Climate & Community Development

EPA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. They are designed to deliver on the transformative potential of the IRA for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments.

Apply here: https://forms.office.com/g/qpfE3FKjBU - The TCTA program, funded in FY22 with $5 million, is designed to support the coordination and integration of transportation and housing in infrastructure planning and implementation.

Priority will be given to jurisdictions with populations of less than 250,000 people.

Community Economic Development

to help LDDs increase staffing and capacity to support local governments and nonprofits in the management of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and other sources.

HUD welcomes applications from local governments looking for technical assistance (TA) under the DCTA program. This program is designed to build capacity of local governments experiencing economic distress and assist local governments and their nonprofit partners in alleviating persistent poverty in specific areas (census tracts). Through DCTA, HUD provides TA directly to entities serving smaller communities with populations under 50,000.

Local governments also have the opportunity to submit their TA request in partnership with other local government(s) or nonprofit organization(s).

Submit your request for technical assistance via this online form.

For more information, click the title of this announcement. Please email distressedcities@hud.gov with any questions or for more clarification on the guidelines of this program.

Deadline: Rolling

Through DCTA, HUD provides technical assistance (TA) directly to entities serving smaller communities with populations under 50,000.

Economic & Community Development

The USDA is seeking applications for funding to support projects that will help rural people and economies prepare for the future. SECD supports projects that promote and implement strategic community investment plans. These plans use the unique strengths of rural communities to advance prosperity.

To apply, applicants must meet covered program requirements and submit the Form RD 1980-88 to the nearest USDA office.

For more information, please contact gregory.batson@usda.gov.

Deadline: Rolling

This funding is executed through existing RD programs. See table "description" for program and amount designated for SECD

Reauthorizes the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program through 2026 at current funding level of $50 mil annually. Adds requirement for EPA to create and implement an outreach plan to promote available financial assistance opportunities to small communities and rural communities (defines rural as 10,000 people or less)

To help low-income households afford broadband. Discount on internet service of up to $30/month, and $75/month if on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop/desktop/tablet computer. Eligible households apply directly for discount + contact preferred participating provider to select a discounted plan; ISPs are reimbursed the discounted amount via the federal gov. Per the legislation, the FCC may provide grants to outreach partners to educate consumers about the Affordable Connectivity Program. Appropriated $14.2 bil, avail until expended

NRCS’ flagship conservation program helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands. For FY23-26, appropriates $0.25 bil, $1.75 bil, $3 bil, $3.45 bil, to be used for normal program operations. Offer no-cost TA; applications for conservation work reimbursement payments (some applicants may quality for advance payments) are accepted on a rolling basis, but must be submitted by state-specific ranking deadlines to be considered for the current funding cycle. Payment rates up to 75% of estimated incurred costs and up to 100% forgone income for certain conservation practices; historically underserved applicants may be eligible for payment rates of up to 90% of estimated incurred costs. Work closely with local NRCS office. Also targeted conservation initiatives (e.g., Organic, Air Quality, On-Farm Energy...) and NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (competitive program to support development of new tools/approaches/practices for conservation on private lands; includes National CIG Classic, state-level CIG Classic hosted by NRCS state offices, and CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials)

Assists landowners, land trusts, and other entities with protecting the agricultural viability of eligible land by limiting non-ag uses through conservation easements and long term contracts. Consists of Agricultural Land Easements (prevent conversion working land to non-ag uses), Wetland Reserve Easements, and Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (restore privately-held farmed or converted wetlands that were previously degraded due to ag uses). For ALE, FA provided (up to 50% for ALE and up to 75% for grasslands with special environmental significance) to eligible partners to purchase ALEs (see Eligible Recipients column). For WRE, NRCS enters into purchase agreements with eligible private landowners or Tribes that include the right for NRCS to develop/implement a Wetland Reserve Plan of Operations. Apply via local NRCS office; applications accepted year round, but state ranking deadlines vary (typically spring, sometimes with a second date. Must apply by state ranking deadline to be considered in current cycle, but if after deadline NRCS will automatically consider apps for future cycles). For FY23-26, appropriates $100 mil, $200 mil, $500 mil, $600 mil

5-year contracts, with producers receiving annual payments to implement practices/activities from their unique NRCS conservation plan. Apply via local NRCS office, by first scheduling a conservation planner to come visit your property. Applications accepted all year, but ranking dates vary by state. For FY23-26, appropriates $0.25 bil, $0.5 bil, $1 bil, $1.5 bil

Subject to the availability of funds, awards made under this NOFO will help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects, as appropriate, to address economic challenges in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act

Water Infrastructure, Emergency, Planning

Community Economic Development

The goal of this funding opportunity is to provide CDCs with financial assistance for administrative capacity building. The awards will be a crucial step in connecting CDCs with CED resources for social and revenue reinvestment in local communities to help spark economic growth. OCS is encouraging applications from CDCs that target urban and rural areas.

Community Economic Development

The Recompete Program will invest in economically distressed communities to create and connect people to good jobs. This program will create renewed economic opportunity in communities that have for too long been forgotten. To do so, the program targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment significantly trails the national average, with the goal to close this gap through large, flexible investments.

Community Revitalization; Transportation

TCP facilitates the planning and development of transportation and community revitalization activities and provides tools to ensure that under-resourced communities can access the historic funding provided in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

Renewable Development & Community Benefits

This funding provides resources for identifying desired community benefits to be negotiated when citing large scale renewable energy projects..

Through R-STEP, DOE anticipates awarding approximately five to seven state-based collaboratives (Collaboratives) between $1-$2 million each to expand state and local capacity on large-scale renewable energy siting and planning. Collaboratives will also benefit from tailored technical assistance and peer-learning opportunities through the program, and R-STEP will serve as a platform for Collaboratives to share learnings and best practices with other stakeholders.

Activities conducted with awarded funds could include but are not limited to:

Engaging with local governments and communities to identify renewable energy siting and planning priorities,
Hiring and subcontracting to expand technical capacity and leverage experts in the region or state,
Developing state-specific resources that could improve siting practices and outcomes for local communities and the renewable energy industry, and
Conducting trainings and workshops with local governments to improve technical understanding of renewable energy siting.

To support projects aimed at the development and sustainability of a national and international integrated ocean observing system designed to collect, monitor and disseminate marine environment data in an interoperable, reliable, timely and user-specified manner by leveraging federal, regional and private-sector partnerships.

Appropriates $2.6 bil in FY22 to provide direct expenditure, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or TA to coastal states, DC, Tribal gov, nonprofits, local gov, and institutions of higher ed to support conservation, climate resilience, and projects that support natural resources that sustain coastal/marine resource dependent communities. $349 mil is earmarked for Climate-Ready Fisheries, with more information to follow [see spending breakdown here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/climate/helping-america-prepare-and-respond-climate-change-under-inflation-reduction-act#:~:text=Climate%2DReady%20Fisheries%20(%24349%20million),-Image&text=Funds%20include%20%24349%20million%20to,tribes%20that%20depend%20on%20it.]

Formula grants for States, Territories, and Tribes; to build capacity for state efforts on broadband adoption. Covered populations incl individuals who primarily reside in a rural area (defined as any area other than city/town with population greater than 50,000 and any urbanized area continguous and adjacent to the aforementioned; in case of grant, a city/town/incorporated area with population greater than 20,000) . Min 5% of funds to Tribal govs, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian orgs. Authorizes and approps $240 mil for FY22, and for each of FY23-26, $300 mil; then such sums as may be necessary for each FY after (auth only). NOFA anticipated "soon"; RFI closed 5/1/23

Delta Regional Authority

Denali Commission

Appropriates $75 mil for the Denali Commission. In Sec. 11507 of IIJA, authorizes $100 mil total, or for each of FY22-26 $20 mil, for the Denali Access System Program, the Commission's transportation program

Section 118 Of Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (i.e., PL 116-260 (FY2021 Consolidated Approps)) authorized USACE to implement pilot programs for flood risk management and hurricane/storm damage risk reduction projects for rural communities and economically disadvantaged communities. Reduction Study Pilot Program: to select 10 feasibility studies for economically disadvantaged communities, with selection criteria to incl percentage of people living in poverty in county/counties vs in the state, percentage of families with income above poverty threshold but below average household income in the county/counties vs in the state, percentage of population that identifies as belonging to a minority or indigenous group vs in the state, and whether project addresses flooding/hurricane/storm effects that have a disproportionate impact on a rural community, a minority community, or a Tribe. 100% federal cost. Recommendations Pilot Program: to recommend up to 10 projects to Congress, without demonstrating that the project is justified solely by national economic development benefits, if a) the project serves an economically disadvantaged or rural community, b) the long-term life safety, economic viability, and environmental stability of the community would be threatened without the project, and c) the project is consistent with 33 USC 701a. No implementation guidance yet on USACE website. IIJA appropriates $30 mil to initiate/complete studies in pilot programs, and states that limitation on number of studies does not apply. IIJA further says that within 60 days of enactment of Act, congressional approps committees must be briefed on detailed spend plan, incl list of project locations and new studies selected

Creates a 21st Century Workforce Advisory Board to develop a departmental strategy that supports development of a skilled energy workforce, includes: meets current/future industry and labor needs, provides opportunities for students, identifies areas where DOE can leverage technical expertise to support other fed agencies' workforce dev, develops plans to support/retrain displaced and unemployed energy sector workers, and prioritizes education/job training for underrepresented groups incl racial and ethnic minorities, Indian Tribes, women, veterans, and socioeconomically disadvantaged indiv. Board to be composed of 10-15 Secretary-apptd ppl, min 1 nominated by a national labor federation, and all must have expertise in workforce dev/economics, traditional or emerging energy, secondary or post-secondary education, state/local energy workforce dev or apprenticeship programs, relevant organized labor orgs, or bringing underrepresented groups into the workforce. Board to deliver a report to the Secretary, whose response + initial report are to be publicly available and provided to Congress. In developing report, special consideration for MSIs, veterans, and displaced/unemployed energy workers. Board terminates FYE 2026, but may be renewed in five-year terms at Secretary's determination. Board establishment announced 4/19/23 in Federal Register

Midscale Instrumentation And Research Equipment Program

(42 USC 18654). Creates a program to develop/acquire cutting edge instruments that cost $1 - $20 mil and would encourage partnerships among national labs, user facilities, and EPSCoRs/HBCUs/MSIs/rural institutions of higher ed. Authorized for $150 mil for each of FY23-27. Did not receive specific approps in IIJA; authorized out of funds appropriated to the Office of Science.

Expands EPSCoR program to improve the research capacity at universities in EPSCoR states, including with scholarships and fellowships, grants for early career faculty, and funding to institutions to support collaboration and expertise-building. Authorizes, for each of FY23-27, $50 mil, $50 mil, $75 mil, $100 mil, $100 mil. Further authorizes, for each of FY23-27, $25 mil for research instrumentation and equipment that cost from $500,000 to $20,000,000. Requires min 10% of university R&D funds awarded by the Office of Science be awarded to institutions in EPSCoR states. Directs the Undersecretary for Science to ensure robust participation of representatives from EPSCoR universities on Office of Science Advisory Committees

Establishes a 2-year pilot program to support highly-qualified early-career scientists to conduct research for up to 2 years; priority for applicants who graduated from or intend to carry out research at a variety of types of institutions of higher ed, incl HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, MSIs, and EPSCoRs. Authorizes $500 mil, for each of FY23-24 $250 mil

Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing Initiative: grants or other financial assistance for research, development, and demonstration (RDD) projects to advance new clean hydrogen production, processing, delivery, storage, and use equipment manufacturing technologies and techniques. Award priority for partnerships with Tribal gov/orgs or are located in economically distressed areas of the major natural gas-producing regions, among others. Clean Hydrogen Technology Recycling RDD Program: grants for RDD projects to create innovative and practical approaches to increase reuse/recycling of clean hydrogen technologies. Authorized and appropriated (combined for both initiatives) total of $500 mil, or for each of FY22-26, $100 mil. DOE website says est NOFA opening Q2 2022; no other info avail.

Formula funding to states, used to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned/occupied by low income persons. States/Tribes then contract with ~700 local orgs, who use in-house staff and private contractors to perform the weatherization services. In total (incls both DOE national Training and TA set-aside and specific allocations at state and local levels for T&TA), max 20% for T&TA

To provide grants and TA to protect/detect/respond/recover from cybersecurity threats on electric utilities, including rural electric cooperatives. Approps a total of $250 mil, for each of FY22-26 $50 mil. RFI due 12/19/22

Establishes the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Office to support access and increase opportunities to DOT-funded projects for rural communities, Tribes, and historically disadvantaged communities in rural areas. Guided by newly-created, cross-departmental ROUTES Council. Receives funding via annual appropriations

(23 USC 133) Creates a new set-aside for projects in rural areas. Grants are flexible funding for local transpo needs, and incl highways, bridges, tunnels, ferry boats/terminals, smart transit systems, truck parking, border infrastructure, and wildlife crossings, among others. Of a state's allocation, 55% to be obligated in proportion to each relative share of the state population: urbanized area with population greater than 200,000; urbanized areas with population of 50,000 to 200,000; urban areas with population of 5,000 to 49,999; other areas with population less than 5,000 [the remaining 45% may be obligated in any area]. Up to 15% of a state's obligations in areas with population less than 50,000 may be obligated on local roads or critical rural freight corridors. Up to 5% funds may be used for rural barge landing, dock, and waterfront infrastructure projects. Authorized (Highway Trust Fund) as part of the Federal Aid Highway Program; agency-calculated contract authority (for entire block grant program) listed as, for each of FY22-26, $13.8 bil, $14 bil, $14.4 bil, $14.7 bil, and $15 bil

Sec 5311 formula grants to states provide capital, planning, and operating assistance to support public transportation in rural areas (population less than 50,000). Federal share is 80% (capital projects), 50% (operating assistance), or 80% (ADA non-fixed route paratransit service). Each state must spend min 15% of annual allotment on intercity bus, unless can certify intercity bus needs are adequately met. Funding is provided to the overall Sec 5311 program, but Sec 5311 formula grants calculated as less several set-asides; Sec 5311 overall is authorized (Mass Transit Account) for a total of $4.581 bil, or for each of FY22-26, $875 mil, $894 mil, $917 mil, $936 mil, $960 mil; DOT reports Sec 5311 formula grants total authorization as $4.087 bil (for each of FY22-26, $781 mil, $797 mil, $818 mil, $835 mil, and $856 mil).

Formula funding to States in the Appalachian region to provide public transit services in rural areas. Funded as a 3% set-aside of Sec 5311 (formula grants for rural areas). Set-aside authorized (Mass Transit Account) for a total of $137 mil, or for each of FY22-26, $26.3 mil, $26.8 mil, $27.5 mil, $28 mil, and $28.8 mil

RTAP consists of state formula funding (85% approps) and nationally competitive projects (max 15% approps). State formula funding is for transportation research, technical assistance, training, and related support services in rural areas. RTAP is funded as not more than 2% of approps for Sec 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas; set-aside authorized (Mass Transit Account) for a max $91.625 mil in total, or for each of FY22-26, $17.5 mil, $17.9 mil, $18.3 mil, $18.7 mil, and $19.2 mil; of which, RTAP formula funding is a minimum of 85% of these authorizations. Award size min for states and Puerto Rico is $65,000

To establish clean energy innovation ecosystems (gov, higher education, workforce dev programs, private sectors...) with a focus on geographic diversity of awardees; special consideration for rural, tribal, and low-income community applications. Award max is $10 mil; if awards disbursed over 3+ years, required 50%+ cost share in years 3, 4, and 5. Possibility for competitive planning grants, $2 mil max. Authorized $50 mil for each of FY23-27. Did not receive approps in either CHIPS or FY23 Consolidated Approps.

Sec 10644. Expands existing Ocean and Coastal Acidification Interagency Working Group, creates an advisory board across sectors/geographic regions, specifies Tribal gov engagement/coordination, authorizes IWG-participating agencies (either individually or collectively) to carry out prize competitions to research/manage/adapt to ocean and coastal acidification with priority on communities and industries in distress due to acidification. Updates reporting requirements to congressional committees through 2031/2032, incl the Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability Assessment, which includes among other things identifying coastal communities -- incl island, fishing, low-population rural, tribal, and subsistence communities -- that may be impacted by ocean acidification. Sec 10646 establishes NOAA as lead agency on ocean acidification issues, incl chairing the IWG-OA. Sec 10647 expands NSF ocean/coastal acidification research to incl adaptation and mitigation strategies to address socioeconomic effects. Sec 10649 authorizes appropriations for ocean acidification activities for NOAA of, for each FY23-27, $20.5 mil, $22 mil, $24 mil, $26 mil, $28 mil; and for NSF of, for each FY23-27, $20 mil. $17M in yearly appropriations for 2023 for the Integrated Ocean Acidification Program - https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47300 (pg. 15)

Sec. 100301-4, authorizes the establishment of minority business development agency (MBDA) rural business centers to provide business TA, where rural defined as areas other than a city/town with population greater than 50,000. Section 100401 provides authority for grants to nonprofits that support minority business enterprises; procedures should ensure that grants are made to a diverse array of entities, including those that principally serve low-income and rural communities. Authorized for a total of $550 mil, or for each of FY21-25 $110 mil; of which a majority is for the business centers and separately $20 mil in each FY is for rural MBDAs (Sec. 100708). Receives funding via annual appropriations. RFI on rural business centers closed 1/2022

(33 USC 1302e) creates a grant program for nonprofits that assist low and moderate income individuals with connecting their household to a publicly owned treatment works [uses same defintion for low/moderate income as program created in IIJA Sec. 50209]. Min 15% funds for connections to publicly owned treatment works that serve fewer than 3,300 people. Authorized for a total of $200 mil, or for each of FY22-26 $40 mil. Did not receive appropriations

Grants for Construction/Refurbishing of Individual Household Decentralized Wastewater Systems for Individuals with Low or Moderate Income

(33 USC 1302d) defines eligible households as those where combined income is equal to or less than 50% of median non-metro household income for state/territory, per most recent decennial census. Grants are provided to nonprofits to assist eligible households with construction/refurbishment of their decentralized wastewater systems. Authorized for a total of $250 mil, or for each of FY22-26, $50 mil. Did not receive appropriations

Rural and Low-Income Water Assistance Pilot Program

Pilot program awards grants to assist qualifying households in maintaining access to drinking water and wastewater treatment. Rural water service provider defined as serving not more than 10,000 people. Maximum of 40 grants, of which max 8 to eligible entities that own/operate/exercise primary enforcement over a rural water service provider and max 8 to eligible entities servicing a disadvantaged community. Additional financial assistance options may incl a lifeline rate, bill discounting, hardship provisions, a percentage-of-income payment plan, or debt relief for eligible entity. No authorized or appropriated funds in IIJA

EPA formula grants capitalize state CWSRF loan programs (at 90% federal share in FY22-23, then 80% after), which provide low-cost financing to communities for water quality infrastructure projects (e.g., waterwater treatment, stormwater). Authorizes a total of $14.7 bil, or for each of FY22-26, $2.4 bil, $2.75 bil, $3 bil, $3.25 bil, and $3.25 bil. Appropriates $11.713 bil in capitalization grants total; for each of FY22-26, $1.902 bil, $2.202 bil, $2.403 bil, $2.603 bil, and $2.603 bil. Optional set-asides: up to 4% for program admin, up to 2% for TA to rural, small, and Tribal treatment works. Required set-asides: 2% (or $30 mil, whichever is greater) Tribal set-aside (CWISA BIL). 49% of state allotment as additional subsidization (i.e., principal forgiveness or grants)

(42 USC 300j-12) EPA formula grants capitalize state DWSRF loan programs (at 90% federal share in FY22-23, then 80% after), which provide low-cost financing to communities for drinking water infrastructure projects. Authorizes a total of $14.7 bil, or for each of FY22-26, $2.4 bil, $2.75 bil, $3 bil, $3.25 bil, and $3.25 bil. Appropriates $11.713 bil in capitalization grants total; for each of FY22-26, $1.902 bil, $2.202 bil, $2.403 bil, $2.603 bil, and $2.603 bil. Optional set-asides: up to 2% of state allotment for TA to small systems (i.e., serving 10,000 or fewer people), up to 4% for program admin, up to 10% for operator certification program, and up to 15% of state allotment for source water protection. Required: min 15% state allotment to water systems serving 10,000 or fewer people. 2% of state allotment (or $20 mil, whichever is greater) for Tribal set-aside (DWIG-TSA BIL). 49% of state allotment as additional subsidization (i.e., principal forgiveness or grants) to disadvantaged communities (as determined by state).

Appropriates a total of $15 bil, or for each of FY22-26, $3 bil. No match required. 2% Tribal set-aside (DWIG-TSA Lead Service Line Replacement). Required 49% state allotment as additional subsidization (i.e., principal forgiveness or grants)

[Amends 42 U.S.C. 300j–19a, i.e., Section 1459A of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Section 50104 amends the overall authorizing language and authorizes a total of $410 mil over FY22-26, but the following summary refers to the Division J text, which includes slightly different specifications for how funding is to be used]. Formula funding to states and Tribes, to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS, in small or disadvantaged communities' drinking or source water (previously, Sec 1459A of SDWA authorized EPA to award grants to states to assist underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities; IIJA removes the underserved criterion). 2% Tribal set-aside (EC-SDC tribal grant program). Small is population less than 10,000; disadvantaged is determined by States. Eligible entities are States and Tribes; eligible end-entities are a public water system or a water system located in an area governed by a Tribe. States wishing to receive grant funding must submit a LOI; funding distributed on a formula that includes factors for population below poverty, small water systems, and occurrence of unregulated emerging contaminants (if any states opt out of funding, their share will be reallocated). Federal cost share is 100%. Appropriates a total of $5 bil, or for each of FY22-26 $1 bil.

Small and Medium Publicly Owned Treatment Works Circuit Rider Program

(33 USC 1302b, or Sec 224 of Federal Water Pollution Control Act) Circuit rider program; grants to nonprofits for providing assistance to small/medium publicly owned treatment works (priority if serving communities with long-run financial distress, unable to access federal TA due to cost-sharing, or stormwater/wastewater overflow issues). Max grant award is $75,000. Authorized for $10 mil over the period of FY22-26. Did not receive appropriations in IIJA or to date.

Small Publicly Owned Treatment Works Efficiency Grant Program

Competitive grants to replace/repair equipment that improves water or energy efficiency of small publicly owned treatment works (defined as serving a population not more than 10,000 people; also eligible if serving a disadvantaged community). Given sufficient applications, min 15% of funds for publicly owned treatment works serving fewer than 3,300 people. No authorization amount and did not receive appropriations

Competitive grants for stormwater control infrastructure projects. Planning and implementation tracks; priority for small, rural, or disadvantaged communities . Fed share max 80%, although administrator may waive for demonstrated financial need. Authorizes a total of $50 mil, or for each of FY22-26 $10 mil [includes report to congress, admin, etc]. No approps in IIJA and has yet to be funded via annual approps.

Capitalization grant to address emerging contaminants. Appropriates a total of $1 bil, or for FY22, $100 mil and for each of FY23-26, $225 mil. No match required. Optional set-asides: up to 4% for program admin, up to 2% for TA to rural, small, and Tribal treatment works. Required: 2% Tribal set-aside (CWISA Emerging Contaminants). All funding must be provided as additional subsidization (i.e., principal forgiveness or grants)

Small and Disadvantaged Community Analysis, CWA and SDWA Programs

Requires EPA to carry out an analysis of Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) programs' historical distributions of funds to small and disadvantaged communities and new ways to improve program funds' distribution to low-income, rural, minority, and Tribal communities (in accordance with E.O. 12898, from 1994)

[creates 42 USC 7435, Section 135 of Clean Air Act] Appropriates for FY22 (avail until FYE 2031) $87 mil total for a program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that result from domestic electricity generation and use. Specifically, $17 mil for education, TA, and partnerships within low-income and disadvantaged communities and $17 mil for outreach/TA to State, Tribal, and local gov. No information on program available; possibly because so many programs had shorter obligation timeframe requirements

To provide funding for grants and other activities to monitor and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at schools in low income and disadvantaged communities. To provide technical assistance to schools in low income and disadvantaged communities to develop school air and environmental quality plans and to identify and mitigate ongoing air pollution hazards. Appropriates for FY22 (avail until FYE 2031) $37.5 mil for monitoring/reducing greenhouse gas emissions and $12.5 mil for TA to address environmental issues. RFI closed 1/18/23

context: EPA regulates injection wells (which are used to dispose of oil/natural gas byproducts, mineral extractions, hazardous/radioactive materials, etc), and especially monitors for underground drinking water contaminaton. Injection wells are overseen by either state/Tribal agencies or an EPA regional office (EPA has primacy responsibility for most Tribes). Authorizes and appropriates a total of $50 mil to support state programs to establish and operate a permitting program for Class VI injection wells for CO2 sequestration. States/Tribes were invited to submit LOIs by 3/20/23; EPA intends to make one-time $50 mil disbursement.

Appropriates $3 mil to EPA to support purchase of air quality sensors for use in low-income and disadvantaged communities, including through grants and regional sensor loan programs. RFI closed 1/18/23

Direct federal spending to protect vulnerable communities from wildfire through hazardous fuels management strategies (e.g., controlled burns, etc). Per spend plan, will use IIJA funds to carry out priority work on Federal and Tribal lands, and for portions of the work employ contracted youth, veterans, and Tribal Nations' members [see Wildfire Management BIL Spend Plan for more details; Interior funding under Sec. 40803 is here broken out by agency spend plan, not the activities as listed in Sec. 40803] BIL Spend Plan - https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/wildland-fire-mgmt-bil-spend-plan-final-508.pdf

Direct federal spending; authorized and appropriated activities include contracting for federal land restoration, Good Neighbor Agreements for states/Tribes to implement restoration projects on federal land, restoration projects for states/Tribes, invasive species eradication, native vegetation restoration on mined land, and a national revegetation effort (includes an emphasis on seeds). Authorized and appropriated $860 mil to the Dept. of Interior under Sec. 40804.

Appropriates $550 mil in FY22 for grants, contracts, or financial assistance agreements for disadvantaged communities (identified at Reclamation's discretion) for up to 100% of the cost of planning, design, or construction of water projects with the primary purpose of providing domestic water supplies to communities or households that do not have reliable access to domestic water supplies. In May 2023, Reclamation announced $5.5 mil will be made avail to territories (American Samoa, Guam, NMI, and USVI). As of June stakeholder update, Reclamation is developing a program for the remaining funds

Direct federal spending to manage early phases of landscape restoration in areas unlikely to recover naturally from wildfire [see Wildfire Management BIL Spend Plan for more details; Interior funding under Sec. 40803 is here broken out by agency spend plan, not the activities as listed in Sec. 40803]

Direct federal spending to help the Federal government prepare for wildland fires. Includes hiring and training firefighters, increases in firefighter pay and other firefighter workforce reforms; purchasing early wildfire detection equipment, real-time monitoring, and radios to support interoperability with interagency partners; financial assistance to local communities to purchase slip on tanks [see Wildfire Management BIL Spend Plan for more details; Interior funding under Sec. 40803 is here broken out by agency spend plan, not the activities as listed in Sec. 40803] BIL Spend Plan - https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/wildland-fire-mgmt-bil-spend-plan-final-508.pdf

Housed within the Wildfire Preparedness program, this pilot program is to provide financial assistance to local govs and Tribal nations to acquire slip-on tanker units to establish fleets of vehicles that can be quickly converted to respond to wildland fires [a slip-on unit consists of tank, pump, and hose and can fit in the bed of a standard pickup truck or similar vehicle]. Authorized $50 mil. Appropriations of $1.055 bil for the entire Sec 40803 (out of a total $3.369 bil authorized), of which $327 mil for FY22 and $182 mil for each of FY23-26. No info on program development to date.

Interior/USDA

Direct federal spending, to maintain recreation sites on federal land (incl Indian forest land or rangeland). Authorizes and appropriates $100 mil, of which $45 mil for Interior, $35 mil for USDA to use at recreation sites that experience visitation beyond current capacity, and $20 mil for maintenace of public use cabins on Ntl Forest System land ($5 mil of which can be used for s&e).

To spur investment in disadvantaged communities. Production Tax Credit, Investment Tax Credit, and Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit all offer a 10 percentage point tax credit increase for facilities located in an energy community. ITCs offer another 10 percentage point bonus amount for qualified solar and wind facilities located in low-income community (same definition as New Markets Tax Credit), and 20 percentage point bonus amount for projects that are part of "qualified low-income residential building project" or "qualified low-income economic benefit project". Projects/facilities eligible to use direct pay for the PTC or ITC and that qualify for these bonus amounts can receive both through direct pay.

Creates 26 USC 6417, which allows certain applicable entities (incl Tribal govs, ANCs, local gov, nonprofits, rural electric coops) to benefit from income tax credits even though they may not owe federal income taxes (i.e., they receive an elective/direct payment after completing the qualifying activity, rather than an offsetting tax credit). Potentially qualifying tax credits incl Production Tax Credit for Electricity from Renewables, Investment Tax Credit for Energy Property, Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit, Clean Electricity Production Tax Credit, Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit, Zero-Emission Nuclear Power Production Credit, Clean Hydrogen Production Credit, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, Clean Fuel Production Credit, Clean Commercial Vehicles Credit, Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit, Advanced Energy Project Credit

Northern Border Regional Commission

Sec. 10512 NSF Rural STEM Activities ( a) competitive awards to institutions of higher ed or nonprofits for R&D to support STEM teaching in rural preK-12 schools + establishes a pilot program of regional cohorts in rural areas for preK-12 STEM educators, and b) competitive awards to institutions of higher ed or nonprofits for R&D to identify barriers rural students face in accessing STEM education/solutions. Authorizes for each of FY23-27, $8 mil for a) and $12 mil for b)). Sec. 10513 Online Education (competitive awards for research on online STEM education courses for rural communities. Sec. 10514 National Academies Evaluation (to engage the National Academies to evaluate a number of specified issues on rural access to STEM education. Authorizes $1 mil for FY23). Sec. 10515 GAO Review (within 3 years of CHIPS enactment, GAO to study rural access to federal STEM education programs). Sec. 10516 NIST Engagement with Rural Communities (creates prize competition for R&D to deploy broadband in rural communities, including unserved rural communities. Authorizes program max of $5 mil). Did not receive appropriations in CHIPS.

Creates a Chief Diversity Officer at the NSF, whose duties incl ensuring geographic diversity of NSF programs and diversity of institutions of higher ed (HBCUs, Tribal colleges, MSIs, and EPSCoRs).

Competitive grants for clean energy incubators, with a priority (among others) for projects that expand clean energy tech to rural, Tribal, and low income communities. Did not receive approps in either CHIPS or FY23 Consolidated Approps.

Formula grants for states; passed on to municipalities for projects to control/treat/reuse combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, or stormwater. Min 25% of state allocation for projects in rural (population of 10,000 or less) and/or financially distressed (as determined by states) communities, of which min 60% for projects in rural communities. In general, 20% cost share requirement but IIJA directs Administrator to work with states to prevent cost-share requirement from being passed on to rural or financially distressed communities. Authorized for a total of $1.4 bil, or $350 mil minimum set-aside for rural and/or financially distressed communities (the total authorization to be split equally between FY22-26). No approps in IIJA, but received $43 mil and $50 mil in FY22-23 annual approps

Dr. David Satcher Cybersecurity Education Grant Program

Authorizes competitive grants to support cybersecurity programs at institutions of higher ed that have a high enrollment of needy students or are HBCUs, Tribal colleges, or MSIs. 50% funds to HBCUs, Tribal colleges, and MSIs. No appropriations or funding in CHIPS

Southeast Crescent Regional Commission

Southwest Border Regional Commission

Appropriates $1.25 mil for the SBRC (this is the first appropriations for the commission; per CRS report, expected to begin operations in FY23)

(16 USC 7102(11), 16 USC 7111). Program created to support rural counties whose tax base was limited by growing amount of federal land; a portion of Forest Service funds (generated through, e.g., grazing, timber production, etc) and federal appropriations are distributed to eligible counties via formula payments to help maintain local roads and schools. Mandatory spending, currently authorized through FYE 2023. Per CRS report, IIJA re-authorized for FY21-23, and established a set annual payment amount (removing annual decline)

To provide relief for distressed borrowers of certain FSA direct or guaranteed loans, and to expedite assistance for those whose operations face financial risk. USDA allocated up to $1.3 bil for initial steps to distressed borrowers, including both automatic and case-by-case assistance. Automatic Payments: Oct 2022: nearly $600 mil to 11,000 borrowers who were 60+ days delinquent on their FSA direct/guaranteed loan as of 9/30/22 (for direct, payments made loan current + covered next annual installment; for guaranteed, payments equal to delinquent amount as reported by lender), over $200 mil in payments to 2,100 borrowers who had their loan collateral liquidated but had remaining debt. Apr 2023: $130 mil for qualifying direct loan borrowers (see link for criteria). Case-by-Case Payments: $330 mil to 1,600 borrowers to cure delinquencies and estimated $175 mil to estimated 14,000 borrowers in financial distress. Extraordinary Measures Assistance: May 2023: FSA direct loan borrowers can request assistance if they took extraordinary measures (e.g., taking on more debt, selling property, or cashing out retirement accounts) to avoid delinquency between 2/28/20 and 10/18/22; all requests for assistance must be received by 12/31/23 and is subject to funding availability

Direct federal spending; authorized and appropriated activities include timber thinning, prescribed fires, creating fuel breaks, contracting out to remove flammable vegetation, and post-fire restoration. Includes additional approps received for hazardous fuels management and burned area recovery, of which for each of FY22-26 $2 mil is set-aside for implementation of the Tribal Forestry Protection Act (i.e., special consideration to Tribally-proposed Stewardship Contracting or other projects on Forest Service or BLM land bordering/adjacent to Indian trust land, to protect Indian trust resources from fire, disease, or other threats coming off of Forest Service or BLM land) (IIJA Pg. 980). Authorization numbers are a sum of 40803(c)(11, 13, 14, 15, 16). Appropriations are sum of authorizations ($1.1B) + add'l appropriations made under Title VI, US. Dept. of Agr., Nat'l Forest System (2 & 3) for hazardous fuels management and burned area recovery ($0.739B) (IIJA Pg. 980).

Hazardous Fuels Reduction Projects in Wildland Urban Interface

Direct federal spending for hazardous fuels reduction projects on National Forest System land within the Wildland Urban Interface. National Forests and Grasslands are primary recipients of funding, but Tribes eligible via Tribal Forest Protection Act and other co-stewardship authorities. Appropriates, for FY22 (avail until FYE 2031) $1.8 bil

Direct federal spending; authorized and appropriated activities include contracting for federal land restoration, Good Neighbor Agreements for states/Tribes to implement restoration projects on federal land, funding for facilities that purchase restoration byproducts, for states/Tribes to establish rental programs for portable skidder bridges (used during restoration work), invasive species eradication, native vegetation restoration on mined land, national revegetation effort (includes an emphasis on seeds), and landscape-scale restoration for fish passage or water quality. Authorized and appropriated $1.17B

USDA Assistance and Support for Underserved Farmers, Ranchers, Foresters: Technical and Other Assistance

[amends ARPA Sec. 1006] To provide funding for outreach, mediation, financial training, capacity building training, cooperative development and agricultural credit training and support, and other technical assistance on issues concerning food, agriculture, agricultural credit, agricultural extension, rural development, or nutrition to underserved farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners, including veterans, limited resource producers, beginning farmers and ranchers, and farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners living in high poverty areas. Appropriates, for FY22 (avail until FYE 2031) $125 mil. farmers.gov only mentions the $2.2 bil in payouts; unclear how/where this money will be used [farmvetco.org/2023/06/15: thru supplemental funds, USDA is supporting existing 1006 Technical Assistance Cooperators that have an active cooperative agreement with NIFA]

Direct federal spending, to increase staffing/pay for firefighters

Direct federal spending on national forests, grasslands, or watersheds (with cooperative agreement). Protect sensitive ecosystems by restoring fish passages, decommissioning unauthorized/closed/temp roads and trails, relocating/repairing roads/trails to increase natural disaster resilience, and converting roads to trails. n.b., the program itself is new but not necessarily the work. Per FS website (linked), some projects are accomplished via employees but many more are possible with partners or contracts. Authorized and appropriated a total of $250 mil, or for each of FY22-26, $50 mil

Direct federal spending to enhance ecological restoration, as prescribed in a Water Source Protection Plan or Watershed Restoration Action Plan. National Forests and Grasslands are primary recipients of funding, but Tribes eligible via Tribal Forest Protection Act and other co-stewardship authorities. Appropriates, for FY22 (avail until FYE 2031) $200 mil

Direct federal spending; authorized and appropriated activities include a NOAA program to use satellite monitoring, reverse 911 programs, mapping at-risk communities, pre-planning workshops. Authorization and appropriation numbers are a sum of 40803(c)(1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19). Half of 40803(c)(19)'s $10M in appropriations were added because funding goes jointly to USDA & Interior.

Capital Improvement and Maintenance - Temporary Roads

Direct federal spending for construction of temporary roads or reconstruction/maintenance of roads to facilitate forest restoration and wildfire risk management

(16 USC 7303) Direct federal spending. Uses collaborative, science based approaches to enhance forest and watershed health, reduce risk from uncharacteristic wildfire, and provide benefits to rural economies. Projects are submitted by, comprised primarily of, and cover costs only for National Forest System lands. Authorized and appropriated $100 mil

Formula grants to state energy offices and Tribal entities to develop and implement a high efficiency electric home rebate program. $225 mil Tribal allocation. Eligible recipients must have household income < 150% AMI. Max rebate $14,000. States/Tribes may use max 20% grant for planning, admin, or TA; can apply for early release of admin funds to assist with prep for program, which is taken out of their eventual allocation. Appropriation is for FY22, avail until FYE 2031

Formula grants to state energy offices to develop and implement a home energy efficiency retrofit rebate program. Max rebate $4,000, or $8,000 if low/moderate income household [with Secretary's approval, states may increase rebate amount for low/moderate income households, defined as < 80% AMI]. Implementation guidance calls for min set-aside for low-income households, based on state's percentage of such households. States may use max 20% grant for planning, admin, or TA. Appropriation is for FY22, avail until FYE 2031

IRA provides four separate funding streams for competitive grants to support 1) underserved forest landowners in carrying out climate mitigation or forest resilience practices (appropriates $150 mil), 2) underserved forest landowners' participation in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience (appropriates $150 mil), 3) participation of forest landowners owning less than 2500 acres of forestland in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience (appropriates $100 mil), and 4) states and other eligible entities in providing payments to private forest landowners for implementation of forestry practices that provide measurable increases in carbon sequestration (appropriates $50 mil). Each appropriation was made for FY22 and is avail until FYE 2031. WH recently announced the first in a series of funding opportunities (USDA anticipates future opportunities, incl one specifically set-aside for Tribal nations); this first opportunity focuses on participation of underserved forest landowners and forest landowners who own less than 2500 acres of forest land in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience. There are three tracks: A is for proposals between $2-$25 mil (deadline 60 days after NOFA published), B is for proposals < $2 mil (deadline 60 days after NOFA published, then quarterly), and C is for pass-through entities with budgets $5-$50 mil (rolling deadline, considered at least quarterly). Up to $150 mil to be awarded under tracks A and B for this opportunity, with max award request of $25 mil. Individuals are not eligible; Tracks A/B eligible applicants are states/local/Tribal gov, ANCs, educational institutions, nonprofits, and private sector. Track C eligible for nonprofits focused on sustainable forestry/forest conservation and proven success in managing competitive subgrant programs. Underserved defined as farmers/ranchers/forest landowners in high poverty areas (20%+ poverty rate), Tribes, limited resource producers, veterans, and beginning farmers/ranchers/forest landowners (more detailed definitions in NOFA). Eligible land is nonindustrial private forest land, which must meet all of the following: rural (defined as outside census areas with 50,000+ people), existing tree cover or is suitable for growing trees, and is owned by any private individual/group/association/corporation/Tribe/or is Tribal land held in trust

Business & Economic Development

The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and
community projects that serve rural areas.

The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program will provide grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Planning funds can be used to update existing climate, energy, or sustainability plans, or to develop new plans.

Env. Public Health, Community Engagement

This Competition seeks to identify innovative and inclusive approaches local governments have developed for working with citizens, community groups, and other interested parties in rural communities to identify and address environmental public health concerns facing their people. This Competition also seeks to better understand what barriers these communities have associated with these public health concerns.

(Amends Sec 1006 of ARPA) To provide financial assistance to producers that have experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs prior to January 1, 2021. By statute, assistance must be delivered by non-gov entities; USDA is finalizing plans with a national administrator (Midtown Group) and four regional hub operators (Windsor Group in east and Analytic Acquisitions in west) that will conduct outreach and process applications. USDA aims to distribute payments to impacted producers by the end of 2023. Appropriates, for FY22 (avail until FYE 2031) $2.2 bil. Max assistance per recipient is $500,000.

Appropriates $2.6 bil in FY22 to provide direct expenditure, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or TA to coastal states, DC, Tribal gov, nonprofits, local gov, and institutions of higher ed to support conservation, climate resilience, and projects that support natural resources that sustain coastal/marine resource dependent communities. Climate-Ready Workforce will invest ~$60 mil in programs to place people into good jobs that advance climate resilience. Funding for both program design and implementation. Anticipate 10-20 awards of $500,000 to $10 mil each. Pre-application TA avail. LOI due 11/30/23

Appropriates $491 mil total (for each of FY22-26, $98.2 mil) for restoring marine, estuarine, coastal, or Great Lakes ecosystem habitat. In FY22-23 there were two NOFAs: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants (which combines both IIJA and IRA funding. States a focus on promoting climate-resilient ecosystems, especially in Tribal, indigenous, and/or underserved communities. Further, NOFA states a priority for high-value, transformative projects that advance resilience and support habitat restoration. Anticipated awards from $3-6 mil) and Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities, with a focus on capacity building as well as restoration (awards $75k to $1 mil). The Grant for Underserved Communities with a $20 mil set-aside for Tribes

A brownfield is a property where expansion/redevelopment/reuse is complicated by the presence of potential hazardous substances. Appropriates $1.5 bil for various brownfield activities, including site assessment, site cleanup, revolving loan fund capitalization, job training, and TA ($1.2 for project grants and $300 mil for state/Tribal response programs); for each of FY22-26 $300 mil

Grants for at-risk communities plan for/reduce risk of wildfire. Authorized $500 mil, appropriated $1 bil. Scoring priority for high or very high wildfire hazard potential, low-income community, or community impacted by a severe disaster. Grant max is $250,000 for planning and $10 mil for implementation. Separate NOFAs based on region and for Tribes

Authorized and appropriated $1 bil to mitigate cybersecurity risks/threats to governmental information security systems, or for each of FY22-25, $200 mil, $400 mil, $300 mil, $100 mil. 3% set-aside for Tribal govs. Recipients (states) must pass through at least 80% of funds to local gov, including min 25% of awarded funds to rural areas of the state/territory. There are two NOFOs: one general and one for tribes.

Competitive funding for rural local gov and Tribes (outside of an urbanized area with a population of more than 150,000) to hire staff or firms to provide financial, technical, and legal assistance to evaluate potential DOT infrastructure projects reasonably expected to be eligible to receive funding for; and to assist with development-phase activities. Secretary may use any amount made available to provide credit assistance under an eligible program [49 USC 116(d)(1) subparagraph A or B, 49 USC 118(d)(3)(A), or 49 USC CHAPTER 67] that is not otherwise obligated, but the pilot program is authorized, in each of FY22-26, for not more than $1.6 mil, $1.8 mil, $2 mil, $2.2 mil, and $2.4 mil. Not more than 20% of funds to be used for projects in a single state during that FY, and program sunsets 5 years from date of bill enactment. FY23 NOFA makes $3.4 mil avail (two years of funding), inclusive of $1.6 mil set-aside for Tribal entities ($800,000 for each FY), with application reviews/awards occurring on first-come, first-served basis; application intake opens 8/14/23

Appropriates $2.6 bil to provide direct expenditure, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or TA to coastal states, DC, Tribal gov, nonprofits, local gov, and institutions of higher ed to support conservation, climate resilience, and projects that support natural resources that sustain coastal/marine resource dependent communities. The Climate Resilience Accelerators is a $100 mil investment in new and existing competitions; the current opportunity is to fund accelerator entities that support businesses navigating commercialization pathways for coastal and ocean-based resilience products and services. For this NOFA, Phase 1 ($5 mil avail) awards for scoping and design, $250,000 per award; winners will be invited to apply for Phase 2 implementation (~$55 mil avail, awards ~$10 mil)

Formula grants to states/Tribes, with subawards to eligible entities to reduce likelihood/consequences of disruptive events, incl weatherization, fire-resistant tech/fire prevention systems, monitoring/control tech, undergrounding, utility pole management, hardening of power lines and other systems, etc). Formula based on population, land area (or land area with low ratio of electricity customers per mileage of power lines), probability of disruptive events during previous 10 years (e.g., fire, major disasters/emergencies), number/severity of disruptive events experience since Jan 1, 2011, and total per capita amount of public/private spending during previous 10 years on disruptive event mitigation (priority for those with higher per capita spending). States/Tribes to ensure that subawards to small entities (selling max 4 mil megawatt hrs electricity/year) is not less than percentage of all customers in State/Tribe served by those entities. Fed share 85%. Authorized and appropriated $5 bil, for each of FY22-26 $1 bil, split equally between this program and the private sector version (i.e., $2.5 bil total, $0.5 bil per year avail). Applications for first two years (non-competitive) funding for states due 5/31/23, for Tribes 8/31/23

Appropriates $2.6 bil in FY22 to provide direct expenditure, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or TA to coastal states, DC, Tribal gov, nonprofits, local gov, and institutions of higher ed to support conservation, climate resilience, and projects that support natural resources that sustain coastal/marine resource dependent communities. The Climate Resilience Regional Challenge is a $575 mil competitive grant program that supports collaborative approaches to coastal resilience at regional scales. Track One is Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development (up to $25 mil; anticipate 20-25 awards, between $500,000 and $2 mil each) and Track Two is Implementation of Resilience and Adaptation Actions (up to $550 mil; anticipate 15 awards, between $15-$75 mil each). Application TA avail. LOI due 8/21/23

Section 165 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (i.e., PL 116-260 (FY2021 Consolidated Approps)) authorized USACE to implement a pilot program for carrying out continuing authority projects (CAP) in small or disadvantaged communities at 100% federal cost. CAP is a group of nine legislative authorities under which USACE can plan, design, and implement certain types of water resources projects without additional project-specific congressional authorization; project purposes incl streambank and shoreline erosion protection, hurricane damage reduction, flood control... IIJA appropriated $465 mil to USACE for a variety of construction tasks, one of which was the Pilot Program (of the $465 mil, $115 mil is earmarked for a distinct aquatic ecosystem restoration program). Public comment on an environmental assessment of implementation closed on 4/19/23. Proposals accepted from 6/21/23 to 8/21/23

(subsection (d) of 23 USC 176) Competitive grants to make surface transportation more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, and other extreme weather events. Consists of planning and improvement (specifically, to include resilience improvement grants, community resilience and evacuation route grants, and at-risk coastal infrastructure grants) grants. Federal cost share is 100% for planning grants and 80% for improvement grants; if project is by Tribe, federal cost share may be up to 100%; if project is prioritized on state's resilience improvement plan, matching share requirement reduced by 7 percentage points; if state incorporated a resilience improvement plan into the metropolitan transportation plan or long-range statewide transportation plan, matching share requirement reduced by 3 percentage points. In each FY, min 25% for projects in rural areas (outside an urbanized area with a population of over 200,000) and min 2% for grants to Tribes. Authorized (Highway Trust Fund) for a total of $1.4 bil, or for each of FY22-26, $250 mil, $250 mil, $300 mil, $300 mil, $300 mil (with further breakouts for planning and each of the three types of improvement grants). For FY22-23, HTF obligation limitation yielded a total of $447.75 mil

Phase 1 (due 8/15/23): designate at least 20 Tech Hubs, and separately award ~$15 mil in Strategy Dev grants for future Tech Hubs (antic. awards ~$400k - $500k, with min 20% match required; min 10% match if small/rural/otherwise underserved community; min 0% match if Tribal). Phase 2 (NOFO antic. Fall 2023): at least 5 implementation awards to designated EDA Tech Hubs (anticipates awards ~$50 - 75 mil). Min 1/3 Strategy Dev grants must go to consortia that significantly benefit a small and rural community (defined as noncore area, micropolitan area, or small MSA with population not more than 250,000) and min 1/3 grants must go to consortia with at least one member that is an EPSCoR state/territory (two categories may overlap). By statute, at least 3 Tech Hubs to be designated in each EDA Regional Office area, and at least one designated Tech Hub headquartered in a low-population EPSCoR state (i.e., AK, ME, MT, NH, ND, SD, VT, WV, or WY). Min 2 designated Tech Hubs to benefit underserved communities. EDA encourages designation proposals from consortia that would significantly benefit former coal/oil/natural gas regions. Unlike NSF funding for basic research, Tech Hubs intended to commercialize/deploy technologies within a decade; they provide a list of 10 tech focus areas. Will not fund regions that, absent EDA funding, are on clear path to global competitiveness. Applicants to ensure economic benefits will be shared by all communities in the project area, incl any underserved communities (rural specifically incl in Req #4 Equity & Diversity). EDA defines a Tech Hub's geography as a MSA, but consortia may include assets/members outside their chosen geography. Application should incl resume of Regional Innovation Officer. NOFO language implies that EDA would have potential future rounds of designation, if additional approps received. $10 bil authorized over five years in CHIPS, FY2023 approps incl $500 mil to launch program

Appropriates $207 mil total (for each of FY22-26, $41.4 mil) for Coastal Zone Management Act habitat restoration projects. All proposed projects must be located within a state's Coastal Zone Management Program Boundary. In the FY23 NOFA, habitat restoration engineering/design/planning awards range from $200k-$500k, habitat restoration from $2-6 mil, and land conservation from $1-4 mil. Further, NOAA intends to allocate min 10% funding towards projects that target engagement/partnership with underserved communities, given sufficient demand.

Competitive grants to reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle collsions and improve habitat connectivity. When making awards, a secondary consideration is the extent to which a project will support local economic development and improvement of visitation opportunities. Min 60% funding each year is for projects located in rural areas (i.e., not an urban area, which is an urbanized area, with additional notes if crosses state boundaries, see 23 USC 101(a)(25)). Authorized (Highway Trust Fund) for a total of $350 mil, or for each of FY22-26, $60 mil, $65 mil, $70 mil, $75 mil, $80 mil.

Competitive funding to States to cover capital, operating, and planning expenses for ferry service in rural areas. Limited to ferries that operated a regular service at any time during the five year period ending March 1, 2020 and that served no less than two rural areas located more than 50 nautical miles apart. Rural area is population less than 50,000 not designated as "urbanized area" by Commerce (49 USC 5302). Maximum federal share for Planning is 80%, Capital is 80%, and Operating is 100% but State/locality must provide a minimum of 75% of 3-yr average prior to the pandemic (i.e., 2017, 2018, 2019) on an annual basis to support ferry service for the grant's Period of Performance (e.g., if State/local normally provided $1 mil in operating assistance annually, applicant should incl min $750,000 in State/local operating assistance). Max federal share is 85% for acquiring vehicles for complying with Clean Air Act or Americans with Disability Act. Max federal share is 90% for acquiring/installing/constructing vehicle-related equipment or facilities for purposes of complying with Clean Air Act or ADA. IIJA authorized + appropriated (General Fund) a total of $1 bil, or for each of FY22-26, $200 mil

Grant funding for Planning or Implementation to prevent roadway deaths/serious injuries, with statutory mandate to consider awards that will "ensure equitable investment in the safety needs of underserved communities". Define "underserved community" as DOT disadvantaged community (i.e., any Tribal land, any territory, or census tracts identified in either USDOT Equitable Transportation Community Explorer or Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool). In FY23, Implementation awards make "addtl award consideration for ... applicants that have a high percentage of funds that benefit underserved communities, are in rural areas, request less than $10 mil in Fed funds, and/or support geographic diversity"; Rural is outside an Urban Area or within Urban Areas with population less than 200,000. Authorized for a total of $1 bil, for each of FY22-26 $200 mil; appropriates from the General Fund $5 bil total, for each of FY22-26 $1 bil

Originally created (authorized 2008-12) to reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce total energy use, and improve energy efficiency in transportation, building, and other appropriate sectors. IIJA adds addtl authority for award recipients to finance energy efficiency,renewable energy, and zero-emission transportation. Existing 2% Tribal set-aside; 34% to local gov by population, 34% to local gov by daytime population (e.g., sq ft of commercial/office/industrial space), 28% to states, and 2% competitive. Local gov eligibility is restricted to most populous; competitive grants open only to entities not otherwise eligible, and states required to pass min 60% allocation to cities/counties ineligible for direct formula grants. By statute, competitive priority to communities in states/territories with populations < 2 mil. IIJA authorizes and approps $550 mil (for FY22, avail until expended). DOE intends to distribute $440 mil in current round. Required Pre-Application for formula grants due 7/31/23. Required concept papers for competitive program due 6/5/23

ERA created to improve energy resilience/availability and environmental protection from adverse impacts of energy generation, in communities of 10,000 or less. IIJA authorizes and appropriates $1 bil total, for each of FY22-26 $200 mil, to ERA. DOE has chosen to create three ERA programs; in FY23, the Energizing Rural Communities Prize is $15 mil, with two distinct phases. Phase 1 (Partner Track) has a $10 mil cash prize pool with awards up to $100,000 to support plans to connect rural communities to gov funding, TA, or partners that can help implement clean energy demo projects. Phase 1 applications closed on 5/24/23. Phase 2 (Finance Track) has a $5 mil prize pool with awards up to $200,000, and is only open to Phase 1 winners; to finance clean energy demo projects. Phase 2 closes July 2024

To provide conservation technical assistance, which offers our nation’s farmers, ranchers, forestland owners, and Tribes the knowledge and tools they need to conserve, maintain, and restore the natural resources on their lands and improve the health of their operations for the future. Offered at no cost; most TA leads to development of a conservation plan. Appropriates, for FY22 (avail until FYE 2031) $1 bil

Appropriates $492 mil total (for each of FY22-26, $98.4 mil) for the National Oceans and Coastal Security [Resilience] Fund, which restores natural infrastructure to protect communities and wildlife habitat. Program is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in coordination with NOAA; NFWF was created by Congress as a private conservation grant-maker (they are a 501c3 with a 30-member Board of Directors approved by the Secretary of the Interior). Capacity Building and Planning awards to be ~$100k to $1 mil, while Implementation awards to be $1-10 mil.

Supports development of at least four regional clean hydrogen hubs, of which at least two to be located in regions with the greatest natural gas resources (per legislation; website interpets program reqs slightly differently...). Authorizes and appropriates a total of $8 bil, for each of FY22-26 $1.6 bil. Funding application is closed, with concept papers due 11/7/2022. Anticipate total funding under FY23 NOFA $6-7 bil. DOE may issue a second launch of this FOA to solicit additional H2Hubs...

Creates a program to establish four regional direct air capture hubs (to capture/sequester/utilize carbon dioxide). Hubs to be located in regions with existing carbon-intensive fuel production or industrial capacity, and (to the max extent possible) two to be located in economically distressed communities in regions with high levels of coal, oil, or natural gas resources. Appropriates a total of $3.5 bil; for each of FY22-26 $700 mil. Mandatory LOIs due 2/17/23. FY23 round of funding makes up to $1.236 bil avail; there are three Topic Areas (TA), TA-1 is feasibility, TA-2 is front-end engineering design study, and TA-3 is project development. A second NOFA is expected in 2024 or later, and will not limit eligibility to awardees under this NOFA

(49 USC 6702, i.e., Local and Regional Project Assistance Program, which agency calls RAISE (previously BUILD/TIGER)). Grants for investments in surface transportation that have a significant local/regional impact. Requires 50/50 split between rural and urbanized areas; min 1% for projects in historically disadvantaged or persistent poverty areas. Min 5% total funding for project planning. Define rural as outside an urbanized area with population greater than 200,000. Define historically disadvantaged as certain qualifying census tracts (provided), any Tribal land, or any territory. Define persistent poverty as classic definition, any census tract with poverty rate 20%+ in 2014-2018 ACS, or any territory. Authorized and appropriates from the General Fund a total of $7.5 bil, for each of FY22-26 $1.5 bil.

Grants for community hazard mitigation projects to reduce risk from disasters and other natural hazards. BRIC is authorized in Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (which is how it's referenced in IIJA). Program is normally funded via 6% set-aside of estimated disaster expenses from each major disaster; IIJA provided supplemental approps of $1 bil total, or for each of FY22-26, $200 mil. Per FY22 NOFA, prioritizing assistance that benefits disadvantaged communities, defined as Economically Disadvantaged Rural Communities (EDRC, def as "small impoverished communities" in 42 USC 5133a; 3000 ppl or less with eco test), geographic areas within Tribal jurisdictions, and areas with CDC SVI >= 0.6. Reduces matching requirement for EDRC from 25% to 10%. FY22 funded Capability and Capacity Building (C&CB) activities or Hazard Mitigation Projects. There are 3 pools: states/territories (5% avail funds), Tribes (2% avail funds), and national (applicants may submit an unlimited number of hazard mitigation project subapplications, each valued up to $50 mil fed share). Eligible applicants are states/territories/Tribes with major disaster declaration in 7 years prior to application period start date (for Tribes, either their own major disaster declaration or are located in a state with such declaration) [all states/territories/Tribes are eligible in FY22]; communities are sub-applicants and must submit sub-application to their state/territory/Tribal applicant agency

Competitve grants to eliminate railroad crossings that are frequently blocked by trains. Min 20% funds reserved for projects in rural areas [any area not in an urbanized area] or on Tribal lands, and of this set-aside a min 5% funds reserved for projects in counties with 20 or fewer residents per sq mile [provided sufficient eligible applications]. Min 25% funds for planning projects in any FY to be awarded to projects located in rural areas or on Tribal lands. Except for planning grants, min award of $1 mil. Authorized for a total of $2.5 bil, or for each of FY22-26 $500 mil; min 3% each FY approps to be used for planning projects. IIJA appropriates (General Fund) a total $3 bil, for each of FY22-26, $600 mil.

To spur economic growth in regions that have not fully participated in technology boom by advancing critical technologies like semiconductors, AI, and biotech; spurring regional innovation and talent; promoting and stimulating economic growth and job creation. CHIPS authorizes NSF Engines + Translation Accelerator [Sec. 10389] at a combined $6.5 bil, not split out. FY23 Consolidated Approps specifies support for the new TIP directorate and the NSF Engines program, but does not specify a funding level. FY22 NOFA to fund up to 50 Type-1 Awards, max $1 mil for a two year planning phase. Anticipated 5 Type-2 Awards, max $160 mil total, over 10 years. Applicants must include 1 or more institution of higher education that is an HBCU, Tribal college, MSI, EPSCoR, emerging research institution, or community college. Award process to consider geographic distribution, with special consideration for rural-serving institutions of higher ed. NSF Engines funding opportunity is currently closed/evaluating applications, "anticipates future calls for proposals, pending availability of funds". n.b., the EPIIC program (Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity), to help MSIs, Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions, and two-year institutions with limited or no research capacity become equitable partners in teams competing for NSF Engines funding ($20 mil, awards up to $400,000 in FY23)

(23 USC 124) Competitive grants to improve bridges, for large projects (total eligible project costs > $100 mil), other than large projects (total eligible project costs <= $100 mil), and planning [also includes set-aside for Tribal bridges, listed separately in this spreadsheet]. Federal cost share is max 50% for large projects, 80% for other projects, and up to 90% for off-(highway) system bridges. When making awards, DOT must consider geographic diversity and balance between needs of urban and rural communities. Authorized (Highway Trust Fund) for a total $3.265 bil, or for each of FY22-26, $600 mil, $640 mil, $650 mil, $675 mil, $700 mil. Additional appropriations (General Fund) of a total of $9.235 bil, or for each of FY22-26 $1.847 bil; of which for each FY $20 mil for Tribal Transportation Facility Bridge (23 USC 202(d)) and $20 mil for planning grants

(23 USC 204) funding for transportation facilities owned by State, county, local, and Tribal governments, which provide access to federal lands; emphasis on high-use recreation sites and economic generators. Formula funding to states, with projects selected via committees established in each state; Call for Projects was for FY23-26. Authorized (Highway Trust Fund) for a total of $1.488 bil, for each of FY22-26, $286 mil, $292 mil, $297 mil, $304 mil, $309 mil.

Broadband planning, deployment, and adoption projects. Each State, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will receive an allocation of at least $100 million and the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will each receive $25 million. Each State will receive initial funding of $5 million and each territory will receive initial funding of $1.25 million to support broadband planning efforts including building capacity in State broadband offices and outreach and coordination with local communities. Leveraging those initial planning funds each State and territory will submit a 5 year action plan, which shall be informed by collaboration with local and regional entities. The remaining funding will be distributed based on a formula that considers the number of unserved and high cost locations in the State, based on the maps to be published by the Federal Communications Commission. The first priority for the deployment of a broadband network is providing funding to projects that primarily reach unserved locations (those below 25/3 Mbps), followed by those that primarily reach underserved locations (those below 100/20 Mbps), and then serving community anchor institutions (1/1 Gbps). Authorizes and appropriates $42.5 bil, to be obligated expediently

Formula grants for States etc to develop digital equity plans. Min 5% of funds to Tribal govs, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian orgs. Required if state wants to make pass-through grants, and to incl identification of barriers to digital equity faced by covered populations. Authorizes and approps $60 mil for FY22. NOFA closed July 2022

RTAP consists of state formula funding (85% approps) and nationally competitive projects (max 15% approps). The National Rural Transit Assistance Program is essentially a website that supports State Rural Transportation Assistance Program; develops information resources, technical assistance, and training about rural public transportation. RTAP is funded as not more than 2% of approps for Sec 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas; set-aside authorized (Mass Transit Account) for a max $91.625 mil in total, or for each of FY22-26, $17.5 mil, $17.9 mil, $18.3 mil, $18.7 mil, and $19.2 mil; of which, RTAP nationally competitive funding is a max of 15% of these authorizations. Last NOFA listed on grants.gov is from 2019; FTA recompetes administration of national RTAP every 5 years.

RCB program funds are limited to activities that strengthen the organizational infrastructure, management, and governance capabilities of eligible beneficiaries serving rural areas to effectively increase the capacity of the eligible beneficiaries to carry out community development and affordable housing activities that benefit low-income or low- and moderate-income families and persons in rural areas.

a popular "catch-all" program that funds many types of transportation projects

Inquiries for “Application Ready” projects accepted on a rolling basis

We offer grants of up to $100,000 to help cover costs associated with developing applications, including hiring a grant writer or other experts and qualifying as private matching funds. We also offer technical assistance, including helping identify funding programs your project is eligible for and reviewing the federal proposal before submission. Learn more and submit an inquiry here!

This opportunity is designed for organizations that have little to no experience applying for federal funds. Each awardee will receive one-year grants of $150,000 and customized technical assistance that will together help build readiness to apply for and manage federal funding.

The application window has closed. Stay tuned for information about future rounds of funding.

From an open application, the Challenge will deploy flexible, gap-filling philanthropic funding and technical assistance to scale inclusive workforce development, support effective planning and implementation, and deliver uplifting careers.

January 19th, at 11:59 PM ET

READY Local Governments offers no-cost training and funding (no match required) to help local government officials better identify, secure, manage, and implement federally funded projects.

The announcement included a Notice of Solicitation of Applicants (NOSA) for the first READY Local Governments training opportunity—a virtual, nine-week program in spring 2024 that will help local government administrators and officials learn actionable skills, including:

Project Identification, Research, and Planning
The Grant Lifecycle
Federal Grant Application Development
Community Engagement
Federal Grant Regulations and Compliance
Federal Grant Financial and Risk Management

Our initial three-year commitment of $60 million annually will support four focus areas, which are designed to support communities applying for funds, expedite clean energy projects, accelerate clean energy workforce growth and build lasting support.

Community/Economic Development, Education, Health

The Foundation’s agenda seeks to promote regional planning and cooperation, recognizing that with respect to any endeavor, “region” should mean whatever area is most appropriate to optimize the available opportunity, without reference to historic, geographic, or political boundaries. The expected outcomes of the Foundation’s Economic Development grants are the creation and growth of innovative, wealth-producing businesses and high-quality jobs.