Start Your Pre-Screening Applications for Opportunity Now Colorado Phase 2!
Pre-Screening Application window: August 10 – August 24th at 11:59pm MT
Request for Application window: August 31 – October 19 at 11:59pm MT
Phase 2 Overview
In Phase 2 of Opportunity Now, over $50 million will be available to employers, educational institutions, and workforce innovators to implement and scale workforce models that address Colorado’s regional talent and workforce needs.
- If you are an employer or industry leader, you can use Opportunity Now funds to address your talent development needs in partnership with other employers and education and training organizations in your region.
- If you are a training, education, and/or community organization, you can use Opportunity Now funds to finance innovative training or talent development models that address regional or industry workforce needs in partnership with employers or industry partners.
Programs and partnerships are eligible for three grant types:
| Grant Type | Grant Type Purpose |
|---|---|
| Scale | EXPAND – Apply for a Scale grant to expand on existing partnerships and workforce development programs that have demonstrated outcomes in job placement, career advancement, and wage gains for Coloradans |
| Seed | IMPLEMENT – Apply for a Seed grant to launch an innovative model and/or new approach to addressing Colorado’s workforce and talent challenges, yielding significantly better outcomes for Coloradans |
| Planning | DESIGN – Apply for a Planning grant to support the initial development of a workforce model, and use funds as an onramp to additional funding and continued programming |
Application Timeline
| Upcoming Dates | Program Milestones |
|---|---|
| Aug 10 – 24, 2023 | Pre-Screening Application phase (optional but strongly encouraged) |
| Aug 31 – Oct 19, 2023 | Application phase (required) |
| Oct 2023 – Jan 2024 | Grantee selection phase |
| Jan 2024 – Apr 2024 | Grant contracting phase |
The optional but highly recommended Pre-Screening Application (PSA) replaces the Letter of Intent (LOI) from Phase 1. By completing the short PSA form, you will receive a preliminary assessment of your program’s eligibility and alignment with Opportunity Now program goals and feedback on which grant type (Scale, Seed, or Planning) your program is most suited for. You will also be able to get a head start on the required Request For Application (RFA) process.
The PSA is due on Thursday August 24th at 11:59pm MT. Following the PSA, the required Request for Application will open August 31st and close October 19th.
Next Steps
Do you have a program idea ready to transform Colorado’s workforce? Follow the steps below:
- Complete the optional Pre-Screening Application (PSA), open through August 24th at 11:59pm MT. While doing so we urge you to reference the Applicant Process Guide, a technical resource on how to design an effective program and submit a strong application
- Attend our webinar! Join us for the Program Overview webinar on August 16 to learn more about key changes to the Opportunity Now program and application process!
Register here. - Check out our resources! Learn more about the program criteria in our Application Guide and access the latest resources shared on the Resource blog page. While doing so we urge you to reference the Applicant Process Guide as a technical resource on how to design an effective program and submit a strong application
- Connect with us! We are happy to answer any questions that will help you build a strong application. Visit opportunitynow.co/contact for ways to reach our team