FUNDING:
Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking applications for a Notice of Funding Availability for a Ladders of Opportunity Initiative Pilot On-the-Job-Training Supportive Services (OJT/SS) Program. The FHWA is seeking projects that create new nationally or regionally significant workforce development programs or that augment or replicate successful existing programs that will benefit highway construction firms or the highway construction industry. Read the Ladders of Opportunity Initiative Pilot NOFA.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program
USDA announced the availability of up to $16.8 million in funding to help participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables. The funding is available to local, state and national organizations to test incentive strategies to help SNAP participants better afford healthy foods. This is the second round of awards to be made under the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program created by the 2014 Farm Bill. USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will administer the grants. Applications are due December 16, 2015. NIFA will host a webinar for applicants on October 14, 2015 at 2:00 PM, EDT. Access the webinar here.
EPA Announces $13.2M in Brownfield Funds Across the Country
The U.S. EPA announced approximately $13.2 million in supplemental funding to help transform communities by cleaning up contaminated Brownfields properties. Funding will be given to 31 successful RLF grantees helping 44 communities carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects.
NSF, NIST Commit $5.8M to Establish National Consortium on Advanced Manufacturing
On National Manufacturing Day, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced they will commit $5.8 million over the next three years to establish and sustain a consortium focused on the identification of new, emerging areas of advanced manufacturing. Led by the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, the Alliance for Manufacturing Foresight (MForesight) will provide a channel for rapid input from industrial, academic and other private sectors on future manufacturing technologies. It also will work to help align advanced manufacturing research with national priorities and challenges to ensure efficient use of federal and private funding and increased returns on investments for both parties. MForesight already has established partnerships with more than 30 thought leader/organizations from industry, professional associations and academia to help build an inclusive community focused on advanced manufacturing research and development, education, and training. Read the announcement…