real-time answers.

Q & A from this session will be included in the 11/23 Weekly Q & A.

Register for the Application Workshop & Live Q & A by 5:00PM November 16. Registered attendees will receive webinar information and access on November 17.

Applications Due
Wednesday, December 22, 2021, 3:00PM (PST)*
*In an effort to support the transition to the online application for Accelerator 10 and accounting for technical issues that have come up, the California Workforce Development Board is extending the Accelerator 10 application to this Wednesday, 12/22/2021, 3:00PM PST (the original deadline was 12/20/2021).

Award Announcement
By March 2022

Grant Term
June 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023 (18-Months)

Weekly Q & A

Accelerator 10 Q&A – 12/14/2021 Posting

Accelerator 10 Q&A – 12/7/2021 Posting

Accelerator 10 Q&A – 11/30/2021 Posting

Accelerator 10 Q&A – 11/23/2021 Posting

Q & A will be posted weekly, each Tuesday, starting November 23. Posting dates will be 11/23, 11/30, 12/7, and 12/14.

Questions must be received each Thursday by 3:00 PM (PST) to be included in Tuesday’s weekly posting. Questions received after 3:00 PM on Thursday will be included in the following week’s Q & A.

The last Q & A posting will be 12/14 and questions must be received by Thursday, 12/9, 3:00PM. Questions submitted after the deadline on 12/9 will not be included in the Q & A.