Department of Labor grants

(a) Grants authorized (1) In General The Secretary of Labor shall award grants to eligible entities to support workforce training for workers most impacted by artificial intelligence. From the amounts appropriated under subsection (f), after reserving amounts under subsection (d), the Secretary of Labor shall award grants as described in subsection (b). (2) Consortia An eligible entity may apply for a grant under this section as part of a consortium of eligible entities. (3) Duration Grants awarded under this section shall be for a period of not less than 3 years and not more than 5 years. (4) Considerations In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall consider— (A) the information and recommendations included in the reports prepared under section 103; and (B) structural and other barriers facing specific demographic groups, as informed by the reports prepared under section 103. (5) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall give priority to eligible entities that are labor organizations representing workers in industries or occupations identified in the report under section 103(b)(2), or consortia of eligible entities that include such a labor organization. (b) Grant funds To serve individuals seriously affected by AI (1) Target population An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to serve individuals who have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and— (A) are employed in an industry or occupation projected, pursuant to the report under section 103(b)(2), to have the most growth in artificial intelligence use, which is likely to significantly impact the job opportunities or wages of workers; or (B) not earlier than 1 year prior to the date of enactment of this Act, involuntarily separated from an industry or occupation projected, pursuant to the report under section 103(b)(2), to have the most growth in artificial intelligence use, and are eligible for unemployment insurance. (2) Activities In serving the target population described in paragraph (1), an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds for 1 or more of the following purposes: (A) Providing training to such individuals, including skill certifications, or by supporting other programs that directly enable such individuals to enter high-skill, high-wage jobs in in-demand sectors, including emerging and advanced technology sectors. (B) Providing training to such individuals, including continuing education certificates or programs aiming— (i) to update workers’ skills related to advanced and emerging technology; and (ii) to support maintaining or advancing in high-skill, high-wage jobs in in-demand sectors, including emerging and advanced technology sectors. (c) Application requirements An eligible entity that desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary of Labor at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary of Labor may require, including, at a minimum each of the following: (1) A detailed description of project activities that will be carried out using grant funds, how such activities will serve the target population described in subsection (b)(1), and how such programs will support the growth of the 21st century workforce. (2) A detailed description of how the eligible entity will engage workers and utilize input from workers in the design of project activities. (3) A detailed description of how job quality and wage considerations, alongside skill development, have informed project activities. (4) A plan for continuous monitoring and evaluation of project activities. (5) A plan for effectively sustaining project activities after the grant period ends, and the length of time which the applicant plans to sustain the project activities. (6) An assurance to provide performance data, as described in subclause (I) through (VI) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)(i)). (d) National activities The Secretary of Labor may reserve not more than 2.5 percent of funds available for grants under this section for national activities, including technical assistance, evaluation, and dissemination. (e) Evaluations (1) In general In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Labor shall authorize third-party evaluations of grants awarded under this section to help build an evidence base of programs that advance a 21st century workforce. (2) Scalability; worker engagement The evaluations described in paragraph (1) shall assess— (A) the scalability of activities funded by the grants; and (B) the effectiveness of worker engagement in the design of project activities in improving training relevance, completion rates, and employment outcomes for the target population. (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.