Customized Training provides up to $400,000 to help businesses invest in their employees. You pick the training and the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) covers up to 70% of the costs.

• Businesses identify training needs for their staff and, if selected, have up to one year to carry out training for at least 10 employees (including new hires).
• Businesses are reimbursed on a quarterly basis. Upon completion, businesses are required to provide wage increases to training participants.

How to Apply

You can apply for the program by following the steps below:

Step 1: Submit a pre-application to determine if your business is eligible. This should take you about three to five minutes.

Step 2: Once you've submitted a pre-application, an SBS staff member will follow up with you to clarify any responses and if eligible, pass along the full application.

• View our program guidelines: For a more complete overview of the Customized Training program, please read our Program Guidelines. (PDF)
• Read our FAQs: To see answers to the most frequently asked questions, you can also check out our FAQs. (PDF)
• SBS staff can answer any additional questions you have. Contact us for more information.

Application Deadlines

There are six submission deadlines per calendar year. Once submitted, an evaluation committee will vote to determine which businesses will be awarded. A SBS staff member will let you know their decision that same day.

Our deadline and decision dates for the coming year can be found in the table below:


Above dates are meant to serve as a guide and are subject to change without notice. The Customized Training program, SBS, and Workforce Development Corporation are not responsible for any actions taken in reliance on the schedule above.

Eligible Training Examples and Success Stories

The Customized Training program supports new or expanded training that falls within four focus areas. Funding can cover:

• Training on recently purchased equipment or software: Architectural firm Atelier based in Long Island City, Queens was awarded $44,539.96 to conduct training in AutoCad and Revit. Training in the new software allowed the company to expand and diversify the business’ portfolio to include more institutions and corporate clients. The 13 architects and project managers who went through the training received an average wage increase of 5%. Atelier reports 20% yearly growth aided by the investment in staff development.


• Training to launch a new product or service; enter new market area: Brooklyn-based food manufacturer Crepini, specializing in all natural crepes, was awarded $67,000 to train 15 employees in flash freezing and sanitation operation certifications. As a result of the training, Crepini has increased its sales by 20% and is now selling in over 500 new supermarkets and warehouses including Sam's Club and Costco. Employees who undertook the training received an average wage increase of 42% as a result of the increased sales to the business. This was more than double the rate projected at the time of the application.


• Training for staff to get promoted or take on new responsibilities: Cooperative Home Care Associates (CHCA), a B Corporation and worker-owned home care agency located in The Bronx was awarded a grant of $35,160 to train Home Health Aides in managed long-term care, clinical competencies, and coaching. With these training funds, 11 Home Health Aides received additional course work resulting in promotions to managerial roles and an average wage increase of 21.4%.


• Training to update obsolete skills: BrideClick is the largest network of advertisers and publishers of all things weddings. The Manhattan-based company received a $50,108 award to provide training that would reduce outsourcing of design projects to other companies. 14 of BrideClick's employees earned certificates in digital publishing, digital marketing and web development in addition to critical training in leadership, social media, Photoshop and ad operations. Trainees received an average wage increase of 62%.

Contact us for more information