FUNDING

1. Strategic Economic and Community Development

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is excited to share a new Rural Development funding opportunity authorized by Section 6025 of the 2014 Farm Bill. This new authority entitled Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) prioritizes projects that support the implementation of multi-jurisdictional plans under the Community Facilities Program, Water and Waste Disposal Program, Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program, and Rural Business Development Grant Program. Under this provision, up to 10 percent of each programs annual appropriations can be set aside and made available to eligible SECD applicants. Many communities already working together to develop multi-jurisdictional plans with the help of strategic partners including non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, university extensions, regional authorities, coalitions of counties/towns and federal special initiative coalitions. The goal of SECD is to promote collaboration in rural communities and across Rural Development agencies and programs. Communities are incentivized to align resources, develop long-term community and economic growth strategies and engage federal, state and local partners. By promoting this regional focus USDA resources can be more effectively utilized and have a larger impact on rural capacity building and wealth creation.

 

1. First Nations' Native Ag and Food Systems Initiative

First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) has opened two new grant opportunities under its Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI). In both cases, applications are due by February 17, 2017.  With the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Agua Fund, First Nations will award up to 12 grants of up to $35,000 each to support projects that aim to strengthen local food-system control; increase access to local, healthy and traditional foods; and decrease food insecurity and food deserts, all with an emphasis on serving Native American children and families. First Nations will also award up to 10 grants of up to $15,000 each to Native communities looking to conduct food sovereignty assessments in order to gain a better knowledge and understanding about the historical, current and future state of their local food systems. The Request for Proposals for program grants can be accessed at here. The Request for Proposals for the food sovereignty assessment grants can be accessed here. Organizations are invited to apply for one or both of these opportunities.

1. Addiction Technology Transfer Centers Cooperative Agreements
   Grants to develop and strengthen the specialized behavioral healthcare and primary healthcare workforce that provides substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Feb 9, 2017
   Sponsor: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

 

1. Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants
   Grants to nonprofit organizations that provide services to individuals with paralysis, with special consideration given to wounded military and their families.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Feb 15, 2017
   Sponsor: Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

 

1. Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program (Tribal SASP)
   Provides funding directly to tribes, tribal organizations, and nonprofit tribal organizations to create, maintain, and expand sustainable sexual assault services.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Letter of Intent (Optional): Feb 2, 2017
   Application Deadline: Feb 23, 2017
   Sponsors: Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice

 

1. Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Grants
   Provides funding to assist eligible entities to strengthen their organizational infrastructure and to increase their capacity to develop, enhance, or expand access to high quality HIV primary health care services for low-income, uninsured, underinsured and people in underserved or rural communities.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Feb 28, 2017
   Sponsor: Health Resources and Services Administration

 

1. Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health in American Indian and Alaskan Native Communities, U.S. Territories, and Pacific Jurisdictions Cooperative Agreements (Indigenous – Project LAUNCH)
   Grants to promote the wellness of young children from birth to 8 years within tribes, territories, and Pacific Island jurisdictions by addressing the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of their development to ensure children are thriving in safe, supportive environments, and entering school ready to learn and able to succeed.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 1, 2017
   Sponsors: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 

1. Grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity in Family Treatment Drug Courts
   Grants to enhance and expand substance use disorder treatment services in existing family treatment drug courts, that use the family treatment drug court model in order to provide alcohol and drug treatment for parents with a substance use disorder and/or co-occurring substance use disorder and mental disorders who have had a dependency petition filed against them or are at risk of such filing.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 3, 2017
   Sponsors: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 

1. Cooperative Agreements for Tribal Behavioral Health (Native Connections)
   Awards funding for pilot projects designed to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance abuse, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among American Indian/Alaska Native young people.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 9, 2017
   Sponsors: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

 

1. Telehealth Resource Center Grant Program
   Supports the establishment and development of Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs) which provide technical assistance to healthcare organizations, healthcare networks, and healthcare providers in the implementation of telehealth programs to serve rural and medically underserved areas and populations.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 16, 2017
   Sponsor: Office for the Advancement of Telehealth

 

1. Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program: Tribal Transit Program
   Funding to support planning, capital, and operating assistance for tribal public transit services. Among other things, this funding supports partnerships working to expand access to health, medical, and social service providers.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 20, 2017
   Sponsor: Federal Transit Administration

 

1. Water and Waste Revolving Loan Fund Grants
   Grant funds to establish a lending program that will finance water or wastewater systems for rural communities.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Feb 6, 2017
   Sponsor: USDA Rural Utilities Service

 

1. Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking
   Grants to support community-based organizations in providing culturally relevant services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Letter of Intent (Optional): Jan 26, 2017
   Application Deadline: Feb 16, 2017
   Sponsors: Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice

 

1. Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program
   Supports programs that provide assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are in need of 6-24 months of transitional housing, short-term housing assistance, and related support services.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Letter of Intent (Optional): Jan 12, 2017
   Application Deadline: Feb 16, 2017
   Sponsors: Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice

 

1. Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (Exploratory/Developmental - R21)
   Awards funding for exploratory or developmental research that targets the reduction of health disparities among children, including rural, low-income, geographically isolated children.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Jun 16, 2017
   Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
2. Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (Research Project - R01)
   Awards funding for discrete research projects that target the reduction of health disparities among children, including rural, low-income, geographically isolated children.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Jun 16, 2017
   Sponsor: National Institutes of Health

 

1. Department of Justice Public Safety FY2017 Grant Opportunity  

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has released the FY 2017 Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program (BCJI) funding opportunity. BCJI leads efforts to enhance the capacity of local and tribal communities to effectively target and address significant crime issues through collaborative cross-sector approaches that help advance broader neighborhood development goals. There is Promise Zone priority for this program. Apply by: February 2, 2017. To see a full list of BJA programs, click here. Sign up for the BJA newsletter here.

1. Department of Commerce’s FY2017 Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grant Opportunity

The FY2017 Economic Development Assistance Programs funding announcement was recently released. EDA provides strategic investments on a competitive merit basis to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States. Under this federal funding announcement, EDA solicits applications from applicants in order to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and EAA programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.

1. Housing Projects Serving Rural Veterans
   Offers funding to construct, renovate, or rehabilitate temporary and permanent veteran housing in rural areas of the United States.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Feb 3, 2017
   Sponsors: Home Depot Foundation, Housing Assistance Council

1. Household Water Well System Grants
   Provides grants to nonprofit organization to create lending programs for homeowners to borrow funds for the construction or repair of household water wells.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Feb 6, 2017
   Sponsor: USDA Rural Utilities Service

1. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Change Leadership Programs
   Four change leadership programs, designed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to extend the influence and impact of leaders working to build a Culture of Health. Helps develop and support leaders who are from or working with communities with limited resources and opportunities.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Feb 15, 2017
   Sponsor: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

1. NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program
   Offers loan repayment assistance to registered nurses, nurse practitioners, advanced practice nurses, and nursing school faculty who agree to work in underserved areas.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Feb 23, 2017
   Sponsor: Bureau of Health Workforce
2. Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Assistance Program
   Funding for collaborative projects designed to address and prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in rural communities.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Feb 23, 2017
   Sponsor: Office on Violence Against Women

1. Community Connect Broadband Grant Program
   Grants for communities without broadband service to provide residential service and connect facilities, such as police and fire stations, healthcare, libraries, and schools. Priority will be given to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 13, 2017
   Sponsor: USDA Rural Utilities Service
2. Udall Scholarship
   Offers scholarships to Native Americans and Alaska Native students pursuing careers related to tribal public policy, native health, or the environment.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 15, 2017
   Sponsor: Morris K Udall and Steward L Udall Foundation

1. Indian Health Service Health Professions Scholarship Program
   Provides scholarships for American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in a health professions program.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 28, 2017
   Sponsor: Indian Health Service
2. Indian Health Service Pre-Graduate Scholarship Program
   Provides scholarships for American Indian and Alaska Native students to enroll in courses leading to a bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-podiatry or pre-optometry.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 28, 2017
   Sponsor: Indian Health Service
3. Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship
   Provides scholarships for American Indian and Alaska Native students who are enrolled in undergraduate or preparatory courses in preparation for entry to health profession schools.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 28, 2017
   Sponsor: Indian Health Service
4. Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program
   This program furnishes loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas.
   Geographic coverage: Nationwide
   Application Deadline: Mar 31, 2017
   Sponsor: USDA Rural Utilities Service

1. USDA Announces $27 Million in Grants Available to Support the Local Food Sector

USDA’s Agricultural Marking Service (AMS) has announced the request for applications for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, which includes Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) grants, and the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).  These programs and other resources across USDA are helping to revitalize rural America by supporting local and regional food stakeholders. The grant applications for FSMIP, FMPP and LFPP must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov/  by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, March 27, 2017. 

1. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar in Your Community

DOE has launched its Solar in Your Community Challenge to support innovative and replicable community-based initiatives that bring solar power to low-income and underserved communities. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are eligible to participate in the Challenge, which aims to engage and support a wide variety of teams developing innovative and scalable business and financial models that can unlock the low- and moderate-income solar market. Teams will compete for $5 million in resources, including seed funding and technical assistance grants, and a $500,000 grand prize. Each team is expected to consist of a wide variety of stakeholders, including solar companies and entrepreneurs in partnership with key local stakeholders (e.g., utilities, banks, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and community leaders). Deadline: 3/17/2017.  

1. DOJ Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is offering funding to American Indians and Alaska Natives through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) initiative. Funds may be used to enhance law enforcement, bolster justice systems, prevent and control delinquency, strengthen the juvenile justice system, serve sexual assault and elder victims, and support other efforts to combat crime. Deadline: 2/28/2017. Click here to review funding guidelines.

1. NEA Art Works

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is offering grants through Art Works 1 for FY 2018. An organization may submit only one application through one of the following two FY 2018 categories: Art Works 1 or Challenge America. An organization may submit one additional application under the FY 2018 Art Works category for a Creativity Connects project. Deadlines: Art Works 1; 2/16/2017; Challenge America; 4/13/2017. Click here to review application guidelines for an Art Works 1 grant. Click here for guidelines on Challenge America grants.

1. CDFI Fund

The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has opened the fiscal year 2017 application period for the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program. Deadlines: qualified Issuer Applications must be submitted through AMIS by 3/3/2017; Guarantee Applications must be submitted through AMIS by 3/17/2017. Application materials are available on the CDFI Fund’s website here.