As a member of Rep. Steny Hoyer's Regional Leadership Council, I am helping lead the implementation and communication of the historic pieces of legislation passed last Congress. I want ensure that Delaware community-based organizations, state and local governments, nonprofits, small businesses and others remain informed about funding opportunities available through this new legislation.

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.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Grant Program

The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants for lead reduction projects in disadvantaged communities in two National Priority Areas as described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The EPA expects to make at least one award under each National Priority Area but may redistribute the awards differently based on the quality of applications received and other applicable considerations. Awards made under the funding opportunity are intended to promote public health and support the Justice40 initiative by addressing conditions that contribute to increased concentrations of lead in drinking water. Proposed projects must include at least one or more disadvantaged community. Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the proposed project:(i) is in and/or benefits a disadvantaged community(ies); (ii) benefits drinking water systems with at least one lead action level exceedance within the last three years or addresses lead levels in drinking water in schools/childcare facilities; and (iii) supports the Justice40 initiative.

Eligibility:

Community water systems
Water systems located in an area governed by an Indian Tribe1
Non-transient non-community water systems
Qualified nonprofit organizations servicing a public water system2
Municipalities
State, interstate, or intermunicipal agencies

How to apply: Click here

Deadline: December 30, 2024

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program

The overall purpose of the Older Adult Home Modification Program (OAHMP) is to assist experienced nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and public housing authorities in undertaking comprehensive programs that make safety and functional home modification repairs and renovations to meet the needs of low-income seniors. The goal of the home modification program is to enable low-income elderly persons to remain in their homes through low-cost, low barrier, high impact home modifications to reduce older adults’ risk of falling, improve general safety, increase accessibility, and to improve their functional abilities in their home. This will enable older adults to remain in their homes, that is, to “age in place,” rather than move to nursing homes or other assisted care facilities.

Eligibility:

City or township governments
Special district governments
State governments
County governments
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

How to apply: Click here

Deadline: November 19, 2024

Department of Commerce: FY 2024 Build to Scale

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) invites organizations that support technology- and innovation-centric, high-growth companies (including but not limited to startups) as they develop, demonstrate, and deploy the next generation of critical and emerging technologies to apply for Build to Scale funding. The Build to Scale program aims to: (1) build public and private capacity for entrepreneurs and innovators to invent, improve, and bring to market new products and services in critical, emerging, and transformative sectors and industries; (2) accelerate the growth of regional economies that are focused on industries of the future; (3) empower communities to provide proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance to technology innovators and entrepreneurs; and (4) equitably and inclusively increase access to capital for technology-enabled entrepreneurs.

Eligibility:

Private, public, and state institutions of higher education
State, local, or Tribal government
Private, nonprofit organization that has nonprofit status

How to apply: Click here

Deadline to apply: October 28, 2024

Environmental Protection Agency: Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program

The Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program (Community Change Grants), created by the Inflation Reduction Act, offers an unprecedented $2 billion in grants under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. This historic level of support will enable communities and their partners to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and for generations to come.

Eligibility:

a partnership between two community-based nonprofit organizations (CBOs) as defined in the NOFO, or
a partnership between a CBO and one of the following: a federally recognized Tribe, a local government, or an institution of higher education.

How to apply: Click here

Deadline to apply: November 21, 2024

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) - Foundational and Applied Science Program

The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. The six priority areas are: Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Agriculture Systems and Technology; and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. Research-only, extension-only, and integrated research, education and/or extension projects are solicited in this Request for Applications (RFA). See Foundational and Applied Science RFA for specific detail.

Eligibility:

1862 Land-Grant Institutions
1890 Land-Grant Institutions
1994 Land-Grant Institutions
For-profit Organizations Other Than Small Businesses
Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Individuals
Native American Tribal Orgs, not Federally recognized Tribal Governments
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than Institutions of Higher Ed
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than Institutions of Higher Ed
Other or Additional Information (See below)
Small Business
State Agricultural Experiment Stations
State Controlled Institutions of Higher Ed

How to apply: Click Here

Deadline: December 31, 2024

Environmental Protection Agency: Clean School Bus Program Rebates

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 authorizes the EPA to offer rebates to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models. The 2024 Clean School Bus Rebates process includes SAM.gov account registration, rebate application submission, review and selection by the EPA, selectees will then submit purchase orders to request payment and then receive payment, which is followed by new bus delivery, existing bus replacement, and project close out.

Eligibility:

Public School Districts (local or state governmental entities, and public charter schools, as well as regional Education Service Agency (RESA) or Joint Transportation Agency (JTA), with a National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) ID specific to either the RESA or JTA)
Tribal Applicants (an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Tribally-controlled school)
Third Parties (nonprofit school transportation associations and eligible contractors)

How to apply: Click here

Deadline to apply: January 9, 2025

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program

This notice identifies the objectives for Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP) projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions. In FY 2024 NIFA’s CFPCGP intends to solicit applications and fund two types of grants. The grant types are (1) Planning Projects (PP) and (2) Community Food Projects (CFP).

Eligibility:

Applicants for the CFPCGP must meet all the eligibility requirements stated in this RFA and provide qualifying documentation to support their eligibility for this program at the time of application. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award.
Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply for this program.
For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

How to apply: Click here

Deadline to apply: November 7, 2024

Sincerely,