The state of Illinois has opened a $24 million Notice of Funding Opportunity to build six Manufacturing Training Academies (MTA) at community colleges statewide. Applications are due by April 30, 2026.
The MTA program will help establish workforce training facilities at downtown community colleges, laying out the foundation to develop and advance the state’s manufacturing operations and industries listed in the Illinois Economic Growth Plan. Targeted industries include:
- Life Sciences.
- Quantum Computing, AI and Microelectronics.
- Clean Energy Production and Manufacturing.
- Advanced Manufacturing.
- Next Generation Agriculture, Ag Tech and Food Processing.
Recipients will use the funding to build facilities and buy durable equipment required to establish the MTAs. Using the new facilities, colleges will further develop manufacturing workforce training programs and specialized courses to support the industry’s evolving workforce needs.
Entities will receive up to $6 million per project, depending on whether the recipient qualifies for Tier 1 or Tier 2 awards. Tier 1 grants will go toward smaller community college districts lacking the resources or enrollment to support large-scale initiatives. Tier 2 grants will have a broader scope for eligible colleges.
The state will issue awards until either the application window closes or funding is exhausted. While entities may apply for both tiers, they will only be selected to receive awards for one. To be considered eligible, applicants must:
- Be a Community College District included in the NOFO’s Central or Southern Region list.
- Have a valid FEIN number.
- Have a current SAM.gov registration.
- Have a valid UEI number.
- Not be on the Federal Excluded Parties List.
- Be in Good Standing with the Illinois Secretary of State.
- Not be on the Illinois Stop Payment list.
- Not be on the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Provider Sanctions list.
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