Opportunity Partnership Grant (OPG)

The Opportunity Partnership Grant (OPG), administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, is a competitive funding opportunity designed to provide occupational training for eligible displaced or dislocated workers. The program focuses on labor demand occupations identified by the New Jersey Workforce Development Board, aiming to place participants in full-time, year-round positions offering wages of at least $20.00 per hour. To be eligible for additional funding, grantees must ensure at least 50 percent of trainees who complete the program are placed in training-related positions. Training must consist of at least 20 hours per week and lead to an industry-valued credential or required licensure. Applications are submitted via the Intelligrants (IGX) system and are evaluated on a 100-point scale based on the quality and completeness of the executive summary, program narrative, and budget. Key financial constraints include a cap on administrative costs at 10 percent of direct costs, and a requirement that training be competitively priced with the state's Eligible Training Provider List. The application process involves three critical steps: IGX registration and a Letter of Intent both due by October 14, 2026, followed by the final application deadline on November 18, 2026. Awarded grantees operate on a prior month's cost reimbursement method, with monthly invoices and benchmark tracking forms due by the 5th of each month. Performance is measured by enrollment, mid-point retention, course completions, and job placements. Grantees must meet specific milestones, including enrolling 25 percent of contracted participants within the first three months and utilizing 30 percent of grant funds within the first six months of enrollment. Final close-out reports and invoices are required within 30 days of the last job placement benchmark.