How much is an EARN Maryland workforce training grant?
Maryland Department of Labor — Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Up to $250,000/partnership
Researched for this program: 5 rejection traps · 6 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
EARN Maryland pays up to $250,000 per industry partnership to train workers, or up to $150,000 for a smaller plan, over as long as two years. A single company cannot apply alone: the partnership needs at least five employers from one industry.
EARN Maryland (Employment Advancement Right Now) is a state-funded, competitive workforce grant. It funds industry-led partnerships between employers and training providers to upskill incumbent workers and connect job seekers to middle-skill careers. Strategic industry partnerships apply collectively — not individual employers. Targets healthcare, manufacturing, construction, IT, and other high-demand sectors. Established 2014.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- Up to $150,000 (Tier I) or $250,000 (Tier II)
- Realistic amount
- Caps, not guarantees: $150,000 for a smaller plan, $250,000 for a larger one, over up to two years
- Deadline
- No solicitation is open now (awardees for the Spring and Fall 2026 Letter-of-Intent rounds are posted). EARN runs competitive rounds when funded; watch labor.maryland.gov/earn for the next solicitation.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- MD
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- One lead applicant acts as fiscal agent for the Strategic Industry Partnership (SIP): an employer, nonprofit, college, workforce board, industry association, union, local government or economic development group
- The SIP must include at least five employers from the same industry sector, plus at least two other partner organizations such as colleges, nonprofits or workforce boards
- Target population: unemployed/underemployed job seekers AND incumbent workers in Maryland
- Sector must be a high-demand Maryland industry with documented skill gaps
- Five or more employer members; larger multi-employer partnerships are encouraged
- Training must lead to credentials, certifications, or career advancement in the target sector
More questions about EARN Maryland
Who can apply for EARN Maryland?
A partnership of employers in one industry, applying through one lead organization. The partnership needs at least five employers and at least two other partners, such as a college, nonprofit, union or workforce board. The lead applicant is the fiscal agent and can be an employer, a nonprofit, a college, a local workforce board, an industry association or a local government. The training has to serve Maryland workers, both people without jobs and workers already employed.
Can one business get an EARN Maryland grant on its own?
No. The program funds industry partnerships, not single companies. A business can lead a partnership or join one, and the grant pays for the partnership’s shared training plan. If you run one shop, the practical first step is to ask your regional workforce board or trade association whether a partnership in your industry already exists.
How long does an EARN Maryland grant last?
Up to two years. In the latest solicitation, grants ran for as long as two years, and applicants could ask for a shorter period and a smaller budget. The department strongly recommends that training start within the first three months. Payment depends on the state releasing its appropriation for the program, so a round can be smaller or larger from year to year.
How much does Maryland set aside for each round?
In the latest solicitation, the state planned about $4 million for Tier I plans (up to $150,000 each) and about $2.5 million for Tier II plans (up to $250,000 each). The department says the number of awards and the amounts depend on how many strong proposals arrive and on the funds available at the time. The caps are ceilings, not guaranteed amounts.
What if no EARN round is open?
Rounds open only when the state funds them, so the answer is to wait and watch. Use the watch form below or the department’s EARN page. In the meantime, workforce training grants that are open now and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for hiring from target groups can cover part of the same cost. Maryland businesses can also browse Maryland small business grants.
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Tuition and training provider fees
- Curriculum development for sector-specific training
- Training materials, equipment, and lab costs
- Participant support services (transportation, childcare) for job seekers
- Partnership coordination and program administration (capped %)
- Credentialing and certification exam fees
Ineligible expenses
- Trainee or participant wages during training
- Training for employees outside Maryland
- Individual employer-only training (must serve multi-employer partnership)
- Administrative costs exceeding program cap
- Capital equipment for production use
How to apply
-
1
Form or join a Strategic Industry Partnership
Connect with other Maryland employers in your sector to form a SIP. Choose one member as lead applicant and fiscal agent: an employer, workforce board, trade association, college or nonprofit can all serve. A single employer cannot apply alone.
~10 hrs
-
2
Identify labor market gaps and training needs
The SIP conducts a structured analysis of skill gaps in the sector. Document which occupations have shortages, what credentials are needed, and how many workers will be trained or hired.
~15 hrs
-
3
Develop partnership application
The lead applicant prepares the EARN Maryland competitive grant application. Includes partnership structure, training plan, credential pathways, expected outcomes (jobs created/retained, workers trained), and budget.
~20 hrs
-
4
Submit to Maryland Department of Labor
The lead applicant submits the application to Maryland DOL during the competitive funding solicitation window. Proposals are reviewed and scored by a panel. Award announcements typically 2–3 months after close.
~2 hrs
-
5
Deliver training and report outcomes
If awarded, the lead applicant contracts with training providers and tracks participant outcomes. Quarterly reporting required. Performance benchmarks include number trained, credentials earned, and job placements/wage gains.
~20 hrs
A single company can't apply: you need a partnership of at least five employers in your industry. Contact your regional workforce board or trade association; they often already coordinate EARN Maryland partnerships you can join.
Deadline & timing
EARN Maryland operates through competitive funding rounds. One lead applicant (an employer, workforce board, trade association, college or nonprofit) applies on behalf of the sector partnership. A single employer does not apply alone. Round frequency and amounts vary based on annual legislative appropriations.
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