The Maryland Offshore Wind Education & Workforce Training Program for Fiscal Year 2025, managed by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), provides competitive grants to foster workforce training and education for Maryland's offshore wind industry. This program aims to support both new and existing workforce training centers and academic institutions in expanding their educational offerings related to offshore wind. Grants are designed to advance workforce readiness in the offshore wind sector and enhance general public understanding and interest in offshore wind energy careers. Applications must be submitted by November 29, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST, using the online portal on the MEA website.

The program is structured around two main Areas of Interest (AOIs). The first AOI, Industry Education, offers funding to offset costs related to creating or enhancing offshore wind educational programs that build public awareness and career interest in offshore wind energy. These initiatives can target any educational level and focus on promoting broad knowledge of offshore wind energy. The second AOI, Workforce Training, supports the development or expansion of training facilities for delivering specific skills, training, and certification programs for those seeking careers within the offshore wind industry. Each AOI has distinct funding and eligibility criteria outlined in separate Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) accessible through the MEA.

Funding for the FY25 Program totals $3 million, split evenly across the two AOIs, with $1.5 million allocated to each. However, MEA retains the discretion to adjust these allocations based on application demand and the quality of submissions. Eligible expenses include capital investments and operational costs related to setting up or expanding educational or training programs aligned with each AOI’s objectives. Additionally, applicants may include costs related to safety standards, technical skills, and certification programs tailored to offshore wind employment.

Eligibility for the program is limited to Maryland-based nonprofit organizations, government agencies, public institutions, and businesses meeting the "Emerging Business" criteria. An "Emerging Business" must be at least 51% owned by individuals with a net worth not exceeding $6.5 million, adjusted annually for inflation. Companies that do not meet these criteria are not eligible for the program. MEA especially encourages applications from minority-owned emerging businesses, historically disenfranchised groups, and organizations that serve these communities.

Applicants must complete an administratively compliant application package through the Jotform portal, as outlined in each AOI’s FOA. Required documents and application specifics are provided in the FOA documents at the end of the Program Overview. Only complete applications will be considered, and applicants who have received funding from previous years may still apply for additional funding for FY25. General provisions and compliance requirements, which govern MEA's grant programs, will be included in all grant agreements, and a copy is available on MEA’s website.

Applications will be reviewed based on evaluation criteria specific to each AOI, detailed in the respective FOAs. MEA will assess the demand, scope, and quality of applications, though specific scoring metrics and criteria are reserved for FOA documents. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to MEA’s Energy Program Manager for further questions or clarifications before the submission deadline.