Ohio TechCred Program
Ohio Department of Development
Up to $1,000/credential
Researched for this program: 5 rejection traps · 5 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Ohio pays for tech credentials — $1K/employee, $30K/round
Ohio reimburses employers up to $1,000 per employee per credential for industry-recognized, technology-focused credentials. No curriculum to design — employees earn approved credentials from any accredited provider; employer submits proof and is reimbursed. Up to $30,000 per employer per round. Applications accepted in multiple rounds per year (typically every 2–3 months).
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- Up to $1,000 per credential, $30,000 per application
- Realistic amount
- $5,000–$20,000 for most employers (3–15 employees credentialed per round)
- Deadline
- Most recent round ran October 1 to October 30, 2026 and has closed; the next application period has not been posted yet (check techcred.ohio.gov)
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- OH
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Employer must be registered to do business in Ohio
- Employees being credentialed must be Ohio residents employed by the applicant employer
- Credential must be on the Ohio TechCred approved credential list (technology-focused, industry-recognized, stackable)
- Employer applies BEFORE employees complete the credential — retroactive reimbursement not allowed
- Any industry eligible; credential must relate to technology skills (IT, cybersecurity, data, advanced manufacturing, healthcare IT, etc.)
- Employer must pay at least minimum wage to employees enrolled
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Tuition and fees for approved credential programs
- Exam fees for certification tests
- Online course fees from approved providers
- Registration fees for credential programs
Ineligible expenses
- Employee wages during training
- Credentials not on the TechCred approved list
- Training completed before TechCred application was approved
- Non-technology credentials (general business management, soft skills courses)
- Degrees that are not stackable credentials
How to apply
-
1
Select approved credentials
Browse the Ohio TechCred approved credential list at techcred.ohio.gov. Choose credentials relevant to your workforce needs. Credentials span IT, cybersecurity, data analytics, advanced manufacturing, healthcare technology, and more.
~2 hrs
-
2
Apply during the open round
Submit your application during an open TechCred round. Application requires employer information, employee names, and the specific credentials they will pursue. Apply BEFORE employees begin or complete training.
~3 hrs
-
3
Employees pursue and earn credentials
Employees enroll in and complete the approved credential program through any eligible training provider (community college, private trainer, online platform, etc.). Employer pays training costs upfront.
~1 hrs
-
4
Submit reimbursement documentation
After employees earn credentials, submit proof of completion (credential certificates) and proof of employer payment (invoices, receipts) through the TechCred portal. Ohio reimburses per completed credential.
~2 hrs
Apply before employees start training — retroactive applications are rejected. The approved credential list is large (hundreds of options) and updated regularly; check it before each round.
Deadline & timing
Ohio runs multiple TechCred application rounds per year (confirmed rounds in September 2025, November 2025, and July 2026 — approximately every 2–3 months). Applications open and close within a defined window (typically 2–4 weeks). Employers must apply before employees complete credentials — retroactive applications are not accepted. Check program site for current cycle status.
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Last updated October 31, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.