Maryland Offshore Wind Workforce Training & Education Program

 

​FY25 Program Now Accepting Applications

FY25 WF Program Overview Doc

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is excited to announce the Maryland Offshore Wind Workforce Training and Education Program (the Program) for Fiscal Year 2025. The Program provides grant funding on a competitive basis to support new or existing workforce training centers and academic institutions to expand their capabilities to support the State’s offshore wind workforce training and education efforts.  

Applications will be accepted until 3:00 PM ET, Friday, December 13, 2024. This Program offers competitive funding opportunities.

Proposed projects must provide general offshore wind educati​on or training for employment within the offshore wind industry in Maryland and the larger U.S. offshore wind market and related industries, including but not limited to technical trade skills and/or safety standards.  

MEA understands there are environmental impacts and climate risks that disproportionately impact historically disenfranchised groups and strongly encourages members of these groups to apply to the program.

Applicants that received grant funding from this Program in a previous fiscal year may receive additional grant funding from the FY 2025 Program. 

Eligible Applicants: The program is open to nonprofit organizations and academic institutions.

Eligible Activities: Activities eligible for funding under the Maryland Offshore Wind Workforce and Education Program are specific to each AOI and are listed in each AOI’s respective FOA.

Funding: A total of up to $3,000,000 is anticipated to be available, split between each AOI, described below. MEA at its discretion may reallocate funding between AOIs based upon demand, quality of applications, and availability. Each AOI includes additional funding restrictions and are explained in each AOI’s respective FOA.

  • AOI 1: Industry Education: $1,500,000

  • AOI 2: Workforce Training: ​$1,500,000
Area of Interest (AOI) 1: Industry Education

AOI 1 Description: Funds are provided under AOI 1 to help offset the capital and operating expenditures associated with developing or expanding and implementing offshore wind education programs. Funds under this AOI are intended to expand the general public’s knowledge and understanding of offshore wind energy and educate individuals on how to get involved in offshore wind as a career. Education projects under this AOI may be for any education level. See FOA 1 for full AOI details and requirements.

AOI 1 Documents: Please ensure that you have reviewed the AOI 1 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) prior to beginning an application. See below:

Area of Interest (AOI) 2: Workforce Training

AOI 2 Description: Funds are provided under AOI 2​ to support new or existing workforce training centers offset costs associated with developing or expanding an offshore wind workforce certification based training program.  Applications will be accepted until 3:00 P.M. ET, December 13, 2024 See FOA 2 for full AOI details and requirements.

AOI 2 Documents: Please ensure that you have reviewed the AOI 2 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) prior to beginning an application. See below:

Minimum Eligibility Criteria: Minimum Eligibility Criteria are specific to each AOI and are explained in each AOI’s respective FOA.

Evaluation Criteria: Evaluation Criteria are specific to each AOI and are explained in each AOI’s respective FOA.

Application Documents: Documents required to complete an application package are specific to each AOI, and information on how to prepare an application can be found in each AOI’s respective FOA

Grant Program General Provisions: MEA grant programs are covered by general requirements that will be made part of the grant agreement between MEA and a grantee. A copy of the General Provisions document is available on MEA’s website; this document will be incorporated into all MEA Fiscal Year 2025 grant agreements.

Submission Instructions: The Program utilizes an online application portal, Jotform, that all applicants are required to use when submitting grant applications. The online application portal is accessible through MEA’s website. MEA will not consider administratively incomplete applications. Applications must include all of the materials provided within “Application and Required Documents” detailed in each AOI’s respective FOA.

Interested applicants may submit questions, comments, concerns and/or suggestions to the following MEA staff members: 

Primary                 Alternate
Emma Stoney                 Layla Horeff
Energy Program Manager Energy Specialist
Wind and Water Program Wind and Water Program
Maryland Energy Administration Maryland Energy Administration 
410-382-1605                 667-401-4821​

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Contact

For questions, suggestions, or more information, please contact the MEA Wind Team via email at wind.mea@maryland.gov or phone at (410) 537-4000. Information submitted to MEA by postal mail may have processing delays and we encourage emails and phone calls when possible. ​