Funding Wizard

The FAST Act, Public Law 114-94, Section 1123, established the NSFLTP Program to fund nationally significant projects to construct, reconstruct, or rehabilitate transportation facilities within, adjacent to, or accessing Federal and Tribal lands. A strong transportation network is critical to the functioning and growth of the American economy. The Nation’s industry depends on the transportation network to move the goods that it produces, and facilitate the movements of the workers who are responsible for that production. When the Nation’s highways, railways, and ports function well, that infrastructure connects people to jobs, increases the efficiency of delivering goods and thereby cuts the costs of doing business, reduces the burden of commuting, and improves overall well-being.

The FAST Act, Public Law 114-94, Section 1123, established the NSFLTP Program to fund nationally significant projects to construct, reconstruct, or rehabilitate transportation facilities within, adjacent to, or accessing Federal and Tribal lands. A strong transportation network is critical to the functioning and growth of the American economy. The Nation’s industry depends on the transportation network to move the goods that it produces, and facilitate the movements of the workers who are responsible for that production. When the Nation’s highways, railways, and ports function well, that infrastructure connects people to jobs, increases the efficiency of delivering goods and thereby cuts the costs of doing business, reduces the burden of commuting, and improves overall well-being.

2021 Preservation Technology and Training Grants (PTT Grants) are intended to create better tools, better materials, and better approaches to conserving buildings, landscapes, sites, and collections. The PTT Grants are administered by the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), the National Park Service’s innovation center for the preservation community. The competitive grants program will provide funding to federal agencies, states, tribes, local governments, and non-profit organizations. PTT Grants will support the following activities: Innovative research that develops new technologies or adapts existing technologies to preserve cultural resources (typically $20,000) Specialized workshops or symposia that identify and address national preservation needs (typically $15,000 to $20,000) How-to videos, mobile applications, podcasts, best practices publications, or webinars that disseminate practical preservation methods or provide better tools for preservation practice (typically $5,000 to $15,000) The maximum grant award is $20,000. The actual grant award amount is dependent on the scope of the proposed activity. NCPTT does not fund "bricks and mortar" grants. See full announcement attachment for full application information.

The U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) requests proposals for projects that will substantially expand and accelerate wood products and wood energy markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs on National Forest System and other forest lands. The grants and agreements awarded under this announcement will support the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334), Rural Revitalization Technologies (7 U.S.C. 6601), and the nationwide challenge of disposing of hazardous fuels and other wood residues from the National Forest System and other U.S. forest lands in a manner that supports wood products and wood energy markets. This Request for Proposals focuses on the Wood Innovations program goals: Reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on National Forest System and other forest lands. Reduce the costs of forest management on all land types. Promote economic and environmental health of communities. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: Completing requirements, such as architectural and engineering designs, cost analyses, and permitting necessary for 1) commercial construction projects that use wood as a primary building material, and 2) wood energy project development to secure financing. Early phase project development proposals and feasibility studies will not be competitive. Establishing or increasing wood products manufacturing capacity and/or markets that support forest ecosystem restoration Showcasing quantifiable environmental and economic benefits of using wood as a sustainable building material in a constructed commercial building to increase acceptance and encourage growth in the construction industry. Establishing statewide wood utilization teams or statewide wood energy teams. Only proposals from States without an existing or former team will be considered. Current teams are found on this map (https://www.fs.usda.gov/naspf/sites/default/files/media_wysiwyg/swet_sw…). Developing a cluster of wood energy projects in a geographic area or specific sector; or installing a wood energy system at a facility (e.g., prisons, hospitals, universities, manufacturing or industrial sector) that will use forest woody biomass or forest products manufacturing residues. Developing commercial wood biomass and wood product utilization industrial parks. Overcoming market barriers and stimulating expansion of wood energy in the institutional, commercial, or industrial sectors. Implementing applied research projects that engage with or involve industry partners to resolve gaps in practical knowledge that can lead to readily applied advances in the wood products or wood energy market. Stationary wood energy equipment. All awards are based on funding availability. The Forest Service plans to award up to $8 million under this announcement. The maximum for each award is generally $250,000; however, the Forest Service may consider awarding more to a proposal that demonstrates the ability to have a significant and sizeable impact on wood product or energy markets. Applicants must contribute matching funds equal to at least 100% of the Forest Service requested funds. This means for every $1 of Federal funding requested applicants must provide at least $1 in match. For example, if the requested Federal amount is $100,000, the applicant match must be at least $100,000 or more. Applicant match must come from non-Federal sources. The match may include cash or in-kind contributions. All matching funds must be directly related to the proposed project. The Forest Service will hold an informational Pre-Application Webinar on this and another related grant opportunity on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to provide information and answer questions. The webinar can be accessed at: https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/wood-innovations/. To call in by phone, dial: 888-844-9904 and use access code 9780832. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

EDA’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship is committed to furthering technology-based economic development initiatives that accelerate high quality job growth, create more economic opportunities, and support the future of the next generation of industry leading companies. To advance these goals, EDA awards grants through the Build to Scale Program for activities designed to develop and support regional innovation initiatives. EDA thereby advances the growth of connected, innovation-centric economies that increase job growth, enable the workforce of tomorrow, enhance global competitiveness, and foster global competitiveness through technology commercialization and entrepreneurship as described in Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (hereafter “Section 27”). The Build to Scale Program invites organizations who are aiding companies in developing the next generation of technologies to apply for funding. These organizations may be operating initiatives to unlock investment capital across a region or sector, operating programs to accelerate company growth, empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, and/or enabling technology commercialization. Under the Build to Scale Program, EDA is soliciting applications for two separate competitions:(1) the Venture Challenge,(2) the Capital Challenge Applicants must provide a matching share from non-Federal sources of at least 50 percent of the total project cost; i.e., applicants must match each Federal dollar requested with at least one dollar of local match.

The U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) requests proposals for projects to install a thermally led community wood energy system or build an innovative wood product facility. The grants awarded under this announcement are authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S. Code § 8113) and intended to support forest health and stimulate local economies by expanding renewable wood energy use and innovative wood products manufacturing capacity. The Forest Service solicits proposals for projects that will achieve the following: 1. Expand thermally led community wood energy or innovative wood product opportunities 2. Improve forest health; and 3. Stimulate local economies. This funding opportunity is intended for shovel ready projects that will not require additional funding or time to complete after the award period. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: 1. Install a thermally led community wood energy system for heating, cooling, and/or electricity that replaces fossil fuels such as coal, oil, propane, or natural gas. 2. Purchase and install manufacturing equipment at a mass timber production facility. 3. Expand a sawmill to add higher value production lines that incorporate innovative technologies and cost cutting measures. 4. Purchase and install equipment at a new facility to produce biofuels from forest residues. All awards are based on funding availability. The Forest Service plans to award up to $5 million in total awards under this announcement. The maximum for each award is $1 million to pay for up to 35% of total capital costs. The Forest Service may consider awarding up to $1.5 million (for up to 50% of total capital costs) for a proposal that warrants special consideration, especially for projects located in areas of high unemployment. Matching funds are not required; however, leveraging is required. Applicants must contribute the remaining funds (leveraged funds) necessary to complete the project above and beyond the requested Forest Service funding. For example, if an applicant requests Forest Service funding for 35% of the total capital costs of the project, then the applicant must commit to providing 65% of the total capital costs of the project. In this example, the 65% of the total capital costs are considered the required leveraged funds. Even though leveraged funds have a lower reporting burden and fewer legal requirements than matching funds, applicants must adhere to requirements for leveraged funds. Leveraged funds must be from non-federal sources and be committed within the grant timeframe. Moreover, if third-party organizations contribute to the leveraged funds requirement, then applicants must submit with their proposal package commitment letters from the third-party organizations confirming the amount of leveraging being committed. The Forest Service will hold an informational Pre-Application Webinar on this and another related grant opportunity on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to provide information and answer questions. The link is usfs.adobeconnect.com/wood-innovations/. For audio, dial in by phone: 888-844-9904; use access code 9780832. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. https://www.federalrelay.us/tty/. Additional details on the funding opportunity can be found at Wood Innovations Home page Instructions on how to apply for funding and the official application can be downloaded at the following weblinks. Request for Proposals and Instructions - Community Wood Grant, Fiscal Year 2022 Application - Community Wood Grant, Fiscal Year 2022

Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. From transportation to energy generation, the diesel engine powers almost every sector of the American economy. Due to improved EPA diesel engine regulations and emissions standards over the past few decades, engines currently coming off the manufacturing line are now sixty times cleaner than before. However, despite these tighter standards for new engines, the nearly eight million legacy diesel engines already in use continue to emit large amounts of PM2.5 and NOx. These air pollutants contribute to serious public health problems like asthma, lung disease, and various other cardiac and respiratory illnesses, which result in thousands of premature deaths, millions of lost workdays, and numerous other negative health impacts every year in the United States.The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program promotes an array of diesel emissions strategies by working with manufacturers, fleet operators, air quality professionals, environmental and community organizations and state and local officials to address the varying priorities of different regions and sectors. DERA supports environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas receiving disproportionate impacts from diesel fleets to provide an environment where all people enjoy the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards.

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program supports the Department’s strategic goal of increasing economic opportunity for HUD-assisted families. FSS provides grants to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to support the salaries and training needs of FSS Program Coordinators who assist participating families receiving housing assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV/PBV) and Public Housing (PH) programs. FSS Program Coordinators develop local strategies to connect participating families to public and private resources to increase their earned income and financial empowerment, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency. PHAs and each individual participating family execute a five-year Contract of Participation that incorporates the responsibilities of each party, as well as a training and services plan to help the family become more self-sufficient. PHAs are not permitted to limit FSS participation to those families most likely to succeed. On May 24, 2018, The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act became Public Law No: 115-174. Section 306 of the Act amended the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise the FSS program. The Act specifically changes program requirements related to program eligibility, escrow deposits, and supportive services; allows the Secretary to establish a funding formula; and extends eligibility for grant awards to private owners of project-based rental assistance (PBRA) properties. The changes to the FSS program are not in effect until HUD issues implementing regulations.

The Office of State and Community Energy Programs is issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled Energy Improvements at Public K-12 School Facilities - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) - Renew America's Schools. The activities to be funded under this FOA support BIL section 40541 and the broader government-wide approach to support projects that enable replicable and scalable impacts, create innovative, sustaining partnerships, leverage funding and economies of scale, focus on disadvantaged communities, improve student, teacher, and occupant health, enrich learning and growth, assist schools that serve as community assets (e.g., neighborhood cooling centers or disaster recovery shelters), and are crafted thoughtfully within the context of public school facilities (e.g., procurement restraints, construction windows, etc.). Topic Area 1 – High-Impact Energy Efficiency and Health Improvements Proposals contemplated under this topic area will include energy improvements that result in direct reduction to school energy costs, increase energy efficiency, and lead to improvements in teacher and student health, including indoor air quality. Energy cost savings may be realized by reduced loads and/or by demand flexibility and demand response approaches. Topic Area 2 - Innovative Energy Technology Packages Proposals contemplated under this topic include innovative energy technology packages. Applicants may include any improvement, repair, or renovation to a school that incorporates two or more of the following energy improvements: • Energy efficiency measures • Installation of renewable energy technologies • Alternative fueled vehicle infrastructure on school grounds • Purchase or lease of alternative fueled vehicles to be used by a school DOE expects to make a total of approximately $80,000,000 of federal funding available for new awards under this FOA, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. DOE anticipates making approximately 20-100 awards under this FOA. DOE may issue one, multiple, or no awards. Individual awards may vary between $500,000 and $15,000,000. Please see full announcement document at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/

The U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania announces an open call for a $250,000 24-month grant to a well-established Tanzanian media organization to establish and manage an investigative journalism support fund that will empower local journalists to report on public interest issues through capacity building and financial support.The U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam advocates for the establishment of a vibrant, independent, responsible, and diverse media sector in Tanzania that serves the public interest. Supporting investigative journalism is a crucial part of achieving this objective. Investigative reporting can draw attention to and sustain public interest in issues of national importance. Unfortunately, the economic challenges facing the media business in Tanzania means that reporters are rarely given the time or resources to conduct in-depth investigations. As a result, members of the public are deprived of information on issues that impact their lives, such as corruption, labor abuses, financial mismanagement, harmful environmental practices, and more.This project will address the problem described above by creating a media support fund that will empower local journalists to report on public interest issues through capacity building and financial support. The grantee will be in charge of managing and administering this fund and will issue small sub-grants to individual reporters who successfully pitch investigative stories falling within a defined set of sectors and topics.Successful proposals will clearly explain:• How the grantee will structure and administer the fund• Which themes and topics will be prioritized by the fund• How the fund will be promoted and advertised to the media sector• The number How the beneficiaries of the fund will be selected and on what basis “pitches” will be scored• Who will comprise the selection panel and on what basis the panel members will be chosen• How the fund will maintain impartiality and independence to guard against appearances of bias or favoritism in the distribution of funds• How distributed funds will be accounted for• How the fund will measure and evaluate success