The Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships, and Training (RESTART) Initiative

The Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships, and Training (RESTART) Initiative is a competitive funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA). Announced on February 25, 2026, this initiative aims to facilitate the reintegration of justice-involved individuals into the workforce through targeted training and employment services in critical industry sectors. This opportunity supports strategies that leverage skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, registered apprenticeships, and other high-demand industries to reduce recidivism and expand economic opportunity for individuals exiting the justice system. The RESTART initiative seeks to align public workforce systems with corrections systems and industry partners to deliver evidence-based reentry programming. To qualify as a State Government or State Government Agency, applicants must be either a state workforce agency or a state Department of Corrections. City, county, and local governments do not qualify as national or regional intermediaries under this program. Applicants are expected to form strategic partnerships to provide comprehensive services that include workforce training, industry-recognized credentialing, case management, job placement, and post-placement support. A significant element of this FOA is the requirement for applicants to demonstrate formal partnerships with key entities, including State Apprenticeship Agencies (where applicable), local criminal justice systems, and employers in one or more of the following industries: shipbuilding, AI infrastructure build-out, advanced manufacturing, nuclear energy, transportation, domestic mineral production, and information technology, including AI. However, exceptions to the partnership requirements are granted to states, tribes, or sub-grantees operating solely within jurisdictions with populations under one million. These entities must still establish at least one partnership each with the SAA (when applicable), a local criminal justice system, and a targeted industry employer. Applicants must follow the guidance outlined in the FOA, including preparing Letters of Commitment (LOCs) or Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with required partners. All applications must address strategies for reducing recidivism and include performance metrics to evaluate program impact. The revised definition of recidivism for this initiative specifies it as the percentage of participants convicted of a new criminal offense committed within 12 months of enrollment in the RESTART project. This definition will be used to assess the effectiveness of proposed interventions. The application process is competitive and structured. Submission mechanics and deadlines follow federal protocols, and funding will be awarded based on evaluation of program design, strength of partnerships, alignment with high-demand industries, and capacity to deliver measurable outcomes. Application details, including deadlines and award announcements, are managed by the Employment and Training Administration. All inquiries related to this opportunity must be directed to the official program contact at [email protected]. This opportunity was last amended on March 18, 2026. Given its scope and the commitment to targeted high-growth industries, the RESTART initiative represents a robust investment in workforce reintegration strategies. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the full FOA for detailed requirements and to begin forming necessary partnerships and preparing materials in advance of submission deadlines.