Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ODEP 21 01

The Retaining Employment and Talent after Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN) Demonstration Projects - Phase 2 opportunity is a U.S. Department of Labor initiative run through the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). It seeks applicants to carry out Phase 2 implementation work under cooperative agreements, meaning the federal government expects to be actively involved with awardees during the project rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The overall aim is to put early intervention approaches into practice and evaluate how well they help workers who experience an injury or illness stay connected to employment or return to work sooner and more successfully.

At the center of the program is the idea that timing and coordination matter. RETAIN Phase 2 is designed around providing coordinated health and employment services to workers who have recently begun experiencing a work disability. Services are expected to start within 12 weeks of the onset of the work disability, which highlights that this program targets the early window when people are at higher risk of drifting into long-term unemployment or prolonged absence from the workforce. After a worker enters the RETAIN program, supports can continue for up to six months, indicating a structured, time-limited intervention period focused on stabilizing recovery and work participation.

The funding opportunity is listed as FOA ODEP 21 01 and falls under the discretionary funding category, using the cooperative agreement instrument type. The associated CFDA number is 17.720. The Department of Labor anticipated making about five awards, with an award ceiling listed at $21,600,000. The eligible applicant category is noted as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, which generally signals that eligibility may extend beyond a single conventional category (for example, potentially including state or local entities, nonprofits, institutions, or other qualified organizations depending on the FOA specifics).

Key administrative details include an original posting (creation) date of October 15, 2020, and an original application deadline of January 15, 2021. Applications were required to be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a large-scale implementation and learning effort: awardees are expected not only to deliver integrated, early services that blend healthcare and employment supports, but also to participate in evaluating those strategies so the federal government can better understand what works to prevent avoidable job loss and reduce time away from work after injury or illness.

  • The Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Retaining Employment and Talent after Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN) Demonstration Projects – Phase 2" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.720.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Oct 15, 2020.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 15, 2021 The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is 1/15/2021. Applications must be received no later than 40000 p.m. Eastern Time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $21,600,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for FOA ODEP 21 01

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the RETAIN Demonstration Projects - Phase 2 opportunity?

The Retaining Employment and Talent after Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN) Demonstration Projects - Phase 2 is a U.S. Department of Labor initiative that funds Phase 2 implementation work. Its focus is putting early intervention approaches into practice and evaluating how well those approaches help workers who experience an injury or illness remain employed or return to work sooner and more successfully.

Which U.S. Department of Labor office runs this opportunity?

This opportunity is run through the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).

What is the main goal of RETAIN Phase 2?

The overall goal is to implement and evaluate coordinated early intervention strategies that combine health and employment services, aimed at preventing avoidable job loss and reducing time away from work after an injury or illness.

What problem is the program trying to address?

The program is designed around the idea that timing and coordination matter. It targets the early period after the onset of a work disability, when workers may be at higher risk of drifting into long-term unemployment or extended workforce absence.

What does "early intervention" mean in this program?

Early intervention in RETAIN Phase 2 refers to starting coordinated services within 12 weeks of the onset of a worker's work disability. The emphasis is on acting during an early window rather than waiting until a worker has been out of work for a long period.

What types of services are expected under RETAIN Phase 2?

A central expectation is the delivery of coordinated health and employment services. The opportunity description frames services as integrated supports that connect healthcare-related needs and employment-related needs to help workers stay connected to work or return sooner.

How quickly must services begin after a work disability starts?

Services are expected to begin within 12 weeks of the onset of the work disability.

How long can supports continue for a participant once they enter the program?

After a worker enters the RETAIN program, supports can continue for up to six months, indicating a structured and time-limited intervention period.

Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. That means the federal government expects to be actively involved with awardees during the project, rather than providing a hands-off grant.

What does it mean that the government will be "actively involved"?

Based on the cooperative agreement description, the Department of Labor anticipates working closely with awardees during implementation rather than simply issuing funds and leaving all decisions and activities entirely to recipients.

What is the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number?

The FOA is listed as ODEP 21 01.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 17.720.

What type of funding category is this opportunity?

This opportunity is described as discretionary funding.

How many awards did the Department of Labor anticipate making?

The Department of Labor anticipated making about five awards.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling is listed at $21,600,000.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant category is noted as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This phrasing typically signals that eligibility may extend beyond a single conventional category, depending on the specifics in the FOA.

When was the opportunity originally posted?

The original posting (creation) date is October 15, 2020.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was January 15, 2021.

What time were applications due on the closing date?

Applications were required to be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.

What kinds of outcomes is RETAIN Phase 2 trying to improve for workers?

The program aims to help workers who experience an injury or illness stay connected to employment, return to work sooner, and return more successfully, with the broader intent of preventing avoidable job loss and reducing time away from work.

Are awardees expected to participate in evaluation activities?

Yes. The opportunity is presented as an implementation and learning effort, meaning awardees are expected not only to deliver coordinated services but also to participate in evaluating those strategies so the federal government can better understand what works.

What makes this opportunity "Phase 2"?

The description states that applicants are being sought to carry out Phase 2 implementation work. The emphasis in this phase is on putting early intervention approaches into practice and evaluating effectiveness during implementation.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)

Next opportunity: Notice of Intent to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on behalf of DOE's Office of Fossil Energy (FE) entitled "Water Management For Thermal Power Generation".

Previous opportunity: FY20 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Education and Enforcement Program

Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for FOA ODEP 21 01

 

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FOA ODEP 21 01) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Futuros Brillantes- Project to reduce Child Labor and improve Labor Rights and Working Conditions in Honduras Apply for NOI ILAB 20 09

Funding Number: NOI ILAB 20 09
Agency: Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $13,750,000
Correctional Leadership Development (CLD) and Management Development for the Future (MDF) curriculum packages Apply for 21AC07

Funding Number: 21AC07
Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $75,000
CTR FY 21 Counter Russian Malign Influence Apply for SFOP0007361

Funding Number: SFOP0007361
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $250,000
FY21 Countering WMD Threats in Iraq Apply for SFOP0007365

Funding Number: SFOP0007365
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $500,000
FY 21 Countering Advanced Conventional Weapons Apply for SFOP0007363

Funding Number: SFOP0007363
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $100,000,000
FY21 Countering the People's Republic of China Military Civil Fusion (MCF) Strategy and Balancing Risks and Rewards of Emerging Technologies with WMD Apply for SFOP0007367

Funding Number: SFOP0007367
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $11,000,000
FY 21 Partnership for Nuclear Threat Reduction Apply for SFOP0007369

Funding Number: SFOP0007369
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $250,000
FY21 Chemical Security Program Apply for SFOP0007371

Funding Number: SFOP0007371
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $250,000
FY21 Countering North Korean WMD Proliferation Apply for SFOP0007374

Funding Number: SFOP0007374
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $250,000
FY21 Global Biosecurity Engagement Activities Apply for SFOP0007376

Funding Number: SFOP0007376
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $500,000
FY 21 Reducing Revisionist State Biological and Chemical Weapons Threats Apply for SFOP0007378

Funding Number: SFOP0007378
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $500,000
U.S. Embassy KL PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for SMY300 FY2021 PAS

Funding Number: SMY300 FY2021 PAS
Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malaysia
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $125,000
FY21 Countering Iran’s Ballistic Missile Capability Apply for SFOP0007380

Funding Number: SFOP0007380
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $250,000
Fiscal Year 2020 Presidential Residence Protection Assistance Grant (PRPA) Apply for DHS 20 GPD 134 00 01

Funding Number: DHS 20 GPD 134 00 01
Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Embassy Prague Annual Statement Apply for SE2800 21 GR EURCZ102320

Funding Number: SE2800 21 GR EURCZ102320
Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Czech Republic
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $20,000
U.S. Embassy Bratislava PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for PAS 001 FY2021

Funding Number: PAS 001 FY2021
Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Slovakia
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $24,999
FY20 DRL Statements of Interest for China Apply for SFOP0007347

Funding Number: SFOP0007347
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $1,500,000
FY20 DRL Statements of Interest for Iraq Apply for SFOP0007345

Funding Number: SFOP0007345
Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $4,000,000
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO Apply for DOS DAR 2021

Funding Number: DOS DAR 2021
Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Tanzania
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $24,500
FY2021 English Language Fellow and Specialist Program Apply for SFOP0007400

Funding Number: SFOP0007400
Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $17,000,000

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

Inside Our Applicants Portal

  • Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
  • Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
  • Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Access Applicants Portal

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Learn More

 

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FOA ODEP 21 01", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.

 

Ask a Question: