Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant Archive
Review archived GPAs here:
Expanded Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant Program
Technical Education Equipment Grant Program Announcement (EF241) – March 5, 2024 (PDF)
Open to: The purpose of the grant is to reimburse school districts for the purchase and installation costs of technical education equipment used in vocational training and technical education in advanced manufacturing fields, including costs for equipment operation software and instructional materials to train students.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $50,000.
Match: Match equal to 200 percent of requested funds is required
Technical Education Equipment Grant Program Announcement (EF234) – October 12, 2023 (PDF)
Open to: The purpose of the grant is to reimburse school districts for the purchase and installation costs of technical education equipment used in vocational training and technical education in advanced manufacturing fields, including costs for equipment operation software and instructional materials to train students.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $50,000.
Match: Match equal to 200 percent of requested funds is required
Technical Education Equipment Grant Program Announcement (EF231) – March 1, 2023 (PDF)
Open to: The purpose of the grant is to reimburse school districts for the purchase and installation costs of technical education equipment used in vocational training and technical education in advanced manufacturing fields, including costs for equipment operation software and instructional materials to train students.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $50,000.
Match: Match equal to 200 percent of requested funds is required
Technical Education Equipment Grant Program Announcement (EF224) – October 6, 2022 (PDF)
Open to: The purpose of the grant is to reimburse school districts for the purchase and installation costs of technical education equipment used in vocational training and technical education in advanced manufacturing fields, including costs for equipment operation software and instructional materials to train students.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $50,000.
Match: Match equal to 200 percent of requested funds is required
Technical Education Equipment Grant Program Announcement (EF222) – April 12, 2022 (PDF)
Open to: The purpose of the grant is to reimburse school districts for the purchase and installation costs of technical education equipment used in vocational training and technical education in advanced manufacturing fields, including costs for equipment operation software and instructional materials to train students.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $50,000.
Match: Match equal to 200 percent of requested funds is required
Teacher Training and Recruitment Grants for Non-Profits Grant Program Announcement (EF221) – January 21, 2022 (PDF)
Open to: Eligible applicants were 501©(3) or 501©(4) non-profit organizations. The purpose of the grant funds was for activities related to recruiting, training, and licensing of teachers to meet DPI guidelines in low-income and/or urban school districts.
Grant Amount: Grant awards may be up to $500,000.
Technical Education Equipment Grant Program Announcement (EF221) – January 14, 2022 (PDF)
Open to: The purpose of the grant is to reimburse school districts for the purchase and installation costs of technical education equipment used in vocational training and technical education in advanced manufacturing fields, including costs for equipment operation software and instructional materials to train students.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $50,000.
Match: Match equal to 200 percent of requested funds is required
Technical Education Equipment Grant Program Announcement (EF214) – October 24, 2021 (PDF)
Open to: The purpose of the grant is to reimburse school districts for the purchase and installation costs of technical education equipment used in vocational training and technical education in advanced manufacturing fields, including costs for equipment operation software and instructional materials to train students.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $50,000.
Match: Match equal to 200 percent of requested funds is required
Technical Education Equipment Grants (PDF)
Open to: This expanded WFF grant program is open to applications from Wisconsin school districts that can demonstrate that the Career and Technical Education program for which they are purchasing and installing advanced manufacturing equipment.
Amount: Up to $1,000,000 is available
Match: Match equal to 200 percent of requested funds is required
Workforce Training in County Jail Facilities (PDF)
Open to: This expanded WFF grant program is only available to Wisconsin based county jails, Workforce Development Boards, and community-based workforce development entities or private organizations partnering with a local Workforce Development Board, community workforce development partner, or employer.
Amount: Up to $75,000 is available in the 2020 fiscal year.
Match: No match required
Shipbuilders Training Grants (PDF)
Open to: This expanded WFF grant program is only available to Wisconsin shipbuilders with 1,500 or more employees that design and construct vessels 40 feet in length or greater for commercial or government use that is operating a shipyard facility geographically located in Wisconsin.
Amount: Up to $1,000,000 is available in the 2020 fiscal year
Match: No match required
Teacher Training and Recruitment Grants for Non-profits (PDF)
Open to: Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) or (c)(4) non-profit under the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a).
Amount: $1,000,000 available for awards
Match: No Match required
Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Equipment Grant Program
Applicants:Wisconsin School Districts
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $2:$1 ($2 applicant / $1 WFF)
Reentry Initiatives Grant Program
Eligible Applicants: Only government entities representing the Wisconsin 37-state correctional institutions
Award amount: Up to $400,000
Match: None
Teacher Training and Development Grant
Eligible Applicants: School districts, school boards, or a governing body of a public, private or charter school
Award amount: $5,000 to $250,000
Match: None
Technical College System Grant Program: November 2018
Company size: any
Award amount: Up to $250,000
Match: None
Commute to Careers - Flexible Transportation Solutions for Wisconsin Workers
Applicants: Program Grants - private employers, non-profits, or consortiums of employers, non-profits and organizations that serve people with disabilities; Vehicle Grants - Non-profit and local public bodies (including tribes)
Award amount: Program Grants - $5,000,000; Vehicle Grants - $3,000,000
Match: $0.20:$1.00 ($0.20 applicant / $1.00 WFF/WisDOT)
High School Student Certifications
Grants to Technical Colleges to Certify High School Students in Industry-Recognized High Demand Fields
Applicants: Wisconsin Technical Colleges
Award amount: $5,000 to $100,000
Teacher Training Development Grant
Grants awarded under this GPA are intended to increase the number of licensed teachers in Wisconsin Schools.
Applicants: Wisconsin School Boards, Districts, Governing Body of a Private School, or Charter Management Organization
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Equipment Grant Program
Applicants: Wisconsin School Districts
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $2:$1 ($2 applicant / $1 WFF)
High School Student Certifications
Grants to Technical Colleges to Certify High School Students in Industry-Recognized High Demand Fields
Applicants: Wisconsin Technical Colleges
Award amount: $5,000 to $100,000
Match: $0.50:$1.00 ($0.50 applicant / $1.00 WFF)
Employee Resource Network Pilot Grant Program
Applicants: Partnerships of Wisconsin employers, economic development agencies, Wisconsin Technical Colleges or other workforce support organizations
Award amount: Up to $250,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Training Teachers to Teach in Dual Enrollment Programs
Applicants: Wisconsin Technical Colleges
Award amount: $25,000 to $300,000
Nursing Training in Middle and High Schools RFP
WFF announces a $1,500,000 Request for Proposals (RFP) for a community-based organization to build a public-private partnership to
provide nursing training to middle and high school students. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), through its
Procurement Unit (Procurement), requests proposals to establish a contract for nursing training. Up to $1.5 million is available
to expose middle and high school students to the nursing profession and provide training for interested students. A grant or grants
will be awarded to a Community-Based Organization.
Applicants: Community-Based Organizations
Award amount: Up to $1,500,000
Teacher Training/Recruitment for LI/Urban School Districts RFP
WFF announces a $500,000 request for proposals for teacher recruitment, training and placement in urban or low-income school districts. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), through its Procurement Unit (Procurement), requests proposals to establish a contract for teacher training and recruitment. Up to $500,000 is available to recruit and prepare individuals to teach in low-income or urban school districts. One grant will be awarded to a 501(c)(3) or (4) non-profit as defined by the IRS.
2023 GPAs
Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants (Standard WFF) (FF233) – October 30, 2023 (PDF)
Open to: The Grant Program Announcement (GPA) was open to all industry sectors.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $400,000 per Grantee.
Match: Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the amount of the grant award was required.
Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants (Standard WFF) (FF231) – January 10, 2023 (PDF)
Open to: The Grant Program Announcement (GPA) was open to all industry sectors.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $400,000 per Grantee.
Match: Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the amount of the grant award was required.
2022 GPAs
Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants (Standard WFF) (FF224) – October 12, 2022 (PDF)
Open To: The Grant Program Announcement (GPA) was open to all industry sectors.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $400,000 per Grantee.
Match: Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the amount of the grant award was required.
Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants (Standard WFF) (FF223) – August 8, 2022 (PDF)
Open to: The Grant Program Announcement (GPA) was open to all industry sectors.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $400,000 per Grantee.
Match: Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the amount of the grant award was required.
Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants (Standard WFF) (FF221) – March 1, 2022 (PDF)
Open to: The Grant Program Announcement (GPA) was open to all industry sectors.
Grant Amount: Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $400,000 per Grantee.
Match: Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the amount of the grant award was required.
2021 GPAs
Workforce Training in County Jail Facilities (PDF)
Open to: This expanded WFF grant program is only available to Wisconsin based county jails, Workforce Development Boards, and community-based workforce development entities or private organizations partnering with a local Workforce Development Board, community workforce development partner, or employers.
Amount: Up to $75,000 is available in the 2021 fiscal year.
Match: No match required
(FF211**1) - Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants (PDF)
Open to: This Grant Program Announcement (GPA) is open to all industry sectors.
Amount: Up to approximately $3 million is being made available for this GPA.
Grant Amount: Grant awards range from $5,000 to $400,000 per Grantee.
Match: Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the amount of the grant award is required.
(FF212**1) - Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants (PDF)
Open to: This Grant Program Announcement (GPA) is open to all industry sectors.
Amount: Up to approximately $2 million is being made available for this GPA.
Grant Amount: Grant awards range from $5,000 to $400,000 per Grantee.
Match: Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the amount of the grant award is required.
2020 GPAs
(FF204**1) - Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants (PDF)
Open to: This Grant Program Announcement (GPA) is open to all industry sectors.
Amount: Up to approximately $4 million is being made available for this GPA.
Grant Amount: Grant awards range from $5,000 to $400,000 per Grantee.
Match: Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the amount of the grant award is required.
(FF201**1) - Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants (PDF)
Open to: This Grant Program Announcement (GPA) is open to all industry sectors.
Amount: Up to approximately $4 million is being made available for this GPA.
Grant Amount: Grant awards range from $5,000 to $400,000 per Grantee.
Match: Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the amount of the grant award is required.
2019 GPAs
Worker Training Grants for All Sectors
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for Small Business Occupations
Company size: 50 full-time employees or less
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $ .50:$1 ($ .50 applicant / $1 WFF)
Wisconsin Fast Forward Jump Start
Worker training grants for entry level positions
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $200,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
2018 GPAs
Accelerated Wisconsin Fast Forward Jump Start
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $200,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for All Sectors: April 2018
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for Small Business Occupations: April 2018
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $.50:$1 ($.50 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for All Sectors: (FF181**1)
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for Small Business Occupations: (FF181BS1)
Company size: 50 full-time employees or less
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $ .50:$1 ($ .50 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for the City of Racine
Company size: any
Special Requirement: The application must include at least one employer with a city of Racine location with a stated commitment to hire successful trainees or to increase wages for successful incumbent worker trainees.
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
2017 GPAs
Worker Training Grants for All Sectors: (FF173**1 & FF174**1)
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for Small Business Occupations: (FF173BS1 & FF174BS1)
Company size: 50 full-time employees or less
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $ .50:$1 ($ .50 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for Wisconsin Construction Trades and Related Occupations: (FF172CL1)
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for Wisconsin Small Business Occupations: (FF172BS1)
Company size: 50 full-time employees or less
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $ .50:$1 ($ .50 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for Wisconsin Health Science, Health Care, and Related Occupations: (FF171HL1)
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for Wisconsin Construction Trades and Related Occupations: (FF171CL1)
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Worker Training Grants for Wisconsin Small Business Occupations: (FF171BS1)
Company size: 50 full-time employees or less
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $ .50:$1 ($ .50 applicant / $1 WFF)
2016 GPAs
Worker Training for Manufacturing Occupations: (FF164ML1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Workforce Development for City of Milwaukee Residents: (FF164GL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $200,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
2015 GPAs
Manufacturing and Related Occupations: (FF152ML1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Financial Services and Related Occupations: (FF152FL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Information Technology, Systems Security, Data Analytics, and Related Occupations: (FF152IL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Human Services, Customer Service, and Related Occupations: (FF152BL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Health Science, Health Care, and Related Occupations: (FF152HL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1 : $1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF grant)
Architecture, Construction, and Related Occupations: (FF152CL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Transportation, Logistics, Distribution, and Related Occupations: (FF152TL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources, and Related Occupations: (FF152AL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1 : $1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF grant)
Wisconsin Small Business Occupations: (FF152BS1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: 50 full-time employees or less
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $ .50 : $1 ( $ .50 applicant / $1 WFF grant)
2014 GPAs
Wisconsin Small Businesses: (FF143BS1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: 50 full-time employees or less
Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Application: short form
Match: $ .50 : $1 (applicant provides half of the WFF grant amount)
Manufacturing Occupations: (FF143ML1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Construction Trades and Related Occupations: (FF143CL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Transportation, Logistics and Distribution Occupations: (FF143TL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Financial Services Occupations: (FF143FL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Information Technology Occupations: (FF143IL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Customer Service Occupations: (FF143BL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Health Care and Related Occupations: (FF143HL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1 : $1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF grant)
Agriculture and Related Occupations: (FF143AL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1 : $1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF grant)
Wisconsin Small Businesses: (FF141BS1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: 50 full-time employees or less
Total funding set-aside: $500,000
Award amount: $5,000 to $25,000
Application: short form
Match: $ .50 : $1 (applicant provides half of the WFF grant amount)
Manufacturing Occupations: (FF141ML1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Total funding set-aside: $1,000,000
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Construction Trades and Related Occupations: (FF141CL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Total funding set-aside: $500,000
Award amount: $5,000 to $75,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Transportation, Logistics, and Distribution Occupations: (FF141TL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Total funding set-aside: $1,000,000
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Financial Services Occupations: (FF141FL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Total funding set-aside: $1,000,000
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Information Technology Occupations: (FF141IL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Total funding set-aside: $1,500,000
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1:$1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF)
Health Care and Related Occupations: (FF141HL1)
Status: Closed to New Applications
Company size: any
Total funding set-aside: $2,000,000
Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Application: long form
Match: $1 : $1 ($1 applicant / $1 WFF grant)
2013 GPAs
Grant Available for Small Wisconsin Manufacturers
Status: Closed to New Applications
Funds Allocated: $400,000
Grant Amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $0.50 Applicant/$1.00 Grant
Eligible Applicants: Manufacturing companies with 50 or fewer employees
Eligible Trainees: Unemployed, Underemployed, or Incumbent Workers
Grant Available for Wisconsin Manufacturers
Status: Closed to New Applications
Funds Allocated: $1,000,000
Grant Amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1.00 Applicant/$1.00 Grant
Eligible Applicants: Manufacturing companies
Eligible Trainees: Unemployed, Underemployed, or Incumbent Workers
Grant Available for Wisconsin Construction Industry
Status: Closed to New Applications
Funds Allocated: $300,000
Grant Amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $0.50 Applicant/$1.00 Grant
Eligible Applicants: Construction companies
Eligible Trainees: Unemployed, Underemployed, or Incumbent Workers
Grant Available for Customer Service Representative Training
Status: Closed to New Applications
Funds Allocated: $1,000,000
Grant Amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1.00 Applicant/$1.00 Grant
Eligible Applicants: Customer Service Occupations
Eligible Trainees: Unemployed, Underemployed, or Incumbent Workers
