Funding Opportunities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) seeks to support a Research Training Program for college and university students. The objective of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to support the training of undergraduate and graduate students on site at EPA’s research facility located in Ada, Oklahoma. ORD conducts timely, mission-relevant, solution-oriented research based on the principles of integrity, sustainability, and responsiveness to the needs of the Nation. The Environmental Research Apprenticeship Program (ERAP) for College and University Students is designed to increase both the effectiveness and number of future environmental scientists and technicians by allowing trainees to collaborate with senior EPA-ORD scientists. The overall goal is to train the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scientists and engineers to further the Agency’s mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, manage chemical risks, protect, and restore land, and protect America's water. The training will be conducted at EPA’s facilities in Ada, Oklahoma. Some examples of the fields of study for desirable trainees include (but are not limited to) those majoring in environmental science, water policy, chemistry, engineering, computer science, ecology, and physical and biological sciences.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD), as part of the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program and in collaboration with the Air, Climate, and Energy (ACE) research program, is seeking applications proposing community-engaged research in underserved communities to advance the use of air pollution data and communication of air quality information for empowering local decisions and actions that address community-identified air pollution concerns. Specifically, this funding opportunity is soliciting research projects that involve substantial engagement with communities, community-based organizations, and/or Tribes to address both of the following priorities:

methods and tools for data integration and analysis to characterize community exposures to air pollution in underserved communities
effective communication of air quality information to communities and decision makers to support actions to address air pollution concerns in underserved communities
This research solicitation supports the Administration’s priorities to address environmental justice (EJ), such as described in the following Executive Orders:

Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
Executive Order 14091: Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
Executive Order 14096: Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All

Sustainable chemistry produces compounds or materials with intentional design, manufacture, use, and end-of-life management. Across their lifecycle, sustainable chemicals promote circularity, meet societal needs, and contribute to economic resilience. The introduction of more sustainable chemical products, processes, and technologies are needed to address emerging and growing challenges and opportunities for the economy, climate action, and environmental justice. This Request for Applications (RFA) is soliciting research for data, methods, and systems that lead to actionable, scalable change toward chemistry, chemicals, and products that support sustainable chemistry.

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development (EWD) focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for the AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development program areas to support:

1. professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals;

2. non-formal education that cultivates food and agricultural interest in youth;

3. workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges;

4. training of undergraduate students in research and extension;

5. fellowships for predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars.

This FOA solicits proposals for RD&D associated with Scalable Concentrating Solar Collectors, Scalable Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (sCO2) and Scalable Concentrating Solar-thermal Receivers and Reactors. The three technologies will support the government-wide approach to the climate crisis by driving the innovation that can lead to the deployment of clean energy technologies, which are critical for climate protection.

FY2024 Vehicle Technologies Office Research & Development Funding Opportunity Announcement

This FOA will advance Research and Development in several areas critical to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, including: development of innovative battery chemistries, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in off-road vehicles, improving transportation efficiency via connected vehicles, domestic production of electric steels and improved cybersecurity for electric vehicle charging.

Purpose:
The Impact Projects grant program intends to support collaborative projects that center artists and artistic practice in responding to issues experienced by historically and systemically under-resourced communities in California at this time, including, but not limited to, social, political, and economic inequalities.

Description:
Impact Projects grants support arts organizations for collaborations between local artist(s) and community members to develop and express their own creative and artistic goals and address a community-defined need. Collaborative projects will utilize various creative practices to impact social issues affecting their communities, including but not limited to systemic marginalization, incarceration/justice systems, arts learning, poverty/economic disparity, health disparities, accessibility for people with disabilities, housing insecurity, violence, food insecurity, cultural/social justice, intergenerational/multigenerational learning, veterans’ issues, and environmental sustainability

Purpose:
The State-Local Partners (SLP) program provides general operating support and technical assistance for county-designated local arts agencies. The purpose of the program is to foster cultural development on the local level through a partnership between the State and the counties of California.

Description:
The nature of this partnership includes funding, information exchange, cooperative activities, and leadership. The partnership enables individuals, organizations, and communities to create, present, and preserve the arts of all cultures to enrich the quality of life for all Californians.

In recent years, California has experienced increased electrical system outages caused by climate-related events such as increased wildfires, heat waves, and storms, or through public safety power shutoffs (PSPS). These events, as well as aging infrastructure, threaten grid reliability, public health and safety, economic prosperity, communities, and ecosystems. They also pose disproportionate consequences for the most vulnerable populations in both rural and urban areas.

The intent of this solicitation is to invest in projects that increase the electric reliability and resiliency of communities in California by reducing outage frequency, duration, magnitude, and associated community impacts, while bolstering California’s workforce and promoting equity.

The CERRI Program is designed to prioritize projects that will generate the greatest community benefit by reducing the likelihood and consequences of electrical system outages. As such, projects that are close to shovel-ready, have initiated the environmental review process, or leverage otherwise stranded assets or existing infrastructure will be scored favorably based on criteria listed in Section IV.F. The objectives are oriented around four main themes outlined below. These themes are not listed in rank order.

Energy reliability and resilience: Reduce the frequency, duration, and magnitude of power outages and strengthen communities’ ability to function during power outages by providing day-to-day and emergency services for its constituents.
Community Benefits: Ensure that the benefits of clean, safe, affordable, and reliable energy are shared by all, particularly communities with critical energy reliability and resilience needs.
Advancement of Energy and Climate Goals: Support California’s energy modernization and climate goals.
Workforce Development and Labor: Create high-quality jobs with strong labor standards and protections that attract and train a skilled workforce for lasting careers in the clean energy industry.

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture – U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: Conservation Technical Assistance: Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) Cooperative Agreements

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-ST-24-NOFO0001313

Assistance Listing: This program is listed in the Assistance Listings (previously referred to as the Catalog of Federal Financial Assistance) on Sam.gov under 10.902, which can be found at: https://sam.gov/content/home

SAM is a web-based, government-wide application that collects, validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the federal government's trading partners in support of the contract awards, grants, and electronic payment processes.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) delivers conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world. NRCS provides leadership and funding to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching historically underserved farmers and ranchers and Native American tribal governments and organizations. NRCS is committed to advancing equity, justice, and equal opportunity to ensure equitable access to programs and services available on private agricultural and forest lands.

The goal of this funding opportunity is for NRCS, in collaboration with a diverse set of partners, including historically underserved farmers and ranchers and their organizations, to expand the delivery of conservation technical assistance to support grazing planning and conservation practice implementation and monitoring, conferences and other education, demonstrations, producer networks, workforce training, research and outreach projects to improve agricultural resilience. The anticipated amount for cooperative agreements under this NFO is approximately $22 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024.

FY 2024 GLCI funding supports the Conservation Technical Assistance: Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) Cooperative Agreements. GLCI also supports NRCS technical assistance for grazing, as well as the National Grazing Lands Coalition to help state grazing coalitions form and persist with participation from historically underserved producers and Native American tribal governments and organizations.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time May 26, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov

Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 25, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts

A total of $14,000,000 will be made available with a funding ceiling of $1,000,000 and a funding floor of $350,000 for three or four-year agreements.

A total of $8,000,000 will be made available with a funding ceiling of $300,000 and a funding floor of $100,000 for one or two-year agreements.

The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.

Applicants may apply for either of the two types of agreements.

Federal Financial Assistance Training

The funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/resources/federal-financial-assistance-training/.

It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).