Security Clearance Talent Pipeline Program - Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Expanding Maryland’s cleared workforce to support critical national security and defense sectors

To prepare Marylanders for high-demand careers in key sectors, the Maryland Department of Labor has launched the Security Clearance Talent Pipeline Program through funding from Cyber Maryland. This initiative supports innovative workforce strategies to recruit, retain, and transition talent into positions requiring Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) and TS/SCI with polygraph clearances across cybersecurity, AI, technology, intelligence, and defense sectors.

Through a $500,000 competitive grant investment, MD Labor is funding industry-driven models that tackle candidate withdrawal and financial barriers during lengthy federal security clearance reviews. Grants support targeted recruitment, clearance navigation, paid bridge employment, technical training, and participant stipends of up to $10,000 to keep candidates financially secure and engaged while awaiting clearance.

Successful applicants will submit proposals demonstrating innovative, industry-driven models that recruit qualified candidates, reduce attrition during federal security processing, and transition participants into clearance-required employment.

Eligible entities include:

Employers
Training Providers
Workforce Development Boards
Industry Associations
Non-profit and Community-Based Organizations
Local or Regional Economic Development Entities
Institutions of Higher Education
Other organizations as deemed allowable by MD Labor

Application Process

Grants are awarded through a competitive selection process. To receive application materials, applicants must submit a Notice of Intent to Apply by Wednesday, January 6, 2026.

2026 Application Timeline:

Solicitation opens: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Virtual Pre-proposal Conference: Friday, October 30, 2026 at 1 p.m. EST
- To register, see our meeting registration form.
Deadline to submit questions about the application: Monday, November 9, 2026
- Send questions to [email protected]
Notice of Intent to Apply Due: Wednesday, January 6, 2027 by 11:59 p.m. EST
- To submit your intent to apply and receive all application materials, see our Google Form.
Proposals Due: Friday, January 8, 2027 by 11:59 p.m.
Notification of Awards: February 2027

Funding Availability

Period of Performance: March 1, 2027 - February 28, 2029

Application Resources:

Program contact

Tori Darby
[email protected]
Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Maryland Department of Labor