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Florida Customized Training Grants: A Practical Employer Guide

Florida's main training grants come from CareerSource Florida. Quick Response Training (QRT) reimburses training for new full-time hires at new or expanding businesses in targeted industries, from a $7.5 million pool for fiscal 2026-27. Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) reimburses 50% of training costs for current staff, up to 75% for companies with 25 or fewer employees or in rural or distressed areas, up to $100,000 per grant. Both pay only for training after the contract is signed.

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

  1. 1

    Apply in the CareerSource Florida portal

  2. 2

    Sign the contract before hiring or training

  3. 3

    Deliver the training

  4. 4

    Claim reimbursement within 60 days

2 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Florida money comes from.

Run by CareerSource Florida (Quick Response Training is created by section 288.047, Florida Statutes). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Quick Response Training (QRT)

Training costs for new hires, from a $7.5M pool
OPEN, FIRST COME
WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of training costs for each approved new hire who completes training. Trainee wages are not reimbursed.

HOW MUCH

FY 2026-27 pool: $7.5 million. No per-company cap published; CareerSource Florida sets the amount per trainee. No match required, but matching funds earn priority.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Your company, unless the contract names a fiscal agent (required above $750,000).

WHO QUALIFIES
  • New, permanent, full-time jobs (37.5 hours a week or more) for Florida residents
  • A targeted industry; retail is excluded by law
  • Customized skills training of 24 months or less that is not available locally
  • No outstanding balances or liens owed to the state
Before you start: Yes. Hiring or training before the contract is signed is not reimbursed.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Apply in the CareerSource Florida online portal at least 45 business days before training
  2. 2Upload letters from your economic development organization and local workforce board, a tax clearance letter, Form 941 and W-9
  3. 3Sign the contract, train, then submit trainee data and reimbursement requests

Deadlines and windows: FY 2026-27 runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; first come until funds run out. Final requests within 60 days after the contract ends.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEFLORIDA.COM

Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)

50% to 75% of training costs, up to $100,000
OPEN, AWARDS MONTHLY
WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of approved direct training costs such as tuition, instructors and curriculum.

HOW MUCH

FY 2026-27 pool: $3 million. Up to $100,000 per grant, one award per company every other year. 50% of direct training costs, up to 75% for companies with 25 or fewer employees or in rural, distressed, brownfield or HUBZone locations.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Your company, by direct deposit or check.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • For-profit company (or a hospital) in business at least 1 year
  • Trainees are W-2 Florida residents working 37.5 hours a week or more, employed at least 6 months
  • Retail, government and most nonprofits are excluded
  • Soft skills, orientation, degree courses, travel and equipment are not covered
Before you start: Yes. Only pre-approved costs, and only for training after the contract is fully signed.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Apply in the online portal at least 45 business days before training (awards monthly)
  2. 2Upload a tax clearance letter, Form 941, W-9 and a bank letter
  3. 3Train, then claim reimbursement in the portal; payment takes up to 5 weeks

Deadlines and windows: Applications accepted from July 1, 2026 for FY 2026-27. Training within 12 months of the contract; claims within 60 days after it ends.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEFLORIDA.COM
LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

CareerSource Broward

Points employers to the state QRT and IWT grants and runs its own OJT that reimburses 90% of wages during training.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEBROWARD.COM
CareerSource Gulf Coast

Lists the state IWT grant and notes that businesses with 25 or fewer employees get priority.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEGC.COM
AVOID THESE

What gets Florida Customized claims denied.

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Florida Customized questions.

Who gets the money?

Your company, as reimbursement after training. If a QRT contract names a fiscal agent, the payment goes to the agent.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEFLORIDA.COM
How long does it take?

Apply at least 45 business days before training starts and wait for the signed contract. Reimbursement arrives up to five weeks after your claim is reviewed.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEFLORIDA.COM
What training is not covered?

Orientation, soft skills, English as a second language, degree courses, and OSHA or CPR training are excluded, along with travel, food and equipment.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEFLORIDA.COM
Can a small company get a higher rate?

Yes. Incumbent Worker Training can reimburse up to 75% for companies with 25 or fewer employees or in rural, distressed, brownfield or HUBZone areas. Most awards are 50%.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEFLORIDA.COM

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on . Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA

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