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Grant Opportunities:
1) EPA’s Community Change Grants Program provides approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funds for 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. EPN has created suggested 6-step application guides for Track I and Track II, with checklists, templates, and additional resources. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2024, but acceptance is rolling so applicants are encouraged to apply early. As a first step, we encourage all interested applicants and potential partners to fill out our Partner and Assistance Survey so that you can use the responses (publicly available here) to find partners and share information.
2) EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Implementation Grants Competitions make $4.6 billion available across two implementation grant competitions, one general competition and one specifically for Tribes and territories. Under these competitions, eligible applicants will compete for CPRG implementation grants to fund measures in their state-, municipality-, Tribe-, or territory-specific climate action plans. The deadline to apply to the general competition is April 1, 2024. The deadline to apply to the Tribes and territories competition is May 1, 2024. EPN has created suggested step-by-step application guides for the general and Tribal/territories competitions with checklists, templates, sample applications, and additional resources. If you and/or the organization you are affiliated with would like to be connected to state officials working on this process to ensure your voice is heard on state priorities, please fill out our survey ASAP!
3) FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) funding opportunities provide $1 billion to help state, local, tribal and territorial governments address high-level future risks to natural disasters, foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering. The application deadline is February 29, 2024.
In addition, BRIC Direct Technical Assistance (BRIC DTA) provides tailored support to communities and tribal nations that may not have the resources to begin climate resilience planning and project solution design on their own. BRIC DTA will partner with communities interested in enhancing their capability and capacity to design holistic, equitable hazard mitigation solutions that advance community-driven objectives. Completed technical assistance forms must be emailed to fema-bric-dta-submission@fema.dhs.gov before February 29, 2024.
4) EPA’s 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program will award at least $500 million to subsidize the purchase of a zero-emission or clean school busses, eligible infrastructure, and other costs, including workforce training. Applications are due via the EPA online application portal before 4 PM ET on January 31, 2024.
5) EPA recently announced their first Electric Vehicle Video Prize Challenge! You can win up to $3,000 while sharing your positive experience with electric transportation, whether it’s a car, bus, or ebike/scooter. Submissions are due January 23, 2024.
Webinars:
6) EPA hosts regular webinars to help potential federal funding applicants and recipients. During each webinar, EPA staff will review key aspects of EPA’s grants processes and requirements and answer questions. To receive notice on upcoming trainings and other tips, sign up here.
The following webinars are available this week:
– TODAY! Monday, December 4, 2023, 1-2 p.m. ET, Competition Process: This webinar is intended to help grant applicants learn how to find and successfully apply for competitive EPA grants. Register here.
– Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 3-4 p.m. ET, Fair Share Objectives: This training gives an overview of Fair Share negotiations, guidance, and process. Register here.
– Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 1-2 p.m. ET, Indirect Cost Rates: The indirect cost training will provide an understanding of how indirect cost rates are calculated and approved. In addition, EPA will review their Indirect Cost Rate Policy and the Indirect Cost Rate Agreement Term and Condition, and review which rates are allowable for the different recipient types. They will also discuss how to properly apply an approved rate and how to apply the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate correctly. Register here.
7) EPA is hosting a series of 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program Webinars on a variety of topics in December (5th and 13th), January (9th and 24th), and February (7th) to provide potential applicants. For information and registration, go here.
– On Tuesday, December 5th, from 1-2 p.m. ET, EPA and the Department of the Treasury will provide an overview of IRS Tax Credits that may be used in tandem with the CSB Program. Selectees may be eligible for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits applicable to their bus and infrastructure purchases; namely, the Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit provides up to $40,000 for qualified commercial clean vehicles, and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit provides up to $100,000 for qualified charging and refueling infrastructure.
8) EPA’s WaterTA provides free hands-on support for communities to assess their water needs, identify potential solutions, and apply for federal funding to address their water challenges. On December 12, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. ET, WaterTA will hold an informational webinar about the program. Register here, and submit a TA request here.