This is part of a series of messages from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to share updates on relevant Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) information related to energy and sustainability. This series will occur monthly and provide a snippet of upcoming federal grants, trainings, and other resources.

See below for the April 2023 update in the BIL and IRA Resources Series.?

FEDERAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES: The United States Department of Agriculture is making $1 billion available in competitive grants through the Urban and Community Forestry Grants Program. This program targets projects that increase equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated benefits in disadvantaged communities. States, local governments, tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and institutes of higher education are all eligible to apply. All funding agreements will be for a period of 5 years and are for projects between $100,000 and $50 million. Applications are due by June?1,?2023.?

The 2023 Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar, a United States Department of Energy prize competition, is accepting applications. The Sunny Awards recognize community solar projects that use or develop best practices to increase equitable access to the benefits of community solar energy for subscribers and communities. There are 50 prizes ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. The deadline to apply is July?14,?2023.?

The United States Department of Transportation?s Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program is now open. This competitive grant program seeks to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries for pedestrians, bicyclists, micromobility users (e.g., scooters), transit users, and motorists. There is more than $1.17 billion in funding available for planning, demonstration, and implementation grants. Applications are due by July?10,?2023.?

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a funding opportunity for the 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program. $400 million in competitive grants are available to fund electric or zero emissions school buses to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This program prioritizes school districts serving disadvantaged communities. The deadline to apply is August?22,?2023.?

OTHER FEDERAL SUPPORT: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is seeking participants for the Clean Energy to Communities Program: Peer-Learning Cohorts. These cohorts convene regularly for 6 months to exchange strategies and best practices, workshop program ideas and action plans, and receive support from subject matter and technical experts to accelerate clean energy progress focused on specific topic areas. Cohort topics for this round include planning and funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure deployment, implementing municipal clean energy procurement strategies, and incorporating community voices in clean energy planning and deployment. Even though only 15 communities can participate per topic, NREL has recently stated that there is still vacancy! Applications are due by May 8, 2023.

GRANT SUPPORT: Michigan local and tribal governments have the opportunity to get one-on-one technical assistance to help identify and apply for grants. Contact Kate Madigan ([email protected]), a consultant working with EGLE, to learn more.?

The Michigan Infrastructure Office also has a Technical Assistance Center that funds communities to directly contract with consultants through their Metropolitan Planning or Economic Development Organizations for grant writing, administration, and other services.