How to apply for 2026 RESTART grants: $81 million for return-to-work training and registered apprenticeships
The U.S. Department of Labor announced approximately $81 million in grants to help people return to their communities after incarceration. The funding will be provided through the Replacement Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships and Training (RESTART) program. These grants are designed to help formerly incarcerated individuals obtain job training, gain work experience and find employment in skilled trades and other in-demand areas.
“Through our Reopening Plan, the Department of Labor is giving Americans with criminal backgrounds the opportunity to learn the skills they need and find mortgage lending jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-Dremer.
“The Trump Administration remains committed to building a skilled workforce that will drive our economy into the future and help every American worker become self-sufficient,” he added.
Who does the RESTART initiative support?
The RESTART program supports workforce preparation and employment for three groups: youth ages 15 to 17, young adults ages 18 to 24, and adults 25 and older. Funding will be provided to eligible organizations to create programs that train ex-offenders for high-demand jobs in the United States and help them become productive members of the U.S. economy.
The grants will support projects such as pre-apprenticeship training, practical work training, artificial intelligence and digital skills courses, access to work certificates and paid work experience. The main goal is to help participants join a registered apprenticeship program. Priority will be given to groups specializing in shipbuilding and those working with registered apprenticeship sponsors.
The Department of Labor plans to support up to 20 RESTART projects across the country. Approximately $30 million will be donated to national or regional organizations that serve youth and young adults, with each award up to $5.1 million. The remaining funds will be allocated to states, territories and tribes for state-led projects related to the public workforce system under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These projects will use existing workforce systems to help continue the program even after the grant period ends.
Steps and important dates for applying for a grant
Organizations interested in applying should follow these steps:
Step one: Register through the official website, grants.gov.
Step 2: Find “Open Funding Opportunities” on the website.
Step 3: Learn about applying and check eligibility
Step 4: Develop applications by preparing and completing all required parts of the application.
Step 5: Submit an application and be evaluated. Complete application sent for review and evaluation.
Step 6: If funded, funding is managed through GrantSolutions.
The funding opportunity announcement was released on February 25, 2026, with the last application date being April 15, 2026.
