The Mississippi Works Fund was created to enhance workforce skills statewide and bolster economic development. It provides funding to train unemployed and underemployed individuals, address urgent workforce needs for new jobs, support job retention, cultivate a work-ready applicant pool, and assist with local economic and community development efforts tied to workforce advancement.
Grants Management
AccelerateMS fuels transformative workforce development across Mississippi by strategically managing and investing federal, state, and private funds. With a focus on efficiency, accountability, and results, we simplify funding processes and support partners in delivering high-impact education and training programs. Every dollar is maximized to build a stronger, more connected workforce system.
Learn more about our programs below.
AccelerateMS is dedicated to securing the necessary federal resources to advance workforce development initiatives across Mississippi, helping to enhance skills, improve employment opportunities, and drive economic growth in the state.
Career Coaches
Career Coaching Program is designed to ignite student potential by bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world career pathways. Tailored for middle and high schools, this initiative equips students with the tools, guidance, and experiences they need to explore, prepare for, and pursue meaningful careers.
Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders and strong collaboration with school districts, our career coaches help align students’ unique strengths and interests with targeted academic choices and hands-on, work-based learning opportunities.
EquipMS
Launched in 2023 through House Bill 588, the EquipMS Grant Program—officially known as the Mississippi K-12 Workforce Development Grant—provides strategic funding to modernize and strengthen high school career and technical education (CTE) programs across the state.
Through this initiative, public secondary school districts receive the support they need to upgrade equipment, replace outdated technology, and enhance educational programs aligned with Mississippi’s high-demand workforce sectors.
Nurse Navigator
Thanks to funding provided through Senate Bill 2371, the Nurse Navigator program is equipping Mississippi’s community and junior colleges with dedicated professionals—called Nurse Navigators—who provide personalized guidance and support to nursing and allied health students.
From navigating academic challenges and coursework to understanding the evolving job market, these experts are here to help students overcome barriers, stay on track, and achieve their goals. Ultimately, the program is designed to improve student retention, boost graduation rates, and strengthen the healthcare workforce across the state.
Workforce Enhancement Training Fund
The Workforce Enhancement Training Fund (WET) is a statewide workforce development initiative designed to enhance the skills of Mississippi’s workforce. By leveraging regional ecosystems, WET funds support training programs aligned with in-demand industries and occupations, leading to measurable productivity gains and stronger economic outcomes. The program is available to employers, training providers, and communities across the state, and it supports training for existing workers, job seekers, and individuals reentering the workforce.
MS Works
MS-SHIPS
MS-SHIPS is a collaborative initiative uniting defense manufacturers and suppliers, academic institutions, government agencies, economic development organizations, and nonprofits to strengthen and modernize the shipbuilding industry and defense manufacturing base in south-central Mississippi.
Veteran Workforce Council
A coalition of partners, including AccelerateMS and MDES, is working to identify and implement effective strategies for connecting veterans with training and high-quality employment opportunities across Mississippi. Their joint efforts focus on streamlining the process of recognizing military-connected individuals and guiding them toward meaningful career paths.
ARPA supports seven program categories benefiting more than 80 sub-recipients across Mississippi. All program funding will conclude by December 2026, with some initiatives already completed. No additional funding is being provided under this program. Below is an overview of the current program areas:
Allied Health College and Career Navigator
Navigators offer personalized guidance to students in nursing and allied health programs at community and junior colleges. Support includes academic mentoring, job market navigation, and retention-focused coaching to help students graduate and succeed.
Career Coaches
This initiative places career coaches in middle and high schools to connect students with career pathways. Through partnerships with industry and school districts, coaches align students’ skills and interests with real-world academic and workforce opportunities.
Direct Training
Direct training programs prepare individuals for high-wage, high-demand careers in Mississippi. Training focuses on key industries such as nursing, healthcare, logistics, and emerging sectors, creating immediate employment pathways.
Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant
Awarded to William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, this grant supports training for future rural primary care physicians and enhances continuing education for Mississippi’s healthcare providers. The program aims to retain at least 50% of osteopathic graduates in the state.
Nursing and Allied Health
This program expands capacity in existing nursing and allied health training programs including accredited paramedic tracks across community and junior colleges and hospitals. The focus is on retention and graduation of healthcare students to meet workforce demands.
Physician Residency
ARPA funds are used to establish or expand residency and fellowship programs in general acute care hospitals impacted by COVID-19. These programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or similar bodies and train physicians in essential specialties.
Wrap-Around Services
Wrap-around services remove barriers to employment by supporting participants with critical needs such as childcare, transportation, retraining, and career coaching. These services also include financial literacy education, mentoring, and targeted back-to-work support for veterans, single parents, individuals with disabilities, the formerly incarcerated, and those who are underemployed.
Quarterly Reporting
Our quarterly reports, published in accordance with House Bill 588 (2023), provide a clear snapshot of Mississippi’s workforce development efforts. These updates highlight the impact of key initiatives on the state’s economy and labor force participation, offering transparency and insight into progress toward long-term growth and opportunity.
Learn MoreSupport
AccelerateMS supports workforce development partners by providing letters of support or collaboration for grant applications, highlighting shared goals and initiatives. To request a letter, submit a draft, project summary, and explanation of alignment with our mission. We also identify and share funding opportunities—partners are encouraged to share projects needing support. For grant application assistance and additional support, contact the Federal Projects Manager.
Requests for Proposals
AccelerateMS issues Requests for Proposals (RFPs) as a formal invitation for qualified organizations, vendors, and partners to submit competitive bids for programs and services aligned with our mission to empower Mississippi’s workforce. These RFPs outline specific goals, eligibility requirements, timelines, evaluation criteria, and deliverables related to workforce development, education innovation, and industry engagement initiatives.
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Partner With Us
Mississippi’s future depends on bold investments in skills and training. By applying for grant funding, you’re helping us prepare workers for the jobs of tomorrow. Your program can be the spark that drives lasting impact.
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