INCENTIVES
TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Talent development addresses the needs of companies already enjoying success here and those interested in relocating here.
Wavemaker Fellowship
The Wavemaker Fellowship program provides a financial incentive for college graduates to stay in Rhode Island to pursue their careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) or design fields by providing student loan debt relief through a refundable tax credit, for up to four years.
Download the Wavemaker Fellowship program one-pager here.
Real Jobs RI
Real Jobs RI marks a fundamental shift in the way our state trains workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The program gives grants to employers and other stakeholders within a sector that team up to plan and implement training tailored to their sector’s needs. The result is demand-driven workforce development that is collaborative, flexible, and business-led.
P-TECH
Rhode Island’s P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) initiative forges long-term partnerships between high schools, colleges, industry associations, and businesses. Students enrolled in P-TECH programs take college-level courses while in high school, benefit from internships and mentoring, and graduate with a high school diploma and an industry-approved associate degree.
Business partners help design the program and ensure that changing industry needs are addressed in the curriculum. The P-TECH initiative creates the opportunity for Rhode Island’s students and a steady stream of talented, trained workers for its businesses.
Local education agencies interested in developing a P-TECH program are encouraged to complete and submit the Indication of Interest Form, and send it to the email address above.
View and complete a grant application 
Read the P-TECH information sheet
The P-TECH RI initiative is the result of a statewide partnership between the Rhode Island Commerce, the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Community College of Rhode Island . Visit here for more information about Rhode Island’s P-TECH schools.
Workplace Accessibility Grants
The Workplace Accessibility Grant Program promotes employment and economic opportunity for individuals with disabilities through investment in accessible workplaces. It provides a 100% reimbursement for eligible costs up to $5,000 per calendar year. All Rhode Island employers with fewer than twenty-five (25) employees and who meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the program guide may apply.
TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Talent Development
Talent development addresses the needs of companies already enjoying success here and those interested in relocating here.
P-TECH
Rhode Island’s P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) initiative forges long-term partnerships between high schools, colleges, industry associations, and businesses. Students enrolled in P-TECH programs take college-level courses while in high school, benefit from internships and mentoring, and graduate with a high school diploma and an industry-approved associate degree.
Business partners help design the program and ensure that changing industry needs are addressed in the curriculum. The P-TECH initiative creates opportunity for Rhode Island’s students and a steady stream of talented, trained workers for its businesses.
Contact: ptech.info@commerceri.com
Local education agencies interested in developing a P-TECH program are encouraged to complete and submit the Indication of Interest Form here, and send it to the email address above. Click here to view and complete a grant application.
Click here to view and complete a grant application
Click here for the P-TECH information sheet
Real Jobs RI
Real Jobs RI marks a fundamental shift in the way our state trains workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The program gives grants to employers and other stakeholders within a sector that team up to plan and implement training tailored to their sector’s needs. The result is demand-driven workforce development that is collaborative, flexible, and business-led.
Wavemaker Fellowship
The Wavemaker Fellowship program provides a financial incentive for college graduates to stay in Rhode Island to pursue their careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) or design fields by providing student loan debt relief through a refundable tax credit, for up to four years.
Click here for more information and to apply 
Contact: wavemaker@commerceri.com or call (401) 278-9153
