AI Upskill Accelerator Pilot Program

The AI Upskill Accelerator Pilot Program is a one-time U.S. Economic Development Administration competition for industry-driven partnerships that can train workers in practical AI skills. It sits under the EDA's broader regional economic development remit and draws on the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Act authority tied to the White House AI Action Plan. The program uses grants of $1 million to $8 million, with about $25 million expected to support 5 to 8 awards. Projects run 24 to 36 months, training must begin within one year of award, and the federal share can cover no more than 60 percent of project costs. Applicants must meet EDA Special Need criteria, use the EDGE submission system, and include real training implementation rather than design work alone. The eligible applicant mix favors nonprofits, universities, and research organizations; for-profit applicants are not eligible. This is a strong match for sectoral partnerships that combine industry, workforce bodies, and higher education around a regional labor need. The most persuasive proposals will show how the training leads to completion and job access, how outcomes will be tracked, and why the effort matters to the region's economy. Because the program is a pilot, practical execution carries more weight than broad strategy language.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.