Opportunity Information: Apply for ETA UI 2025 02
The UI Interstate Connection Network (ICON) grant opportunity is a U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA) discretionary funding action to provide an additional $39.6 million to continue operating ICON, a long-standing national information technology data hub used by State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) to exchange unemployment insurance (UI) and related workforce data. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means ETA will remain actively involved in oversight and direction as the project continues rather than simply issuing funds with minimal federal involvement.
This funding is being issued on a sole-source basis to the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), specifically its Center for Employment Security Education and Research (CESER). In practical terms, that means ETA is not running an open competition for this particular award and is instead extending or adding funds to an existing cooperative agreement with NASWA/CESER. The notice also makes clear that NASWA/CESER is already responsible for ICON's day-to-day operations, including managing the procurement process for the contractor that operates and hosts the ICON platform, so the additional funding is intended to sustain and continue those operational responsibilities rather than launch a new program.
ICON itself is described as an essential interstate data exchange mechanism that has been federally supported since 1983. Its core purpose is to facilitate secure and standardized sharing of information across states so they can administer UI programs more effectively, especially in situations where claimants have worked in multiple states or when states must verify information held by another jurisdiction. Beyond UI administration, ICON also supports states in meeting statutory requirements to provide access to UI wage record data used for performance accountability across workforce programs. That function matters for measuring outcomes such as employment rates and earnings after participation in workforce services, where wage records are among the most authoritative data sources available.
From a funding and award perspective, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $39,600,000 and expects to make one award. The assistance listing is CFDA (now commonly referred to through Assistance Listing) 17.225, and the activity category is Employment, Labor and Training. The opportunity is identified as ETA UI 2025 02, with an original closing date of 2025-09-05 and a creation date of 2025-08-25. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," but because the award is explicitly described as sole source to NASWA/CESER, the practical effect is that no other applicants should expect to be considered for funding under this announcement.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a continuation and reinforcement of a critical piece of national UI and workforce data infrastructure. The funds are meant to keep ICON operating reliably and securely, maintain interstate connectivity for state UI agencies, and ensure states can continue to access and use wage record data for legally required reporting and performance accountability, with NASWA/CESER remaining the central operational steward under ETA's cooperative agreement model.Apply for ETA UI 2025 02
- The Employment and Training Administration in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "UI Interstate Connection Network" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.225.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-08-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $39,600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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UI Interstate Connection Network (ICON) Grant Opportunity FAQs
1) What is the UI Interstate Connection Network (ICON)?
ICON is a long-standing national information technology data hub used by State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) to securely exchange unemployment insurance (UI) and related workforce data across states.
2) What is the purpose of this grant opportunity?
This discretionary funding action from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA) provides additional funding to continue operating ICON. The intent is to sustain and continue ICON's operational responsibilities rather than start a new program.
3) How much funding is available under this opportunity?
The award ceiling is $39,600,000, representing an additional $39.6 million to continue operating ICON.
4) How many awards does ETA expect to make?
ETA expects to make one award.
5) What type of award is this?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning ETA is expected to remain actively involved in oversight and direction as the project continues.
6) Who is the intended recipient of the funding?
The funding is being issued on a sole-source basis to the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), specifically its Center for Employment Security Education and Research (CESER).
7) Is this an open competitive grant opportunity?
No. The notice describes the award as sole-source to NASWA/CESER, which means ETA is not running an open competition for this particular award.
8) If eligibility is listed as "Others," can other organizations apply?
Although eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," the announcement states the award is sole-source to NASWA/CESER. In practical terms, other applicants should not expect to be considered for funding under this announcement.
9) Why is this being awarded on a sole-source basis?
Based on the notice description, ETA is extending or adding funds to an existing cooperative agreement because NASWA/CESER is already responsible for ICON's day-to-day operations, including managing the procurement process for the contractor that operates and hosts the ICON platform.
10) What does NASWA/CESER do for ICON today?
NASWA/CESER is described as responsible for ICON's day-to-day operations. This includes managing the procurement process for the contractor that operates and hosts the ICON platform.
11) What will the additional funds be used for?
The additional funds are intended to sustain ICON operations, maintain interstate connectivity for state UI agencies, keep the platform operating reliably and securely, and continue supporting states' access to wage record data for required reporting and performance accountability.
12) Why is ICON important for unemployment insurance administration?
ICON facilitates secure and standardized sharing of information across states so they can administer UI programs more effectively, including situations where claimants have worked in multiple states or when a state needs to verify information held by another jurisdiction.
13) How does ICON support workforce program performance accountability?
ICON supports states in meeting statutory requirements to provide access to UI wage record data used for performance accountability across workforce programs. Wage records are used to measure outcomes such as employment rates and earnings after participation in workforce services.
14) How long has ICON been federally supported?
ICON is described as having been federally supported since 1983.
15) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing is 17.225.
16) What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Employment, Labor and Training.
17) What is the opportunity identifier?
The opportunity is identified as ETA UI 2025 02.
18) What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The creation date is 2025-08-25, and the original closing date is 2025-09-05.
19) Is this funding meant to launch a new ICON platform or replace ICON?
No. The notice characterizes this as continuation funding intended to keep ICON operating and to sustain existing operational responsibilities.
20) What is the overall goal of this funding action?
Overall, this is a continuation and reinforcement of national UI and workforce data infrastructure, focused on reliable and secure ICON operations, interstate data exchange for SWAs, and continued access to wage record data for legally required reporting and performance accountability.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| UI Integrity Center of Excellence Operations Apply for ETA UI 2025 01 Funding Number: ETA UI 2025 01 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $9,000,000 |
| PY2025 Planning Instruction and Allotments for Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) National Grantees Apply for ETA TEGL 16 24 1 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 16 24 1 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $45,795,828 |
| YouthBuild 2025 Apply for FOA ETA 26 38 Funding Number: FOA ETA 26 38 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP), and the Homeless Women Veterans' and Homeless Veterans' with Children Reintegration Grant Program (HWVHVWC) (referred to collectively Apply for FOA VETS 26 01 Funding Number: FOA VETS 26 01 Agency: Veterans Employment and Training Service Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Pay-for-Performance (PfP) Incentive Payments Program Apply for FOA ETA 26 19 Funding Number: FOA ETA 26 19 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $40,000,000 |
| Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants (Round 6) Apply for FOA ETA 26 40 Funding Number: FOA ETA 26 40 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $10,800,000 |
| The Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships, and Training (RESTART) Initiative Apply for FOA ETA 26 17 Funding Number: FOA ETA 26 17 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $5,100,000 |
| 2026 National Unemployment Insurance Convening Reimbursement Instructions Apply for ETA UIPL 08 26 Funding Number: ETA UIPL 08 26 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $8,000 |
| Talent Search Program Apply for ED GRANT 26 022 Funding Number: ED GRANT 26 022 Agency: Office of Postsecondary Education Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
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| Program Year 2026 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Indian and Native American Programs – Employment and Training Grants - Youth Apply for FOA ETA 26 20 IY Funding Number: FOA ETA 26 20 IY Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $2,808,366 |
| Announcement of Enhancements to Identity Verification Services and Funding Opportunity to Support State Costs Associated with Participation in Such Services Apply for ETA UIPL 10 26 Funding Number: ETA UIPL 10 26 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Program Year 2026 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Indian and Native American Programs Employment and Training - Adult Apply for FOA ETA 26 20 IA Funding Number: FOA ETA 26 20 IA Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $5,998,062 |
| Teacher and School Leader Incentive Fund 84.374A Apply for DOL OESE 33844 Funding Number: DOL OESE 33844 Agency: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Approaches to Literacy 84.215G Apply for DOL OESE 33831 Funding Number: DOL OESE 33831 Agency: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula, Round 4 (SAEF4) Apply for ETA TEGL 08 25 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 08 25 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $8,287,067 |
| CSP Grants to State Entities 84.282A Apply for DOL OESE 33903 Funding Number: DOL OESE 33903 Agency: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Work Opportunity Tax Credit Initial Funding Allotments for Fiscal Year 2026 Apply for ETA WOTC TEGL 09 25 Funding Number: ETA WOTC TEGL 09 25 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $1,742,067 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2026. Apply for ETA TEGL 10 25 YOUTH Funding Number: ETA TEGL 10 25 YOUTH Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $156,286,824 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Consolidated Activities Program Allotments for Outlying Areas for Program Year (PY) 2026. Apply for ETA TEGL 10 25 OA Funding Number: ETA TEGL 10 25 OA Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $936,235 |
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