Federal Grant Opportunities: 1-27-2026

Federal Grant Opportunities: January 27, 2026 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. Featured Funding Opportunities2026 Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) ProgramsIMLS supports and advances the work of museums, libraries, and related institutions across the U.S. Through a wide range of grant programs, it empowers these organizations to enhance their services, foster innovation, and address community needs. The available grants are designed to cater to the diverse missions of these institutions, promoting growth and sustainability. Below are a few examples of its programming:21st Century Museum Professionals ProgramThis program supports projects that build career pathways, strengthen professional networks, and identify and share effective workforce education and training practices in the museum field.Museums for America (MFA)This program invests in museums of all sizes and disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities. Inspire Grants for Small Museums (Inspire)This is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program designed to support small museums of all disciplines.Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21)This program support the development of a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country. Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC)This program builds the capacity of African American museums and supports the growth and development of museum professionals at African American museums. The program supports projects that nurture museum professionals, build institutional capacity, and increase access to museum and archival collections at African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Many of these programs have a deadline of March 13, 2026.Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) - Spring 2026 Grant Round Now OpenThe NBRC is a Federal-State partnership for economic and community development within the most distressed counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.Each year, NBRC accepts applications during Spring and Fall rounds for three of its programs:Catalyst Program: This Program supports a broad range of economic development initiatives that modernize and expand water and wastewater systems; revitalize transportation infrastructure; establish workforce development programs and facilities; grow outdoor recreation infrastructure and economies; and construct new childcare and healthcare facilities.Forest Economy Program: This Program 1) emphasizes the potential for impact across the entire NBRC region; and 2) Infrastructure must directly support the forest industry.Timber for Transit: This Program advances the use of wood materials and composites through applied research and demonstration projects.For example, communities planning to build or replace bridges on local roads or trails may qualify for new funding through Timber for Transit Program. Join the Upcoming Informational Webinar: Tuesday, January 28, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Learn about the application process, project eligibility, and how timber can be incorporated into local bridge and transportation improvements.Pre-applications are due by February 27, 2026.Eligible projects must be located in Rensselaer, Saratoga, or Schenectady Counties. A local match of 20%-50% is required.NYS Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant ProgramThe SFY2025-2026 Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program is a state-funded $25,000,000 competitive grant program that supports the enhancement of the security and safety of the citizens of New York State by providing critical funding to strengthen volunteer fire departments and districts statewide.Eligible applicants can apply for up to $1,000,000 if proposing projects for construction, renovation, or purchase costs for critical facilities (buildings, training facilities, etc.) that support fire operations, or up to $500,000 if proposing projects for allowable fire service equipment to upgrade and improve their response capabilities.The application deadline is February 25, 2026, by 5:00 pm. NYS Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant Program (MPR)$10 million will be made available for the second round of the MPR Grant Program to fund the development and improvement of municipal parks and recreation sites statewide. Funds for the MPR Grant Program are provided by the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022.MPR funding is available for the construction of recreational facilities and other improvements to municipally owned recreational sites and parks. Examples include playgrounds, courts, playing fields, and facilities for swimming, biking, boating, picnicking, hiking, fishing, camping or other recreational activities.The application period opened on December 31, 2025 and applications must be submitted by February 9, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Awards are expected to be announced no earlier than May 22, 2026. Small Business ResourcesNew York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC)For over forty years, the New York SBDC network has been the backbone for small businesses. With 20 regional centers, over 70 satellite locations, and hundreds of dedicated experts, we understand every industry, every region, and every phase of the lifecycle of a business.Advisory and Core ServicesGet free services. Access no-cost, personalized 1-on-1 advising for every stage of your journey.Business EducationGet educated. Access their resource library and learning opportunities from across the state.Research + DataGet research-driven insights. Access their research network + data to support your project.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 28,053 businesses, helping them to invest $543,926,495 in the area's economy, and create or save 15,244 jobs.You can make an appointment for counseling by calling 518-442-7232 or filling out their online form. Federal Funding AnnouncementsThis 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 widget

Federal Grant Opportunities: January 27, 2026

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.

Featured Funding Opportunities

2026 Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Programs
- IMLS supports and advances the work of museums, libraries, and related institutions across the U.S. Through a wide range of grant programs, it empowers these organizations to enhance their services, foster innovation, and address community needs. The available grants are designed to cater to the diverse missions of these institutions, promoting growth and sustainability. Below are a few examples of its programming:
  - 21st Century Museum Professionals Program
    - This program supports projects that build career pathways, strengthen professional networks, and identify and share effective workforce education and training practices in the museum field.
  - Museums for America (MFA)
    - This program invests in museums of all sizes and disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities.
  - Inspire Grants for Small Museums (Inspire)
    - This is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program designed to support small museums of all disciplines.
  - Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21)
    - This program support the development of a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country.
  - Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC)
    - This program builds the capacity of African American museums and supports the growth and development of museum professionals at African American museums. The program supports projects that nurture museum professionals, build institutional capacity, and increase access to museum and archival collections at African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
- Many of these programs have a deadline of March 13, 2026.
Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) - Spring 2026 Grant Round Now Open
- The NBRC is a Federal-State partnership for economic and community development within the most distressed counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.
- Each year, NBRC accepts applications during Spring and Fall rounds for three of its programs:
  - Catalyst Program: This Program supports a broad range of economic development initiatives that modernize and expand water and wastewater systems; revitalize transportation infrastructure; establish workforce development programs and facilities; grow outdoor recreation infrastructure and economies; and construct new childcare and healthcare facilities.
  - Forest Economy Program: This Program 1) emphasizes the potential for impact across the entire NBRC region; and 2) Infrastructure must directly support the forest industry.
  - Timber for Transit: This Program advances the use of wood materials and composites through applied research and demonstration projects.
    - For example, communities planning to build or replace bridges on local roads or trails may qualify for new funding through Timber for Transit Program. Join the Upcoming Informational Webinar:
      Tuesday, January 28, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
      Learn about the application process, project eligibility, and how timber can be incorporated into local bridge and transportation improvements.
- Pre-applications are due by February 27, 2026.
- Eligible projects must be located in Rensselaer, Saratoga, or Schenectady Counties. A local match of 20%-50% is required.

NYS Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program
- The SFY2025-2026 Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program is a state-funded $25,000,000 competitive grant program that supports the enhancement of the security and safety of the citizens of New York State by providing critical funding to strengthen volunteer fire departments and districts statewide.
- Eligible applicants can apply for up to $1,000,000 if proposing projects for construction, renovation, or purchase costs for critical facilities (buildings, training facilities, etc.) that support fire operations, or up to $500,000 if proposing projects for allowable fire service equipment to upgrade and improve their response capabilities.
- The application deadline is February 25, 2026, by 5:00 pm.
NYS Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant Program (MPR)
- $10 million will be made available for the second round of the MPR Grant Program to fund the development and improvement of municipal parks and recreation sites statewide. Funds for the MPR Grant Program are provided by the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022.
- MPR funding is available for the construction of recreational facilities and other improvements to municipally owned recreational sites and parks. Examples include playgrounds, courts, playing fields, and facilities for swimming, biking, boating, picnicking, hiking, fishing, camping or other recreational activities.
- The application period opened on December 31, 2025 and applications must be submitted by February 9, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Awards are expected to be announced no earlier than May 22, 2026.

Small Business Resources

New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC)
- For over forty years, the New York SBDC network has been the backbone for small businesses. With 20 regional centers, over 70 satellite locations, and hundreds of dedicated experts, we understand every industry, every region, and every phase of the lifecycle of a business.
- Advisory and Core Services
  - Get free services. Access no-cost, personalized 1-on-1 advising for every stage of your journey.
- Business Education
  - Get educated. Access their resource library and learning opportunities from across the state.
- Research + Data
  - Get research-driven insights. Access their research network + data to support your project.
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 28,053 businesses, helping them to invest $543,926,495 in the area's economy, and create or save 15,244 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.