Federal Environment Grants

The Embassy of the United States of America in Azerbaijan is pleased to announce a call for proposals to support community-building initiatives that will increase the ability of local communities to identify and solve their problems and stimulate greater civic participation. It will also fund innovative individual initiatives to enhance Azerbaijans prosperity and well-being. The competition is open to all well-developed, innovative community-building initiatives that will help build vibrant communities that are able to address local needs and collaborate on solutions. Proposals should connect to the following thematic areas: Raising environmental awareness and/or enhancing communities ability to address environmental issues, with a view also toward Azerbaijans hosting of COP29. Activities in this area could include public advocacy campaigns and community projects. The success of selected projects will be measured by the number of locally involved participants and number of problems tackled, as well as outcomes that demonstrate the programs efficacy at both community, or wider geographical area determined by the program objectives. Helping local citizens to identify their community problems and create ways of solving those problems through volunteerism and/or in cooperation with community groups, such as associations, volunteer groups, NGOs. The success of selected projects will be measured by the number and quality of the newly established community groups, as determined by program objectives, and results-oriented initiatives they catalyze. Advocating for disadvantaged communities by creating opportunities for their development and capacity-building, including provision of legal services. The success of selected projects will be measured by the number of clients and the outcome of their cases as well number of educated citizenry able to solve their legal issues. Proposals should include a mechanism to demonstrate how they will measure client satisfaction with their services, as well as a description of the project;apos;s post-funding-period sustainability plan (e.g., through a capacity-building component). To pursue knowledge and practices in northern regions that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations, support low-income families, and increase entrepreneurship opportunities for vulnerable women. Participants and Audiences: The intended participants for potential projects are groups or individuals representing economically and socially disadvantaged communities, including IDPs, women and girls, persons with disabilities, and young people.

This funding opportunity supports research and development of advanced transportation technologies, prioritizing projects that improve vehicle efficiency and battery technology while benefiting underserved communities across the U.S.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for state and local governments, tribes, and non-profits to monitor salmon populations and manage invasive species at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, contributing to the recovery of the endangered Cook Inlet Beluga Whale.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryNRCS is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Caribbean Area Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities (Section C) for projects carried out in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico (PR) and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)). A total of up to $500,000 is available for the Caribbean Area CIG competition in FY 2024. All non-Foreign, non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2024 is $100,000. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Completing all steps required to start an application can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 15, 2024 For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.A webinar for CIG applicants is scheduled for April 9, 2024 at 9 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time. Information on how to participate in the webinar will be posted to the HYPERLINK website. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Caribbean Area CIG website to learn more about the CIG program.The agency anticipates making selections by June 30, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 30, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

This initiative provides $10 million in funding to support solar developers in creating community-focused solar projects that benefit underserved populations through economic and environmental improvements.

This program provides $20 million in funding to support the development of innovative recycling technologies and processes for materials used in wind turbines, targeting universities, businesses, nonprofits, and government entities.

This funding opportunity supports youth-led conferences and workshops across the Pacific region, aimed at empowering emerging leaders aged 25 to 40 to collaboratively tackle critical regional challenges in areas such as security, food supply, digital media, and public health.

The 2025 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside Program is a grant that awards scallop quota to successful applicants for conducting research to enhance knowledge about the scallop fishery resource and contribute to scallop management decisions, with funding generated from the sale of the awarded quota.

This funding supports institutions in developing training programs for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers in biomedical and clinical fields, with a focus on enhancing diversity and preparing trainees for successful research careers.

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), aims to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the United States. With a total allocation of $5 billion over fiscal years 2022 through 2026, the program focuses on building a reliable, equitable, and interconnected network of EV chargers, particularly along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) and the Interstate Highway System. States are required to submit an annual EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan outlining their intended use of NEVI funds, which must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The program emphasizes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting equitable EV adoption, and creating sustainable jobs. Plans must address technical standards, data sharing, workforce training, and public engagement, with a strong focus on benefiting disadvantaged communities.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance (SLA) Program provides grants to the States, and through them to local units of government and federallyrecognized Indian tribes, for projects that will provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public. This is accomplished through the acquisition of lands and waters for parks and other outdoor recreation areas, as well as through the development of new, or the renovation of existing, outdoor recreation facilities. The Program is operated by the National Park Service (NPS) in partnership with designated State Lead Agencies in each of the 50 States as well as American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Congress allocates money from the LWCF for this program, which is then apportioned to the States based on a legislative formula. To be eligible for LWCF grants, States must maintain an approved Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which is used to assess the supply and demand for outdoor recreation resources and set priorities for the use of LWCF funds. Since 1964, more than $5.2 billion has been made available to all 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia and more than 44,000 grants have been awarded. The Department of Defense (DOD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program protects the Nation’s military readiness, enhances relationships with communities, preserves the environment, and improves military installation and community resilience to climate change. Under 10 U.S.C. 2684a, the REPI program funds cost-sharing partnerships for the military with state and local governments and private conservation organizations. These partnerships obtain easements or other interests in land from willing sellers or promote natural resource management and military installation resilience to preserve critical areas, resources, and natural infrastructure near military installations. Since program inception, REPI partnership projects have protected nearly 1.18 million acres of land in 120 locations in 35 states and territories. Overseen by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and implemented by the military services, REPI projects help to preserve vital missions at key military installations. In coordination with Congress and the DoD, the Secretary of the Interior has established a special competitive funding initiative using previously apportioned funds that are not currently allocated to any particular state or territory. The Readiness and Recreation Initiative will seek to fund projects that will acquire and enhance lands for public outdoor recreation that are also within the geographic scope of an agreement between a state, local government, or conservation-focused non-governmental entity and a military department pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2684a. Projects must meet the dual purposes of 1) providing outdoor recreation opportunities, and 2) promoting or supporting compatible land uses and avoiding incompatible development 4 in areas in the vicinity of, or ecologically related to, a military installation or military airspace, and/or to maintain or enhance the climate resilience of one or more military installations (hereinafter, “REPI Partnership Opportunity Area”). The projects will serve the general public and military families. Therefore, consistent with the purposes and requirements of the LWCF Act and LWCF Manual, the NPS is seeking land acquisition only or acquisition with compatible recreation development (aka, “combination”) project proposals matching the following factors: • meeting a priority outdoor recreation need or goal as identified in the State’s SCORP as well asthat of the community(ies), and that will provide compatible land use within the REPI Partnership Opportunity Area. • creating or expanding public outdoor recreational opportunities for the general public, including for residents and military families associated with the military installation within the REPI Partnership Opportunity Area. • located within an active REPI Partnership Opportunity Area. • promoting compatible land uses for military installations within REPI Partnership Opportunity Areas, particularly land uses related to compatible recreation development, advancing conservation or climate resilience (only if also offering compatible public access). • advancing the goals of a REPI partnership.

The principle objective of the Traditional Conservation Grant Program is to support the development and implementation of States programs to conserve and recover threatened and endangered species under the Services jurisdiction. Financial assistance, provided in the form of grants, can be used to support projects that have direct benefits for federally listed species, candidate and at-risk species, and recently delisted species. States may apply for funding to conduct conservation work on federally-listed resident species that are included in the States cooperative agreement. States may also apply for funding to monitor candidate, at-risk, and recently delisted species. Projects proposed for funding may involve management, research, monitoring, and outreach activities or any combination thereof. Applications should include clear and specific information about how the proposed work would contribute to species recovery or prevent the need to list a species under the Endangered Species Act. Successful applications will be those that clearly demonstrate a direct benefit to the species or its habitat.

This grant provides funding and technical assistance to organizations that help state, local, and Tribal governments improve their planning and permitting processes for large-scale renewable energy projects.

The DWS Grant Program has been established to help individuals with low to moderate incomes finance the costs of household water wells and individually owned decentralized wastewater systems that they own or will own. Grant funds must be used to establish and maintain a revolving fund to provide loans and sub-grants to eligible individuals for individually owned water well systems and/or individually owned wastewater systems. Individual households may use the loan and/or sub-grant funds to construct, refurbish, rehabilitate, or replace decentralized water systems up to the point of entry to a home. Point of entry for the well system is the junction where water enters into a home water delivery system after being pumped from a well. For septic systems, in lieu of the point of entry, the point of exit is substituted. The point of exit is the junction where wastewater exits out of the home wastewater collection system into the septic tank and drain field. Grant funds may be used to pay administrative expenses associated with providing DWS loans and/or sub-grants.

This funding opportunity is designed to support research initiatives that enhance the understanding and management of Atlantic bluefin tuna populations, particularly through collaboration with international partners involved in their conservation.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to farmer-led organizations and partnerships focused on improving water quality and environmental resilience in the Gulf of Mexico watershed through innovative agricultural practices.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to manage the Healthy Watersheds Consortium (HWC) Grant Program to continue efforts to accelerate and expand the strategic protection of healthy freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems and their watersheds across the country. This grant program will advance the protection of healthy watersheds by supporting an array of projects to build watershed protection capacity and support actions to protect healthy watersheds.

This funding opportunity supports promising predoctoral students in health-related fields to receive personalized research training and mentorship, helping them develop into independent research scientists.

The San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program (Recovery Program) was established in 1991 to allow water development to continue within the Basin while still complying with the Endangered Species Act and protecting the endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. The Recovery Program consists of partners who are committed to the recovery of the listed fishes under the Endangered Species Act and includes water users, conservation groups, state, federal and tribal agencies. For further information on the Recovery Program, see https://coloradoriverrecovery.org/sj/. The San Juan River is partially regulated by Navajo Dam. There are several tributaries that flow into the San Juan River between the dam and Lake Powell, but substantial diversions occur from these tributaries limiting the contribution to the flow regime. Operation of Navajo Dam began in 1962 and has resulted in altered flow into the San Juan River with a tendency towards reduced spring flows in some years and supplemented flows in other seasons. Because frequency and magnitudes of flows are important triggers for various life cycle stages of endangered species, the Recovery Program developed flow recommendations to guide releases from Navajo Dam. The flow recommendations are designed to meet the conditions required to develop and maintain habitat for Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker and provide the necessary hydrologic conditions for the various life stages of endangered and other native fishes. The habitat monitoring that is part of this project will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of flow recommendations and management actions on habitat. Since 1992, aerial imagery has been collected along the San Juan River between the confluence of the Animas River (River Mile (RM) 180) and the inflow of Lake Powell (the interface between the San Juan River and Lake Powell) to as far downriver as Neskahi Canyon (RM -30). A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) flight was conducted in 2013. The imagery is used within the Recovery Program to track changes in channel morphology and habitat. Specifically, the number and area of low velocity habitat (backwaters, Notice of Funding Opportunity No. R24AS00327 2 embayments), total wetted area (wetted habitat and wetted channels of the river), and island complexes (used as a surrogate for habitat complexity) are quantified (Table 1). This extensive data set allows for tracking changes in habitat and assessing the effectiveness of management actions, implemented flows, and intra- and inter-annual variability in flows. The last analysis was conducted in 2022.

This funding opportunity supports programs that engage underserved communities, enhance behavioral health services, promote environmental stewardship, and provide significant benefits to AmeriCorps members, particularly focusing on youth, veterans, and public health initiatives.