Grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Business and Commerce

This grant invites private sector companies and organizations to collaborate with USAID on projects that address economic growth, financial inclusion, and environmental sustainability, leveraging their resources and expertise to achieve shared development goals.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) seeks proposals to voluntarily conserve aquatic habitat in southeastern United States and Texas. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/18/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The priorities of the Southeast Aquatics Fund are informed by the aquatic goals and strategies of the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, which was adopted by the NFWF Board of Directors in 2018 (updated 2023). To the extent possible, proposals should describe how activities will advance specific goals and objectives of the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan and/or other relevant conservation plans. The plan seeks to conserve the extraordinary biodiversity found across the southeast. It prioritizes work in northern Alabama and Georgia due to measurement and monitoring constraints. It utilizes a suite of aquatic species as indicators of healthy aquatic habitat in prioritized watersheds. Because of the priority given to this subregion, funding is available for a wide range of activities in the Conasauga River (GA) and Locust Fork and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. Priority will be given to projects that would benefit the following focal species: Conasauga River – Endemic and Native Fishes (Alabama shiner, banded sculpin, blue shiner, bridled darter, Coosa darter, Coosa shiner, Greenbreast darter, tricolor shiner and trispot darter). Middle Coosa – Trispot darter Funding Information Approximately $8.45 million is available in grant funding in 2024. Grant awards are expected to range from $150,000 to $500,000, depending on the overall scale and duration of the project. Project Period Anticipated completion time for funded projects typically will be 24–36 months following finalization of a grant agreement.  Geographic Scope Grants will be made in specific geographies or river basins in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and Texas.  Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. Applicants must comply with or be exempted from federal single audit requirements. Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. U.S. Federal agencies are encouraged to partner with applicants but are not eligible to apply. For more information, visit NFWF.

This funding opportunity supports university researchers in developing and commercializing life sciences inventions to advance their practical applications and attract potential investors.

The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program provides funding to organizations to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards from women, socially/economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses in underrepresented areas - typically rural states.

This program provides funding to support businesses and organizations involved in processing, storing, and distributing locally produced food in Michigan, helping to strengthen the state's food supply chain.

This grant provides financial support for educational projects in the retail floristry sector, aiming to enhance knowledge and skills across the United States.

The Knox County Community Foundation seeks funding requests for its Target Lasting Change (TLC) Grant Initiative. Funding will be focused on quality of life and quality of place programs/projects in Knox County that have the potential to stimulate economic growth within the county. A $100,000 grant will be awarded to one charitable organization whose funding request most aligns with initiative goals and aims to make a significant and sustained, positive impact in the community.

The BARN grant program aims to preserve Kansas barns, reviving underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated structures while fostering new economic activity through agritourism ventures. These building grants are specifically designed to rescue barns from likely demolition or collapse and rehabilitate them into spaces conducive for new or expanding agritourism businesses. The types of projects we are looking for with the BARN grant are those that will encourage people, particularly from out of state, to visit agritourism locations in Kansas. All projects should have an accountable tie to the tourism industry. The future uses of the barn, transformed through the BARN program, are not solely about preserving historical structures. Rather, they are about repurposing these spaces into vibrant hubs for agritourism activities, thereby injecting new life and economic opportunities into communities. Agritourism ventures capitalize on the appeal of agricultural experiences, offering visitors opportunities to engage with farming, local food production, and rural culture in immersive and educational ways.

The Black Equity & Excellence Fund supports community-based projects for the Black community of Central New York that promote and encourage self-sufficiency and improve the physical and economic conditions that affect quality of life. Donor Name: Central New York Community Foundation State: New York County: Madison County (NY), Onondaga County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Foundation encourages dialogue that will strengthen race-related matters and support social and educational growth in the community. Types of Projects Projects must benefit the Black community or build upon the capabilities of your organization. Projects that focus on one of the following interest areas would qualify for a Black Equity & Excellence grant: Black Creatives Black Leadership + Advancement Black LGBTQIA+ Black Mental Wellness Black Legacy + Generational Wealth Black Business Black Maternal Health Black Civic Engagement Black Youth + Students Black Tech Funding Information Project funding levels are as follows: Grassroots Organizations/Businesses with a Fiscal Sponsor: $10k and under Pilot programs or small projects: $11k-$25k Expansion of existing projects: $26k-$55k Large capital projects or renovations: $56k-$75k Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, prospective applicants must meet all of these requirements: Have Black leadership in the senior executive position. Have at least 51% Black membership on their Board or steering committee. Seek to explicitly serve the Black community by targeting any of the focus areas listed below 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, publicly supported organizations such as schools and municipalities, or organizations using a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. The use of a fiscal sponsor from a non-Black organization is permitted. Organizations serving residents of Onondaga or Madison counties. Projects Not Supported The Foundation does not make grants for the following: Annual operating budgets, except when it is “seed” or “bridge” funding Endowments Religious purposes Loans or assistance to individuals Medical or academic research (except where requested by a donor) Activities that occurred before the Community Foundation’s decision date For more information, visit CNYCF.

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, funded by the USDA, allocates approximately $2 million for infrastructure grants to Vermont businesses and organizations aiming to strengthen local and regional food systems. The grants support projects that improve the aggregation, distribution, manufacturing, processing, storing, transporting, and wholesaling of Vermont food products. This track encourages development of Vermont value-added products and promotes fair wages and job creation. A 50% match is required, which can be reduced to 25% for historically underserved farmers. Grants range from $100,000 to $500,000 and are available from fall 2024 through February 2027.

This funding opportunity supports researchers conducting in-depth studies on job quality and labor market changes in the U.S., particularly in relation to technology and economic shifts.

This track of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program provides approximately $1 million for grants aimed at purchasing equipment necessary for the middle of the food supply chain activities in Vermont. The grants range from $30,000 to $100,000 with no match requirement. Applications for this track are set to open in late August 2024 and close in early October 2024, with grant activities beginning in early 2025.

This grant provides funding for researchers to study the evolving job landscape for low- and moderately paid workers in the U.S., focusing on the impacts of technology, labor market changes, and public policies on their employment and well-being.

This funding opportunity supports small research projects that explore how technology and policy changes are reshaping the U.S. workforce, focusing on innovative data analysis without addressing health or education.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) is launching the American-Made Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize (ESCRAP) $3.95 million in prizes, this three-phase prize is designed to stimulate innovative approaches that reduce the costs and environmental impact of critical material recovery from electronic scrap (e-scrap) Donor Name: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) State: All States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: 09/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 Million Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize (E-SCRAP) is a $3.95M challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). The prize aims to stimulate innovative approaches that reduce the costs and environmental impact of critical material recovery from electronic scrap (e-scrap). This prize focuses on innovative approaches, processes, or technologies in service of optimizing and implementing critical material separation and recovery from e-scrap. The prize is open to any competitor who works in waste collection and management, dismantling and sorting, separation, refining, validation, and material supply. This is a non-exhaustive list and those who are working in the recycling value chain are encouraged to apply. E-SCRAP is not just a competition; it’s a catalyst for change. By addressing challenges in the e-scrap recycling value chain, competitor teams can each win up to $800,000 in cash prizes and $150,000 in national laboratory analysis support over the course of the three-phase competition. The prize is open to competitors looking to: Build partnerships across the recycling value chain to optimize and integrate critical material separation and recovery technologies. Develop and demonstrate innovations along the recycling value chain to enhance the recovery of critical materials from e-scrap. Select at least one challenge (technical, supply chain, or related logistics hurdle) that needs further development and establish high impact opportunities (co-recovery, feedstock flexibility, information share, material benchmarking…) that will increase the domestic supply of critical materials from e-scrap. Create or enhance supply chains to increase material circularity (e.g., accelerating connectivity between collection, sorting, pre-treatment, processing, refining, validation, and material qualification) Areas of Interest Examples of innovations of interest include: Innovations focused on electronic scrap and could include communication devices such as mobile phones, home appliances, medical or office equipment—anything powered by electricity. Innovations that establish or expand the supply chains of the following critical materials for clean energy: aluminum, cobalt, copper, dysprosium, electrical steel, fluorine, gallium, iridium, lithium, magnesium, natural graphite, neodymium, nickel, platinum, praseodymium, silicon, silicon carbide, and terbium. Innovative approaches, processes, or technologies with improvements to collection and management of scrap, dismantling and sorting, separation, refining, validation, and material supply that serve the optimization and integration of critical material separation and recovery technologies from e-scrap. Innovative approaches, processes, or technologies in service of optimizing and implementing critical material separation and recovery from e-scrap. Innovative approaches to multiple recovery pathways including: Material separation (e.g., Nd separation from shredded e-scrap) Component recovery (e.g., targeted disassembly for removal of permanent magnets from motors or hard disk drives) Reuse (e.g., recovery, validation, and integration of second-life magnets into electronic or energy applications) Integrated recycling value chains that optimize feedstock concentration (sorting and pretreatment) and material separation (e.g., electrochemically) to produce Nd from e-scrap. Innovative approaches to recovering one or more critical materials and value-added products in parallel or in series from e-scrap. Funding Information Phase 1 Prize: $50,000 in cash and $30,000 of analysis consulting during Phase 2 Duration (Months): Six months Phase 2 Prize: $150,000 in cash and $120,000 in analysis technical support during Phase 3 Duration (Months): Nine months Phase 3 Prize: $600,000 in cash Duration (Months): 12 months. Eligibility Criteria  The competition is open only to individuals; private entities (for-profits and nonprofits); nonfederal government entities such as states, counties, tribes, and municipalities; and academic institutions; subject to the following requirements: An individual prize competitor (who is not competing as a member of a group) must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. A group of individuals competing as one team may win, provided that the online account holder of the submission is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Individuals competing as part of a team are eligible to participate if they are legally authorized to work in the United States. Private entities must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States. Academic institutions must be based in the United States. DOE employees, employees of sponsoring organizations, members of their immediate families (e.g., spouses, children, siblings, or parents), and persons living in the same household as such persons, whether or not related, are not eligible to participate in the prize. Individuals who worked at DOE (federal employees or support service contractors) within six months prior to the submission deadline of any contest are not eligible to participate in any prize contests in this program. Federal entities and federal employees are not eligible to participate in any portion of the prize. NREL employees not involved in the administration of the prize and all other national lab employees, including laboratory researchers, may participate as private individuals, provided they do not use their facilities at the national laboratories. Entities and individuals publicly banned from doing business with the U.S. government such as entities and individuals debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participating in Federal programs are not eligible to compete. Individuals participating in a foreign government talent recruitment program sponsored by a country of risk18 and teams that include such individuals are not eligible to compete. Entities owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a government of a country of risk are not eligible to compete. For more information, visit DOE.

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is seeking applications for its C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund to invest in grassroots conservation and education projects that benefit Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife, and that connect people to Wisconsin’s natural resources. Donor Name: Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Priorities Proposals should address one or more of the following priorities: Projects that benefit Wisconsin’s most imperiled natural communities and native plant or wildlife species. Projects that engage and impact underserved communities in Wisconsin and/or support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within Wisconsin’s conservation and environmental education sectors. Projects that build climate resiliency of Wisconsin’s natural resources through natural climate solutions or climate adaptation. All projects should demonstrate measurable outcomes. They encourage innovative projects that leverage resources and partnerships. Funding Information Grants range from $500 to $2,000. Eligibility Criteria Applicant must be one of the following: a public charity with approved 501(c)(3) exempt status (under section 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) Type I and Type II); a federal, state, or local governmental unit, an American Indian nation or tribal community; or an accredited school, college, or university. The following types of organizations are not eligible for funding: individuals; businesses; section 509(a)(3) Type III supporting organizations; private foundations; and private operating foundations. Projects must benefit Wisconsin’s natural resources or people. The total project budget may not exceed $10,000, and overhead costs shall not exceed 15% of the grant. Project expenses may not have been incurred prior to submitting the application. A one-to-one match is required. Match may include in-kind support such as volunteer hours or donated materials. Only one application will be accepted per organization per grant cycle For more information, visit NRFW.

The Go Outside Fund provides funding that helps connect youth to outdoor, nature-based learning experiences. Donor Name: Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Teachers or partner organizations may apply for funding to cover costs that facilitate getting kids outside and hands-on with nature, such as purchasing field supplies, or paying for transportation, substitute teachers, or educator costs. Priorities Grant applications must include a significant component of outdoor activity. Grant applications must directly engage children in outdoor, nature-based learning or facilitate access to the outdoors. Grant applications that align with classroom learning and standards are encouraged but not required. Funding Information Grants between $100 and $500 are available. Eligibility Criteria Applicant must be one of the following: a public charity with approved 501(c)(3) exempt status (under section 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) Type I and Type II); a federal, state, or local governmental unit, an American Indian nation or tribal community; or an accredited school, college, or university. The following types of organizations are not eligible for funding: individuals; businesses; section 509(a)(3) Type III supporting organizations; private foundations; and private operating foundations. Project must directly engage youth age pre-K – 12. Projects must benefit Wisconsin students. Project activities must take place 6 weeks or more after the Go Outside Fund due date. Project expenses may not have incurred prior to submitting the application. For more information, visit NRFW.

The HealthTech Accelerator is a 90-day tech business accelerator exclusively for pre-Series A HealthTech startups focused on Digital Health, Healthcare Services, Health Sustainability and Wellness, Medical Devices and Equipment, Software, Femtech, Augumented Reality, Virtual Reality, PharmacyTech, Wearables and Quantified Self, etc. Donor Name: Tampa Bay Wave State: Florida City: Tampa Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 05/24/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: HealthTech|X is the latest startup focused business accelerator launched by Tampa Bay Wave, a nationally-recognized nonprofit, in partnership with the University of South Florida Research & Innovation, The Florida High Tech Corridor, U.S. Economic Development Corporation and more. Other Wave partnerships include Accenture, hospitals and health systems, healthcare specific VC funds, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Raymond James, and more. Selected companies are not required to relocate for the duration of the program but must plan for on-site participation in Tampa, FL during each of the three blocks of programming.  Criteria for Consideration Business built with proprietary technology creating the next-generation of health technology products & solutions Dedicated management of at least two full-time people Ability to travel to Tampa at least 3 times during the 90-day program Proof of market validation Investable and/or scalable business Viable business plan Financial runaway of at least 6-12 months. For more information, visit Tampa Bay Wave.

This program provides funding to state entities, higher education institutions, and private businesses in Texas to support new and expanded semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing projects.

MDF is NICs Management Development for the Future series, a dynamic, agency exclusive, individual and organizational development experience, which primarily targets the middle management tier of a correctional organization. This established curriculum simultaneously engages all levels of agency leadership through internal action-based learning strategies at the individual, team and agency levels.This agency exclusive leadership development series is conducted over up to 12+ months and is provided to participants within selected partner agencies. The learning strategies used in this blended and hybrid delivery individual and organizational development series include three phases one in person 24 - hour (3 in-person days) and two fully virtual phases (seven, 3-hour virtual instructor led sessions with intersession activities between virtual sessions), each delivered approximately 4 - 5 months apart. Participants will prepare a dynamic leadership development plan, participate in individual developmental coaching, and during intercession periods between phases undertake action-based learning projects1 Campbell, Nancy M. Correctional Leadership Competencies for the 21stCentury: Executives and Senior-Level Leaders, July 2005, Retrieved from https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.nicic.gov/Library/020474.pdf2 Day, David V., John W. Fleenor, Leanna E. Atwater, Rachel E. Sturm, and Rob A. McKee. "Advances in Leader and Leadership Development: A Review of 25 Years of Research and Theory." The Leadership Quarterly 25, no. 1 (February 2014): 63-82.3 Zenger, Jack, and Joe Folkman. "Leadership Development 6.0: Connecting Leadership Development with Drivers of Business Results." Zenger Folkman, 2010. UT: Orem24AC07focused on the relevant issues in their agencies with the intention of applying skills and strategies learned in the program to build organizational capacity and manage organizational change between phases ones, two and three. The blended and hybrid MDF series simultaneously engages all levels of agency leadership through internal action-based learning strategies at the individual, team and agency levels.Pre-session activities prior to each phase include participants completing several online instruments, reading assignments and other required activities. This program is grounded in the evidence based Full Range Leadership Model developed by Bass, B. M., and Avolio, B. J. An on-line 360-degree feedback instrument assesses the participants behavior against the model.A proposal responsive to this solicitation should provide substantiated documentation of: 1) respondent organizational capacity and project management expertise and experience to manage multiple, overlapping projects simultaneously; 2) a minimum of 10 years of experience managing national and regional training events in corrections settings; 3) 10 years of substantiated experience setting up, hosting, producing and facilitating blended (virtual instructor led platforms) and face to face training series; 4) 10 years of substantiated experience facilitating blended and face to face leader training with correctional agencies (jails, prisons, community corrections); 5) proposed faculty with 10 years minimum experience, credentials and qualifications to administer, interpret and facilitate the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire II, FIRO-B Interpretative Report for Organizations, Thomas-Kilman Conflict Mode Indicator and other instrumentation as needed based upon partner agency needs and their applications to corrections settings; 6) 10 years experience for proposed faculty to perform developmental leadership coaching; 7) 10 years experience facilitating experiential leadership training activities and tying them through content and leadership competencies to on the job leadership correctional applications; and 8) 10 years of experience working with executive and senior level leaders in correctional agencies on organizational development initiatives which advance agencies mission, vision and values.