New Jersey's Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) Round 1 for fiscal 2027 totals $6,000,000. It funds the expansion and development of U.S. Department of Labor approved Registered Apprenticeship programs. Registration for the November 10 workshop has closed; the LOI and application dates below still stand.
The letter of intent is due at noon on Friday, November 27, 2026. The application is due at noon on Friday, December 4, 2026. Eligible applicants include New Jersey employers, workforce intermediary sponsors, employer and trade associations, labor organizations, public vocational schools, colleges, nonprofits, workforce boards, and any other private educational or training entity on the Eligible Training Provider List. All U.S. Department of Labor recognized apprenticeable occupations are encouraged to apply.
That is a calendar, not a wish. If you run a New Jersey school and you do not have an apprenticeship sponsor partner yet, this is your reason to get one this month, not next year. The state is paying for the pipeline every operator says they want.
Two warnings from the same state page: do not confuse this with New Jersey's UPSKILL and Women and Minorities in Construction Trades grants, which closed October 28. GAINS is the live one. Treat the others as closed.
The bottom line: November 27 is a real date on a real calendar. Put a name next to it today.
Source: New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development grant opportunities page.