State Science and Technology Grants

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office manages the Land and Water Conservation Fund in Washington to preserve and develop public outdoor recreation resources. The federal program, created by Congress in 1965, provides financial assistance for acquisition and development of parks, trails, and wildlife lands. Typical projects renovate community parks and build facilities such as skate parks, tennis courts, swimming pools, trails, and athletic fields, while protecting habitat where appropriate. Eligible activities include land acquisition and development or renovation of outdoor recreation areas. Grant limits range from 200,000 to 2,000,000 dollars. Eligible applicants include local agencies, special purpose districts such as park and recreation districts, Native American tribes, and state agencies. All communities may compete for funding. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Grant duration is not stated. Official program details are available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering the Manufacturing Retention Grant Program. This program is designed to help manufacturing companies maintain their operational presence within Illinois. Its core mission is to encourage businesses to invest in their workforce, facilities, equipment, technologies, and infrastructure, thereby securing existing jobs and fostering economic stability in the state. The program is supported through the Enterprise Fund, administered by DCEO, which typically funds a broad range of economic development projects. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are private for-profit business entities that operate a major manufacturing complex in Bushnell, Illinois, specifically within McDonough County. These companies must have less than 1,000 employees and extensive experience in tool manufacturing. A key eligibility criterion is the requirement to have acquired a tool manufacturing firm in McDonough County with a minimum of 100 full-time equivalent employees. The grant's impact goal is to retain these companies' manufacturing campuses at operating production levels that support at least 100 employees at the Bushnell site. The program prioritizes job retention in Illinois through various investments. Eligible expenses encompass employee payroll for existing employees (including backpay incurred from May 14, 2024), invoices for services, training expenses for existing employees, and significant capital improvements. These improvements include refurbishment or replacement of machinery, equipment, and tooling (e.g., forging hammers, Swiss lathes), facility repairs (e.g., roof repair, electrical upgrades), productivity and innovation initiatives (e.g., robotics reprogramming, induction heat furnaces), and the replenishment of inventory to maintain standard stocking levels for daily production. The expected outcome of the Manufacturing Retention Grant Program is the successful retention of manufacturing operations and a minimum employment level of 100 employees at the Bushnell site. Measurable results will be directly tied to the utilization of the $5,000,000 total funding, with a performance period spanning from September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2026. The DCEO's strategic priority, as evidenced by this program, is to safeguard manufacturing jobs and foster a robust economic environment within Illinois, aligning with a theory of change that posits direct investment in established manufacturing entities will lead to sustained employment and economic growth.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is offering the 2024 Community & Urban Forestry Assistance (CUFA) Grant. This program aims to foster the long-term growth and development of community forestry programs throughout Indiana. The core mission of the grant aligns with enhancing the quality of life for residents by investing in sustainable urban forest management. The overall funding available for this program is $230,000, with individual project requests ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000. The target beneficiaries of the CUFA Grant include municipalities (cities, towns, townships, counties, and other local government entities as defined by IC 369-1-2) and non-profit 501(c)3 organizations. The grant's impact goals are broad, focusing on the expansion and preservation of urban tree canopy, increased and more equitable access to urban tree canopy, broadened community engagement in urban forest planning, and improved resilience to climate change, pests, and storm events through best management practices. The program prioritizes several key areas. These include establishing and strengthening community urban forestry programs, promoting urban forestry benefits through proper tree selection, planting, and care, establishing comprehensive tree inventories for data-driven decisions, and promoting risk management through tree assessment and mitigation plans. The grant also emphasizes restoring diminished community tree canopy, diversifying urban forests for long-term resilience, and ensuring urban forests provide ecosystem services such as cleaner air, improved watershed health, reduced erosion, stormwater runoff, and reduced urban heat island effects. Expected outcomes and measurable results include addressing historic inequities in urban forestry, adapting urban forest accessibility to changing demographics, promoting the Indiana nursery and arboriculture industries, and enhancing the built environment through increased property values and reduced energy demands. The grant supports activities such as the development of tree inventories or urban tree canopy assessments, creation or update of urban forestry management/response plans, education and training, and community engagement and tree planting initiatives. All tree planting projects must include community engagement, occur on public property, utilize 100% native Indiana species (with limited exceptions for Acer genus trees), and include a maintenance plan. Other supported activities include urban wood utilization, establishment of urban food forests, invasive species removal, and community website development specific to urban forestry.

This program provides financial support to individuals, businesses, and organizations in Montana to develop new agricultural products and processes through grants and loans for various project activities.

This grant provides funding for a variety of entities, including governments, educational institutions, and farmers, to research and demonstrate the integration of solar energy systems with agricultural practices in Colorado.

This funding initiative provides financial support for innovative projects that enhance oil recovery methods in North Dakota, particularly targeting collaborations between oil operators, service companies, and research institutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to Maryland counties and municipalities to implement a streamlined solar permitting software, helping them meet state requirements for residential solar energy systems.

This program provides funding to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop producers and related organizations in Michigan through initiatives in marketing, research, education, and sustainability.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, that provide high-quality summer programs for children and youth, focusing on positive youth development and mitigating summer learning loss.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public and nonprofit organizations in Indiana to develop community-based alternatives to juvenile detention and improve outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for New York State researchers working on advanced projects to develop and improve treatments for spinal cord injuries, aiming to translate scientific discoveries into clinical applications.

This funding supports Indiana's state and local governments, as well as tribal agencies, in enhancing criminal justice systems, crime prevention efforts, and public safety initiatives.

This program provides funding to support the maintenance and improvement of rail freight services in Pennsylvania, benefiting railroad companies, municipalities, and businesses that rely on rail infrastructure.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and Tribal governments in Minnesota for projects that protect and restore the state's water resources, including initiatives like clean water workshops and stormwater filtration systems.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to New York State municipalities for developing or expanding food scraps recycling programs to promote sustainable waste management and reduce landfill waste.

This program provides financial incentives to businesses in California's commercial and industrial refrigeration sectors to adopt environmentally friendly refrigerant technologies that significantly reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

This funding provides financial support to Virginia's local sheriff's departments for purchasing essential law enforcement equipment to enhance public and officer safety.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to New Mexico-based small businesses that have received federal SBIR or STTR awards, helping them commercialize innovative technologies and grow their operations in key industry sectors.

This program provides low-interest loans to small businesses in Arizona to promote economic development and job creation.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to K-12 educators in Wyoming for professional development activities that enhance STEM education in their classrooms or educational settings.