The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is accepting FY27 applications for the Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program (CEJA), FY27-1 / CSFA 420-30-3174. The program supports nonprofit community-based providers that conduct outreach, education, recruitment, navigation, and related services connecting underserved Illinois residents to clean-energy workforce opportunities and CEJA programs.
DCEO lists $6,500,000 in estimated total program funding and anticipates 16 awards. The controlling Illinois GATA opportunity states that no cost share or match is required and that indirect costs are allowed without stated restrictions. The current GATA summary does not publish a single-award range.
Eligible lead applicants are qualifying nonprofit community-based providers with demonstrated history and capacity serving low-wage, low-skilled, economically disadvantaged, or otherwise underserved communities through education, outreach, recruitment, or related workforce services. The controlling NOFO states that community colleges and units of local government are not eligible as direct applicants, although partnerships and subcontracting may be used when permitted by the NOFO.
The published application deadline is October 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM. The controlling GATA record and NOFO do not state a deadline time zone. Atlas must verify the time zone with DCEO before any deadline-sensitive applicant outreach or submission. The current opportunity was posted September 22, 2026, and DCEO lists a nonmandatory technical-assistance session for September 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
Application preparation must use the controlling NOFO and official forms, including the Uniform Grant Application and Budget, required disclosures, work plan, staffing and qualification information, partnership or subcontract documentation where applicable, and all required attachments. Applicant-specific facts must be verified and unresolved facts must be treated as account input required.
Atlas Opportunity Score: 82/100. This is a strong Illinois community-workforce opportunity because it combines meaningful statewide funding, 16 anticipated awards, no required match, and direct relevance to qualified nonprofit community organizations with established outreach and workforce-service capacity.
N9+ Fit: 0/100. The controlling materials establish a workforce-navigation and outreach purpose and do not establish a legitimate N9+ or QC Healthcare pathway. N9+ should not be introduced in ordinary outreach for this program.
Direct Vendor Review: This is an applicant grant, not a direct Dr. Miltie or QC Healthcare procurement.
Official source: Illinois DCEO FY27 Energy Transition Navigators Program.