Federal Grant Opportunities: 11-28-2023

Federal Grant Opportunities: November 28, 2023 My office is sharing the following information on federal grant opportunities available to you. If you are applying for a grant that accepts Congressional letters of support, or if you are seeking additional information or guidance in your application process, please contact our office. We stand ready to assist you in your application in any way we can. Featured Funding OpportunitiesInflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants ProgramThe EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.The activities to be performed fall under the following categories:Climate resiliency and adaptation.Mitigating climate and health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions, and wildfire events.Community-led air and other (including water and waste) pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation.Investments in low- and zero-emission and resilient technologies and related infrastructure.Workforce development that supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants.Reducing indoor toxics and indoor air pollution.Facilitating the engagement of disadvantaged communities in state and federal advisory groups, workshops, rulemakings, and other public processes.The NOFO will be open for a year, closing on November 21, 2024, and EPA will review applications on a rolling basis. This allows applicants to utilize technical assistance and possibly resubmit a new application if not initially selected. EPA encourages applicants to apply as early as possible.There will be multiple informational webinars while the NOFO is open, with the first being held on December 7, 2023. Register for the December 7, 2023 WebinarPatrick Leahy Farm to School Grant ProgramThe Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is designed to increase the availability of local foods in schools and help connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for school meals. Grants can launch new farm to school programs or expand existing efforts.Eligible applicants may include schools and other institutions that operate child nutrition programs, tribal organizations, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, nonprofit entities, and state and local agencies.The deadline to submit applications is January 12, 2024.The Seeding Success Webinar Series is hosted by the Patrick Leahy Farm to School program and provides technical assistance to support Farm to School grantees to develop, expand, and maintain robust farm to school projects.Sustaining Cultural Heritage CollectionsThis program helps cultural institutions meet the complex challenge of preserving large and diverse holdings of humanities materials for future generations by supporting environmentally sustainable preventive care measures that mitigate deterioration, prolong the useful life of collections, reduce energy consumption, and strengthen institutions’ ability to anticipate and respond to disasters.The deadline to submit applications is January 12, 2024.DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry GrantsNew York was awarded $13.5 million from the Federal Urban and Community Forestry Program. This grant program is designed to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces in urban and community forests to support building a clean energy economy, advance environmental justice, and create economic opportunity.Applicants may apply for funding under two categories, Community Forest Management Plan Implementation ($10 million) and Ash Tree Management ($2.9 million). The maximum request is $500,000 per application and no match is required. All projects must take place in disadvantaged communities as identified by any of three Federal and State tools listed in the Request for Applications (RFA). The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Federal Newsletters, Webinars, and Guidebooks Benefit Cost Analysis for DOT Discretionary Grant ApplicationsThis webinar will focus on a new Benefit Cost Analysis tool that applicants can use in developing their DOT discretionary grant applications. It will also showcase a new Rural Grant Applicant Toolkit and provide an overview of new tools available on the DOT Navigator and upcoming funding opportunities.December 5, 2023 at 3:00-4:30 p.m. ET | Register here!Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes. The 2023-2024 Regular HEAP benefit opened on November 1, 2023.If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help you pay for heating your home.Apply Here!EPA Region 2 Technical Assistance and Funding Resources November 2023This guide is designed to assist community organizations, local governments, universities, and other partners in navigating technical assistance and funding opportunities across Region 2.Guide in EnglishGuide in Spanish The Inflation Reduction Act 101The Inflation Reduction Act delivers unmatched investments in clean energy and emerging technologies like offshore wind, advances environmental justice, creates good-paying clean jobs, slashes pollution, and so much more. Several State and Federal Agencies have created online hubs to help all Americans understand and access clean energy tax credits and forthcoming rebates.NYSERDA: NYS Guide to Inflation Reduction Act SavingsThis guide will unpack how IRA incentives work, introduce eligible clean energy technologies, and provide tips for making the most of IRA savings for your home or business.NYS Clean Heat – Heat Pump ProgramNYS Clean Heat rebates can be combined with federal tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Now you can save even more when you make the switch to heat pumps and other clean, efficient solutions.Department of Energy Savings Hub – Energy.gov/SaveSavings for HomeownersSavings for RentersSavings for DriversIRS Tax Credit Updates and Guidance Small Business ResourcesNew York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC)The NYSBDC provides small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York with the highest quality, confidential business counseling, training, and business research at no cost.The Albany Small Business Development Center serves small businesses in the Capital Region. Since its start in 1984, the expert advisors of the Albany SBDC have worked directly with 26,807 businesses, helping them to invest $495,947,350 in the area's economy, and create or save 14,766 jobs.You can make an appointment for counseling by calling 518-442-7232 or filling out their online form. Federal Funding Announcements This summary includes new or updated opportunities in the following areas. Please click on the topic below to view all grant announcements:Agriculture, Food and NutritionArts, Culture and HistoryBusiness, Jobs and Workforce DevelopmentChildren, Youth, Families, Older Americans and VeteransCommunity DevelopmentCrime Prevention, Justice and Public SafetyEducationEnergy, Environment and WildlifeHealthHousing and HomelessnessInfrastructure, Transportation and WaterInternational DevelopmentScience, Technology and Research This summary has been brought to you by the Office of Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20). Does one of these grants accept Congressional Letters of Support? Please contact our office to find out how Rep. Tonko can support your request. Grant deadlines and guidelines may change. Please check with the awarding agency before applying. Please feel free to share this newsletter with others who may be interested. To join or remove yourself from this mailing list, or if you have specific grant questions, please contact Natalie Lincoln at [email protected] or (518) 465-0700. image widgetimage widgetimage widgetimage widgetimage widget

Federal Grant Opportunities: November 28, 2023

My office is sharing the following information on federal grant opportunities available to you.

If you are applying for a grant that accepts Congressional letters of support, or if you are seeking additional information or guidance in your application process, please contact our office. We stand ready to assist you in your application in any way we can.

Featured Funding Opportunities

Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program
- The EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.
- The activities to be performed fall under the following categories:
  - Climate resiliency and adaptation.
  - Mitigating climate and health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions, and wildfire events.
  - Community-led air and other (including water and waste) pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation.
  - Investments in low- and zero-emission and resilient technologies and related infrastructure.
  - Workforce development that supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants.
  - Reducing indoor toxics and indoor air pollution.
  - Facilitating the engagement of disadvantaged communities in state and federal advisory groups, workshops, rulemakings, and other public processes.
- The NOFO will be open for a year, closing on November 21, 2024, and EPA will review applications on a rolling basis. This allows applicants to utilize technical assistance and possibly resubmit a new application if not initially selected. EPA encourages applicants to apply as early as possible.
- There will be multiple informational webinars while the NOFO is open, with the first being held on December 7, 2023. Register for the December 7, 2023 Webinar
Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program
- The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is designed to increase the availability of local foods in schools and help connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for school meals. Grants can launch new farm to school programs or expand existing efforts.
- Eligible applicants may include schools and other institutions that operate child nutrition programs, tribal organizations, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, nonprofit entities, and state and local agencies.
- The deadline to submit applications is January 12, 2024.
- The Seeding Success Webinar Series is hosted by the Patrick Leahy Farm to School program and provides technical assistance to support Farm to School grantees to develop, expand, and maintain robust farm to school projects.
Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections
- This program helps cultural institutions meet the complex challenge of preserving large and diverse holdings of humanities materials for future generations by supporting environmentally sustainable preventive care measures that mitigate deterioration, prolong the useful life of collections, reduce energy consumption, and strengthen institutions’ ability to anticipate and respond to disasters.
- The deadline to submit applications is January 12, 2024.
DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Grants
- New York was awarded $13.5 million from the Federal Urban and Community Forestry Program. This grant program is designed to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces in urban and community forests to support building a clean energy economy, advance environmental justice, and create economic opportunity.
- Applicants may apply for funding under two categories, Community Forest Management Plan Implementation ($10 million) and Ash Tree Management ($2.9 million). The maximum request is $500,000 per application and no match is required. All projects must take place in disadvantaged communities as identified by any of three Federal and State tools listed in the Request for Applications (RFA). The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.

Federal Newsletters, Webinars, and Guidebooks

Benefit Cost Analysis for DOT Discretionary Grant Applications
- This webinar will focus on a new Benefit Cost Analysis tool that applicants can use in developing their DOT discretionary grant applications. It will also showcase a new Rural Grant Applicant Toolkit and provide an overview of new tools available on the DOT Navigator and upcoming funding opportunities.
- December 5, 2023 at 3:00-4:30 p.m. ET | Register here!
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes. The 2023-2024 Regular HEAP benefit opened on November 1, 2023.
- If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help you pay for heating your home.
- Apply Here!
EPA Region 2 Technical Assistance and Funding Resources November 2023
- This guide is designed to assist community organizations, local governments, universities, and other partners in navigating technical assistance and funding opportunities across Region 2.
- Guide in English
- Guide in Spanish

The Inflation Reduction Act 101

The Inflation Reduction Act delivers unmatched investments in clean energy and emerging technologies like offshore wind, advances environmental justice, creates good-paying clean jobs, slashes pollution, and so much more.
Several State and Federal Agencies have created online hubs to help all Americans understand and access clean energy tax credits and forthcoming rebates.
- NYSERDA: NYS Guide to Inflation Reduction Act Savings
  - This guide will unpack how IRA incentives work, introduce eligible clean energy technologies, and provide tips for making the most of IRA savings for your home or business.
- NYS Clean Heat – Heat Pump Program
  - NYS Clean Heat rebates can be combined with federal tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Now you can save even more when you make the switch to heat pumps and other clean, efficient solutions.
- Department of Energy Savings Hub – Energy.gov/Save
  - Savings for Homeowners
  - Savings for Renters
  - Savings for Drivers
- IRS Tax Credit Updates and Guidance

Small Business Resources

New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC)
- The NYSBDC provides small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York with the highest quality, confidential business counseling, training, and business research at no cost.
- The Albany Small Business Development Center serves small businesses in the Capital Region. Since its start in 1984, the expert advisors of the Albany SBDC have worked directly with 26,807 businesses, helping them to invest $495,947,350 in the area's economy, and create or save 14,766 jobs.
  - You can make an appointment for counseling by calling 518-442-7232 or filling out their online form.

Federal Funding Announcements

This summary includes new or updated opportunities in the following areas. Please click on the topic below to view all grant announcements:

This summary has been brought to you
by the Office of Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20).
Does one of these grants accept Congressional Letters of Support?
Please contact our office to find out how Rep. Tonko can support your request.

Grant deadlines and guidelines may change.
Please check with the awarding agency before applying.

Please feel free to share this newsletter with others who may be interested.
To join or remove yourself from this mailing list, or if you have specific grant questions, please contact Natalie Lincoln at [email protected] or (518) 465-0700.