Innovation Matter, April 27, 2022

Rural Infrastructure Opportunities

Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants
National Endowment for the Humanities 
National Endowment for the Humanities' Office of Challenge Grants offers both Capital Project and Digital Infrastructure funding supporting the design, purchase, construction, restoration or renovation of facilities for humanities activities. Application Deadline: 5/17/2022

Environmental Small Grants Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA is working to improve the environment and public health conditions of tribal governments, low-income communities, and communities of color through the advancement of racial equity and environmental justice. Application Deadline: 5/20/2022

Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects
U.S. Department of Transportation
This program is competitive funding for projects of national or regional significance, including infrastructure in rural areas and to support access to broadband or projects that affect public health. Application Deadline: 5/23/2022

States Economic Development Assistance Program 
Delta Regional Authority
This funding within the eight states served by the federal Delta Regional Authority may apply for grants supporting job creation and infrastructure at the community level. Program Manual. Application Deadline: 6/5/2022

Community and Economic Development Opportunities

USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Marketing Service funds will develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products by developing, coordinating, expanding and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, online sales or other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Application Deadline: 5/16/2022

USDA Regional Food System Partnerships
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Marketing Service program to support partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. Application Deadline: 5/16/2022

Community Economic Development Focus on Energy Communities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
HHS’s Administration for Children and Families offers support for Community Economic Development work, to Community Development Corporations, for projects in energy communities. Application Deadline: 5/19/2022

Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development grants to provide technical assistance and training to help grantees identify and plan for community facility needs in their area. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 5/23/2022 on Grants.gov | Paper applications to the State Office by 5/26/2022

Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service program to support the production and  marketing of climate-smart commodities via a set of pilot projects lasting one to five years. Press Release. Proposals Due: 5/27/2022

Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development technical assistance funds to support socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas with feasibility studies, business plans, strategic planning, and leadership training. Application Deadline: 6/13/2022

EDA’s 2022 Build to Scale Program
U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship is soliciting applications under two funding tiers, the Venture Challenge and Capital Challenge, to strengthen regional innovation initiatives and invest in local business startups. Press Release. Application Deadline: 6/13/2022

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities April 20, 2022

USDA Clean Energy Funding Opportunities

Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program that provides loan guarantees up to $250 million to assist in the development, construction and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies for: advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. Stakeholder Forum Video: Webcast. Required Letter of Intent Required: Open

Biofuel Producer Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program that authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments to U.S. based producers of advanced, cellulosic, or conventional biofuel, biomass-based diesel or renewable fuel to offset unexpected market losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal Register. Application Deadline: Open 

Rural Energy Savings Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program provides loans to entities who provide energy efficiency services in rural areas that agree to make affordable loans to help consumers implement cost effective, energy efficiency measures. Application Deadline: Open

Distributed Generation Energy Project Financing
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development loans and loan guarantees to energy project developers for distributed energy projects including renewables that provide wholesale or retail electricity to existing Electric Program borrowers or to rural communities served by other utilities. Application Deadline: Open

Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program provides funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Contact your State Energy Coordinator. Application Deadline: Guaranteed Loans-Open | Grants/Technical Assistance-Published annually in the Federal Register

Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audits & Renewable Energy Development Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to assist rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing renewable energy development assistance. Application Deadline: 1/31/2023

Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development grants to provide technical assistance and training to help grantees identify and plan for community facility needs in their area. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 5/23/2022 on Grants.gov | Paper applications to the State Office by 5/26/2022

Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service program to support the production and marketing of climate-smart commodities via a set of pilot projects lasting one to five years. Proposals Due: 5/27/2022

Environmental Quality Incentives Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offers a program to support Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Practices with a focus on Climate-Smart Forestry and Agriculture and Drought Resilience management practices. Application Deadline: Open

Other Federal Climate-Smart Funding Opportunities

Energy Efficiency Improvements and Renewable Improvements at Public School Facilities
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy offers competitive grants to make energy efficiency, renewable energy, and alternative fueled vehicle upgrades and improvements at public schools. Application Deadline: Open

Weatherization Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE offers funding to support the improvement of heating and cooling of dwellings by the installation of weatherization materials for efficiency modifications. Grantees may receive formula-based allocations and can perform weatherization retrofits. YouTube. Press Release. Energy Saver Tools. Application Deadline: Open

Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office provides capitalization grants to States to establish a revolving loan fund under which the State shall provide loans and grants for energy efficiency audits, upgrades, and retrofits to increase energy efficiency and improve the comfort of buildings. Application Deadline: Open until funds are expended

American Made Challenges: Perovskite Startup Prize
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office is looking for entrepreneurs to accelerate the development and manufacturing of perovskite solar cells. Assemble your team and apply by: 4/28/2022. 

Search the EERE Funding Opportunity Exchange for more DOE opportunities! 

WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects
Department of the Interior (DOI)
DOI’s Bureau of Reclamation funding for small-scale water efficiency projects. Application Deadline: 4/28/2022

Drivers and Environmental Impacts of Energy Transitions in Underserved Communities
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing community-engaged research that will address the drivers and environmental impacts of energy transitions in underserved communities. Application Deadline: 4/28/2022

For more DOI Energy Funding Opportunities click HERE. For additional EPA Grant Opportunities click HERE.

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities, 3/16/2022

Funding Opportunities for
Community and Economic Development

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program 
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program which provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations to help microenterprises startup/grow through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund and provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs. RMAP FY22 Funding Announcement. Application Deadline: Open

Community Innovations for Racial Equity Initiative
Build Healthy Places Network
Build Healthy Places Network, with funding from The Kresge Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, offer support to programs that address barriers within community development and health partnerships to effectively propel racial equity. Application Deadline: 3/18/2022

AARP Community Challenge
AARP
This small grant funds quick-action projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation and civic engagement. Deadline: 3/22/2022

Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Application Deadline: 3/31/2022

EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment
U.S. Department of Commerce
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) offers this commitment by allocating funding in their Build Back Better Regional Challenge grants and their Economic Adjustment Assistance grants to support coal communities. Application Deadline: 3/31/2022

Bus and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Program
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT’s Federal Transit Administration offers grants to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing, or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing, or leasing bus-related facilities. Rural area earmarks apply. Application Deadline: 3/31/2022

Rural Health Care Connect Fund and Telecommunications Program
Universal Service Administrative Co.
Both programs support discounts for rural eligible applicants on eligible broadband connectivity expenses. Application Deadlines: 4/1/2022

USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program 
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service builds non-competitive cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments and awards money for purchasing food from historically underserved farmers and ranchers. Application Deadline: 4/5/2022

Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service program for the production and marketing of climate-smart commodities. Application Deadlines: 5/6/2022 & 6/10/2022

Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development invests in rural transportation, through the Rural Business Development Grant, to build opportunity for prosperity for organizations seeking to improve passenger services and facilities. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 4/14/2022

Technical Assistance for Remote and Island Communities
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE’s Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project offers assistance to remote and island communities to transform their energy systems and increase energy resilience. Application Deadline: 4/15/2022

Rural Community Development Initiative
U.S. Department of Agriculture 
USDA Rural Development support for qualified intermediaries to improve housing and community facilities, and to implement community and economic development projects in rural areas. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 4/19/2022

Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development encourages a regional, innovation-driven approach to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income rural communities. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 4/19/2022

Rural Energy Pilot Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture 
USDA Rural Development offers this new program to support underserved communities deploy community-scale renewable energy technologies and innovations to reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. Federal Register. Letter of Intent Required by: 4/19/2022 

NEA Challenge America, FY2023
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
NEA offers funding to support projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Application Deadline: 4/21/2022

Apprenticeship Building America Grant Program
Department of Labor (DOL)
DOL’s Employment and Training Administration moves to strengthen, modernize and expand their programs by funding viable activities that will diversify the industries that utilize their services and increase services to underserved communities. Application Deadline: 4/25/2022

Value-Added Producer Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture 
USDA Rural Development program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 4/25/2022 on Grants.gov | Paper applications to the State Office by 5/2/2022

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities, February 15, 2022

Funding Opportunities for
Community and Economic Development

Economic Adjustment Assistance Program
U.S Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration (EDA) offers this flexible American Rescue Plan Act grants to support job creation/retention through construction, non-construction planning, workforce development, and entrepreneurship and recreation economy support. Application Deadline: Rolling | Contact your local Economic Development Representative

EDA’s Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Program
U.S Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration (EDA) is available to qualified applicants to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. Specific requirements apply. Application Deadline: Rolling, until funding is exhausted

Evidence for Action: Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Funds support research that expands the evidence needed to build a culture of health, with an explicit emphasis on advancing racial equity. Application Deadline: Open

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities: A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian and Delta Regions
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration grant to support workforce in the Appalachian and Delta Regions. Application Deadline: 3/8/2022

Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants 
Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
Grants to nonprofit organizations that provide services to improve the daily lives of people with paralysis and their families. Application Deadline: 3/9/2022

Farm and Food Worker Relief Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Agricultural Marketing Services program to supporting farmworkers and meatpacking workers. Application Deadline: 3/10/2022 

Garden Grant Program
Whole Kids Foundation
This program grant to support a new or existing edible educational garden located at either a K–12 School or non-profit organization that serves children in K-12 grades. Application Deadline: 3/11/2022 

Women’s’ Business Center (WBC) Grant: Supporting Minority Serving Institutions
Small Business Administration
WBC funding for qualified organizations (private and public) that support Minority Serving Institutions with entrepreneurial development services to women, with an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Application Deadline: 3/14/2022  

CDFI Program and NACA Program Application Round
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) and Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program) offer awards to support Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that provide affordable financing and related services to low-income communities and populations that lack access to credit, capital and financial services. Application Deadline: 3/14/2022

Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program
Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration funding to establish community health networks for sustainable placement opportunities and integrate newly trained public health professionals into quality organizations and care teams to support the provision of health care services in rural communities. Application Deadline: 3/18/2022

Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grants for scholarship programs leading to degrees within the Food and Agricultural sciences or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine to educate students in national need areas of the food and agricultural sciences and in rural economic, community and business development. Application Deadline: 3/23/2022

Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development invests in rural transportation, through the Rural Business Development Grant, to build opportunity for prosperity for organizations seeking to improve passenger services and facilities. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 4/14/2022 

Rural Community Development Initiative
U.S. Department of Agriculture 
USDA Rural Development support for qualified intermediaries to improve housing and community facilities, and to implement community and economic development projects in rural areas. Federal Register. Application Deadline: on Grants.gov 4/19/2022

Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development encourages a regional, innovation-driven approach to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income rural communities. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 4/19/2022

Rural Energy Pilot Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture 
USDA Rural Development offers this new program to support underserved communities deploy community-scale renewable energy technologies and innovations to reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. Federal Register. Letter of Intent Required: 4/19/2022

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration initiative aimed at reducing the morbidity and mortality of substance use disorder (SUD) in high-risk rural communities and improve to and quality of SUD and other behavioral health care services in rural communities. Application Deadline: 4/19/2022

Funding Opportunities for Rural Infrastructure

Broadband ReConnect Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers loans, grants, and loan-grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America that currently do not have sufficient access to broadband. Application Deadline: 2/22/2022

Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development partners with lenders to guarantee loans to help eligible entities expand meat and poultry processing capacity and finance other food supply chain infrastructure. Fact Sheet. Federal Register. Application Deadline: Until funds are exhausted

Emergency Rural Health Care Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development Track One: Recovery Grants provide immediate relief to address the economic conditions arising from the COVID-19 emergency. Application Deadline: Until funds are exhausted

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
U.S Department of Homeland Security
This program offers funding for hazard mitigation activities that promote climate adaptation and resilience with respect to those hazards. Application Deadline: 2/25/2022 

WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects Under the WIIN Act 
U.S. Department of the Interior 
The Bureau of Reclamation leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to support stakeholder efforts to stretch scarce water supplies and avoid conflicts over water. Application Deadline: 3/15/2022 

EPA - Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities 
Environmental Protection Agency
This program offers funds to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. Application Deadline: 3/25/2022 

Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical & Biobased Products Manufacturing Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture 
USDA Rural Development program that provides loan guarantees to assist in the development, construction and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies for advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. Application Deadline: 4/1/2022