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Program Overview
Help provide Watershed residents with the skills, training, and expertise they need to land a great job in our community!
The CWC Workforce Development Program (WFD) now provides grant funding to qualified organizations that offer training, education, and support services.
The goal is simple: to build a stronger, more skilled local workforce that supports the economy and protects the environment of the West of Hudson (WOH) Watershed.
What is the Program For?
The CWC is looking for innovative projects that help residents gain the knowledge and skills needed for in-demand careers in and around the WOH Watershed.
Fundable projects can help with things like:
| Training & Skills | Career Support | Breaking Down Barriers |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-on experience through paid internships and apprenticeships. | Reconnecting individuals who are neither in school nor working with career opportunities. | Improving access to broadband and technology for digital literacy. |
| Training for high-demand jobs in the local economy. | Professional licenses and certifications courses. | Enabling Services like childcare, transportation, and housing assistance. |
| Training for Watershed Protection and partnership programs jobs. | Support for individuals with disabilities. | Preparing youth (ages 13-30) for the future of work. |
Who Can Apply for Funding?
The CWC Competitive Grant Program is open to qualified institutions that propose eligible projects.
To apply for a grant, you must be one of the following, or partner with one of these institutions:
• Schools & Educational Institutions: Public, private, or charter schools (K-12), colleges, universities, vocational, or trade schools.
• Non-Profit Corporations.
• Public Entities: Municipalities, towns, counties, villages, and special-purpose districts, like library or water districts.
• Private Incorporated Employers.
NOTE: The grants are awarded to organizations that provide training and services – not directly to individuals.
Ineligible Funding Requests:
Please note that WFD Program grants cannot be used to pay for:
• Individual scholarships or tuition costs for degrees.
• The purchase of real property.
• Equipment or machinery costing over $50,000 in program funds.
• Construction of permanent buildings or structures.
Review the full Workforce Development Program Rules here.
Questions? Click here to send an email to the WFD Program Manager
Applying for a Grant
Two competitive grant cycles each program year
| Cycle | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Cycle 1 | 3pm on the First Friday of February |
| Cycle 2 | 3pm on the First Friday of June |
Next Steps
Ready to empower the WOH Watershed workforce?
1. Review the full Program Rules and Guidelines.
2. Review the Application Checklist and Guidelines.
3. Contact CWC with any questions or to discuss your proposed project.
4. Download and complete the official Application Form and Budget Sheet.
5. Submit your complete application, detailed budget, and supporting documents by the deadline.
FAQ's
Q: Does the school/public entity/organization/employer applicant have to be physically located in the Watershed?
A: No, your organization does not have to be physically located in the WOH Watershed. Your application will need to specify how your workforce development project or program will target and benefit WOH residents and/or WOH employers.
Q: What is the maximum grant amount that can be requested?
A: There is not a maximum. That said, the CWC Workforce Development Program is a competitive grant program with an annual budget. Each cycle or round of grants will have an overall budget varying from $150,000 – $200,000.
Q: Does the workforce development project or program have to be environmental in nature?
A: No, it does not. We are seeking applications for projects and programs that meet the needs of the Watershed workforce and enhance the Region’s economic vitality, and not all of our in-demand workforce needs are environmental in nature.
Q: Can CWC Workforce Development Grants fund development activities that have already taken place or will happen during the grant application review period?
A: No. Grant applications – and the funding and budget section of the application – must specify in detail what grant funds will be used for if the grant application is successful for the applicant. Successful applicant organizations should not carry out any of the activities in their grant application until they have reviewed and executed a CWC Program Participant Agreement. Applications must be approved by the CWC Board and successful applicants must be able to comply with, fully execute, and return their CWC Program Participant Agreement in order to receive the approved grant funds.
Q. Is a cost share or matching funds required?
A. Cost share or match is not required but may be looked on favorably by the CWC Public Education Committee/Board of Directors when they evaluate and compare all applications received.
Q. What is the timeline and process of the grant program?
A. Applications for the first cycle of grants are due Friday February 6, 2026. All complete applications received by the deadline will undergo an internal review at CWC, then be reviewed by New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and then be submitted to the CWC Public Education Committee which will make recommendations to the CWC Board of Directors. Each cycle will take approximately five (5) months from application deadline until Program Participant Agreements are sent out to successful applicants.
- Application Deadline: February 6, 2026
- CWC Public Education Committee Meeting, grants recommended: May 5, 2026
- CWC Board of Directors Meeting, grants approved: June 2, 2026
- Program Participant Agreements sent out to successful applicants: June 30, 2026
Program Participant Agreements due back to CWC: September 2, 2026 -
Grant funds disbursed: September 30, 2026
Q. Are the project periods for one year?
A. In the Program Rules section 4:01:13, you will see that the Final Report on how funds were expended is due to CWC at the completion of the project or within 12 months of receiving the grant; for the first cycle that would be by Sept 30, 2027.