As a member of Leader Hakeem Jeffries' Regional Leadership Council, I am helping lead the implementation and communication of the historic pieces of legislation passed last Congress such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Thanks to these new laws, there's funding for strengthening our economy, cutting costs for Americans, saving our planet, and more. With these opportunities available, I want to ensure that Delaware community-based organizations, state and local governments, nonprofits, small businesses and others remain informed about these opportunities.

Below you will find a collection of grants now available! If you have any questions or concerns about grants and federal funding opportunities, please contact my office. My team and I are here to serve you.

Additionally, my office is hosting its next Implementation Webinar with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 10:00 am. You can click to button below to register. More information is available on my website.

August 2023 Grants Newsletter

Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program

The RCN NOFO solicits grant applications for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot discretionary grant program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and for the newly created Neighborhood Access and Equity discretionary grant program, established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Under the combined RCN Program, USDOT offers three grant types: Capital Construction, Community Planning, and Regional Partnerships Challenge. A breakdown of these grants is below:

Capital Construction

To fund both reconnecting-focused projects and smaller projects focused on reducing environmental harm and improving access in disadvantaged communities. Projects may address: 

A dividing facility
Mitigating a “burdening” facility (a source of air pollution, noise, stormwater, or other burden)
Improving access and building or improving Complete Streets.

Community Planning

To provide funds for planning activities to support future construction projects and allow for innovative community planning to address localized transportation challenges. Projects may address:

- Planning to restore community connectivity
- Community/public engagement
- Assessing environmental impacts from transportation in underserved communities (i.e., air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, extreme heat hotspots, gaps in tree canopy coverage, or flood prone transportation infrastructure)
- Developing local anti-displacement policies and community benefit agreements

Regional Partnerships Challenge

To incentivize stronger partnerships between local governments, Tribal governments, MPOs/RPOs, State DOTs, and non-profit, private, and community partners to tackle persistent equitable access and mobility challenges, as well as greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Applicants must consist of a partnership between two or more eligible agencies.

Eligibility:

Capital Construction

Owner(s) of the eligible facility proposed in the project for which all necessary feasibility studies and other planning activities have been completed; or
a partnership between a facility owner (#1 above) and any eligible RCP Community Planning Grant applicant.

Community Planning Grants

a State;
a unit of local government;
a Tribal government;
a Metropolitan Planning Organization; or
a non-profit organization

Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants

A state or territory of the United States;
A unit of local government;
A political subdivision of a State;
A Tribal government;
A special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function;
A Metropolitan Planning Organization; or
A nonprofit organization or institution of higher education that has entered into a partnership with an eligible entity (#1-6 above) and is applying for planning and capacity building activities in disadvantaged or underserved communities.

How to Apply: Click here.

Deadline to Apply: September 23, 2023

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Ocean-Based Climate Resilience

The Climate Resilience Accelerators component of the Inflation Reduction Act will fund accelerator entities to support businesses navigating commercialization pathways for coastal and ocean-based resilience solutions related to NOAA’s mission to help communities prepare for, adapt to, and build resilience to climate challenges. The accelerators will support entrepreneurs and startups with training, resources, mentorship, and funding to bring ocean-based climate resilience solutions to market. Climate resilience focused start-ups and innovative technologies are critical to the growth of the resilience economy in the United States.

Eligibility:

County governments;
City or township governments;
Small businesses;
Private institutions of higher education;
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education;
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments);
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized);
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
State governments; and
Special district governments

How to Apply: Click here.

Deadline to Apply: September 11, 2023

Climate Program Office (CPO) NIHHIS FY2024 Department of Commerce

Climate variability and change present society with significant economic, health, safety, and security challenges. As part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) climate portfolio within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), the Climate Program Office (CPO) addresses these climate challenges by managing competitive research programs through which high-priority climate science, assessments, decision-support research, outreach, education, and capacity-building activities are funded to advance our understanding of the Earth’s climate system, and to foster the application and use of this knowledge to improve the resilience of our Nation and its partners. Through this announcement, CPO is seeking applications for three individual competitions in FY23. These competitions are relevant to one of the high-priority climate risk areas CPO is focusing on to improve science understanding and/or capabilities that result in user-driven outcomes: Extreme Heat.

This announcement is also supportive of NOAA’s FY22-26 Strategic Plan, particularly strategic goals of 1) Building a Climate Ready Nation and 2) Making Equity Central to NOAA’s Mission.

Eligibility:

Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, international organizations, and state, local and tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this notice.

How to Apply: Click here.

Deadline to Apply: October 16, 2023

Department of Energy: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Weatherization Program Assistance (WAP) Enhancement & Innovation

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Enhancement & Innovation grant, in support of Section 40551 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP). This FOA provides $25 million in competitive funding for WAP Grantees and Subgrantees (state, local, or Tribal governments) and non-profit organizations, with a $2 million maximum per award.

This FOA seeks applications to expand the impact of DOE's existing residential weatherization programs by utilizing leveraged resources and enhanced community partnerships to perform deep energy retrofits of low-income residential buildings and empower local community representation within the energy workforce. DOE seeks proposals that drive innovative approaches to program coordination and service delivery, while fostering the collaboration of dynamic and diverse teams.

Applicants can apply for one of the following three topic areas: Multifamily Housing, Single Family and Manufactured Housing and Workforce Development

Eligibility:

State governments;
County governments;
Special district governments;
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized);
City or township governments; and
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

How to Apply: Click here.

Deadline to Apply: Concept Paper Submission Deadline: August 31, 2023. Full application submission deadline: January 5, 2024, 5:00 PM ET

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC): FY 2023 Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program Phase 1 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (Recompete Pilot Phase 1 NOFO)

The Economic Development Agency (EDA) will seek to invest in programs and organizations that have a clear understanding of local conditions and pathways to create and connect people with good jobs while ensuring the program’s benefits are shared equitably and across diverse geographies. EDA’s longstanding mission is to ensure that all communities have a path to economic prosperity, and through the pilot program EDA will support communities with high prime-age employment gaps through flexible, bottom-up strategy and implementation grants that tackle the unique challenges these communities face.

Eligibility:

Unit of local government;
The District of Columbia;
Territory of the United States;
Tribal government;
Political subdivisions of a State or other entity, including a special-purpose entity engaged in economic development activities;
A public entity or nonprofit organization, acting in cooperation with the officials of a political subdivision of a State or other entity described in economic development district;
Coalition of any of the above entities that serve or are contained within an eligible geographic area; and
Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for funding under this NOFO

How to Apply: Click here.

Deadline to Apply: Phase 1 applications are due October 5, 2023

CHIPS Incentives Program – Commercial Fabrication Facilities

The CHIPS Incentives Program aims to catalyze long-term economically sustainable growth in the domestic semiconductor industry in support of U.S. economic and national security. This is the first Notice of Funding Opportunity under this program. It seeks applications for projects for the construction, expansion, or modernization of (a) commercial facilities for the front- and back-end fabrication of leading-edge, current generation, and mature-node semiconductors; (b) commercial facilities for wafer manufacturing; and (c) commercial facilities for materials used to manufacture semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, provided that the capital investment equals or exceeds $300 million.

Eligibility:

A nonprofit entity;
A private-sector entity;
A consortium of private-sector entities; or
A consortium of nonprofit, public, and private-sector entities with a demonstrated ability to substantially finance, construct, expand, or modernize a facility relating to fabrication, assembly, testing, advanced packaging, or production of semiconductors, materials used to manufacture semiconductors, or semiconductor manufacturing equipment

How to Apply: Click here.

Deadline to Apply: Statements of interest from all potential applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis, beginning on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Statements of interest must be submitted at least 21 days prior to submitting a pre-application or full application.

Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) Department of Agriculture Rural Business-Cooperative Service

The purpose of HBIIP is to increase significantly the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. The program is also intended to encourage a more comprehensive approach to market higher blends by sharing the costs related to building out biofuel-related infrastructure.

Under HBIIP, approximately $90 million is made available each quarter to:

Fueling stations, convenience stores, hypermarket fueling stations, fleet facilities, and similar entities with capital investments) for eligible implementation activities related to higher blends of fuel ethanol greater than 10 percent ethanol, such as E15 or higher; and biodiesel greater than 5 percent biodiesel, such as B20 or higher; and
Terminal operations, depots, midstream partners, and home heating oil distributors, for eligible implementation activities related to higher blends of fuel ethanol greater than 10 percent ethanol, such as E15 or higher, and biodiesel greater than 5 percent biodiesel, such as B20 or higher.

Eligibility:

For profit organizations other than small businesses;
Individuals;
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized);
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments);
City or township governments;
Small businesses;
Independent school districts;
County governments;
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education;
Private institutions of higher education;
Special district governments;
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education;
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education;
State governments;
Transportation fueling facilities including:
- Fueling stations, convenience stores, hypermarket fueling stations, fleet facilities (including rail and marine), and similar entities with capital investments;
Fuel distribution facilities, such as:
- Terminal operations, depots, and midstream partners, and similarly equivalent operations.
- Home heating oil distribution facilities.

How to Apply: Click here.

Deadline to Apply: October 12, 2023

Historic Preservation Fund- African American Civil Rights- History Grants

The National Park Service’s (NPS) African American Civil Rights Grant Program (AACR) will document, interpret, and preserve the sites and stories of the full history of the African American struggle to gain equal rights from transatlantic slave trade forward. The program funds history and preservation projects using the NPS report, Civil Rights in America, A Framework for Identifying Significant Sites, as a guide in determining the appropriateness of proposed projects and properties. AACR grants are funded by the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), administered by the NPS, and will fund a broad range of history projects including survey and planning, research and documentation, interpretation and education, and collections conservation.

Eligibility:

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education;
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education;
County governments;
Independent school districts;
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized);
Private institutions of higher education;
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education;
State governments;
Special district governments;
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); and
City or township governments

How to Apply: Click here.

Deadline to Apply: October 10, 2023

HOPE VI Main Street Grant Program Department of Housing and Urban Development

The purpose of the HOPE VI Main Street Program is to provide grants to small communities to assist in the renovation of an historic or traditional central business district, or “Main Street” area, by replacing unused, obsolete, commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units. The objectives of the program are to: Redevelop central business districts (Main Street areas);Preserve Historic or traditional Main Street area properties by replacing unused commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units; Enhance economic development efforts in Main Street areas; and Provide affordable housing in Main Street areas. Main Street grant funds can be used to build new affordable housing or reconfigure obsolete or surplus commercial space (or extremely substandard, vacant housing) into affordable housing units. The grant funds cannot be used on general infrastructure or commercial development. Main Street housing units must be affordable to the initial residents that occupy the Main Street housing project, as described in the Use Restrictions section of this NOFA. The funds in the NOFA must be used to assist Units of Local Government that have existing Main Street area rejuvenation projects and meet the population and public housing unit limits stated in the Eligibility section of this NOFA.

Eligibility:

City or township governments;
County governments; and
Special district governments

How to Apply: Click here.

Deadline to Apply: October 12, 2023

Sincerely,