US Department of Labor announces $10.5M funding availability to support mine safety, health training for nation’s miners

News Release

US Department of Labor announces $10.5M funding availability to support mine safety, health training for nation's miners

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced its Mine Safety and Health Administration is making $10.5 million in grant funding available to help states provide mine safety training for the nation's miners.

"Through our ongoing commitment to safety training, we achieved a historically low all-injury rate for mining last year. This latest investment demonstrates that we're doubling down on our efforts to protect our nation's hardworking miners," said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. "The Department of Labor will continue to put American miners first by keeping them safe on the job, which will help advance President Trump's mission to bolster domestic mineral production."

MSHA will award these grants as part of its fiscal year 2026 State Grants Program to fund the delivery of federally mandated training and re-training for miners who work at surface, underground coal, and metal and non-metal mines throughout the U.S.

State, tribal, and territorial governments are eligible to apply. MSHA may fund up to 80% of the program costs under a state grant. The grant recipient is required to provide at least 20% of the total program costs.

MSHA recognizes state training programs are a key source of mine safety, health training, and education. The agency encourages state programs to use grant funds to prioritize training assistance for new and small mining operations, as well as to support a state's broader health and safety training programs.

MSHA also recommends that grantees develop or create training compliance assistance programs to assist operators who are extracting critical minerals, including coal, to support the President's goal of increasing the discovery and mining of critical minerals. The agency also emphasizes training on miners' statutory rights under the Mine Safety and Health Act.

Grant applications must be submitted by Aug. 10, 2026, and will be awarded on or before Sept. 30, 2026.

View 2026 State Grants Program funding opportunity.

Learn more about MSHA.