Better Jobs through Evidence and Innovation Act

The Better Jobs through Evidence and Innovation Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to create a competitive grant program that funds innovative employment and training services. The bill directs federal resources toward initiatives that have demonstrated improvements in participant earnings and job placement, with specific attention to individuals facing barriers to employment and underserved communities such as rural areas. Eligible recipients include state and local workforce boards, tribal organizations, colleges, and nonprofit groups that design or implement these field-initiated programs. The legislation establishes a tiered funding structure based on the strength of existing evidence, offering early-phase grants for new pilots, mid-phase grants for refinement, and expansion grants for proven models. Grantees are required to partner with independent researchers to conduct rigorous impact evaluations, ensuring that at least 60 percent of each award is spent directly on program implementation rather than administrative costs. The bill authorizes appropriations for this initiative through fiscal year 2031.