Delaware Grants

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) solicits applications designed to increase the ability of EPA Region 3 states (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia and the District of Columbia) to manage food scraps more sustainably through composting. In particular, the NOFO seeks to increase capacity for food scraps composting in the region through the upgrade of yard waste composting facilities. The upgraded yard waste composting facilities will be capable of processing waste food which increases the capacity for wasted food composting in the region. For further details see the NOFO.

The First State Food System Program, funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, is designed to support and strengthen Delaware's local food system. Its overarching mission, facilitated by the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Council on Farm & Food Policy (Council), aligns with the goal of ensuring farmers have access to viable markets, households can access nutritious food, and the impacts of supply chain disruptions are reduced. The program aims to foster a resilient food system by offering grants to a diverse range of entities operating across the food supply chain within the State of Delaware. Target beneficiaries include entities that grow, process, store, transport, distribute, or sell food in Delaware, encompassing small to mid-sized for-profit producers, nonprofit organizations, aquaculture/fishery operators, food distributors, transporters, and food processing operators. The program's impact goals are centered on enabling these local entities to overcome challenges, build resilience, and contribute to a more robust food system. Specifically, it seeks to increase food production, enhance direct-to-consumer sales, improve food transformation activities, bolster transportation and distribution, and increase the flexibility of food retail outlets. The program prioritizes projects that support or benefit more than one entity or producer within Delaware’s food system. This focus is intended to strengthen the local food system through wide-reaching and complementary efforts rather than isolated, narrowly focused projects. Eligible projects are evaluated based on the entity's viability, its function and reach within the food system, and its capacity to add to food production, sales, processing, transportation, or distribution; improve efficiency and reduce costs; increase capacity of retail outlets; align with consumer needs; address proximity challenges; or increase emerging agricultural practices. Expected outcomes include a measurable positive impact on Delaware's food supply chain. Projects should create or contribute to outcomes such as increased volume of food production, greater availability of food products through various outlets, enhanced processing activities, more efficient transportation and distribution, improved capacity and flexibility of food retail outlets, and the adoption of innovative agricultural practices. The Council will award grants ranging from $2,500 to $150,000, and applicants must demonstrate the entity's infrastructure and capacity to successfully implement the project, with a general requirement for entities to be in operation for two or more years.

The Community Reinvestment Fund is a capital grant program established by the Delaware General Assembly, designed to foster community redevelopment, revitalization, and investment capital projects. Its overarching mission is to improve the economic, cultural, historical, and recreational health of Delaware communities. This program aligns with a strategic priority to enhance local well-being and stimulate growth across various sectors within the state. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include county and local governments, community-based nonprofit organizations, and private sector nonprofit organizations that hold a 501(c)3 designation at the time of application. The program specifically excludes state agencies, school districts, charter schools, private schools, institutions of higher education, childcare facilities, churches, fire companies, fiscal agents, and for-profit organizations. The impact goals are broad, aiming for a holistic improvement in community health. The program prioritizes projects that involve preconstruction costs, land acquisition, building construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or restoration. It also supports the acquisition or installation of apparatus or equipment permanently attached to buildings, and the acquisition and improvement of land for project sites. Furthermore, the construction of sidewalks, sewers, or water mains connecting to public systems are eligible. These priorities demonstrate a focus on tangible, capital-intensive projects that build or restore essential community infrastructure. The expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful completion of capital projects that contribute to the economic, cultural, historical, and recreational health of Delaware communities. While specific metrics are not detailed, the emphasis on "redevelopment," "revitalization," and "investment" suggests a theory of change where targeted capital injections lead to observable improvements in community assets and overall quality of life. The program implicitly aims for a ripple effect, where improved infrastructure and facilities foster greater community engagement, economic activity, and cultural preservation.

The Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Trails (ORPT) Program, formerly known as the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund (DTF), is a matching grant program in Delaware. Its core mission is to assist with public park land acquisition and the development of outdoor recreation facilities. This aligns with a broader foundation mission to enhance public access to green spaces and improve community well-being through recreation. The program emphasizes collaboration, encouraging partnerships between governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and other non-traditional recreation providers, though only municipalities and counties are eligible to apply. The primary beneficiaries of the ORPT Program are county and municipal governments and park districts in Delaware, along with the communities they serve. The impact goals are to increase and improve public parkland, open spaces, and outdoor recreation facilities across the state. This includes ensuring modern, safe, and universally accessible facilities for all residents. A key focus is also on supporting areas identified as having the highest social vulnerability, aiming to reduce disparities in access to quality outdoor recreation. The program prioritizes a diverse range of projects, including fee simple acquisition of parkland and open space, purchase of development rights, replacement of outdated facilities, and new construction of various outdoor recreation amenities such as athletic fields, playgrounds, swimming pools, picnic areas, and park infrastructure. Additionally, it supports professional services for park master planning and universal accessibility upgrades. This comprehensive approach ensures that both the physical spaces and the planning for their future development are addressed. Expected outcomes include a significant expansion of available parkland and open space, modernization of existing facilities, and the creation of new recreational opportunities for communities. Measurable results could include the number of acres acquired, the number of new or renovated facilities, increased visitor numbers, and improved scores on community health and well-being indicators in funded areas, especially those with high social vulnerability. The program's strategic priority on assisting vulnerable census tracts demonstrates a theory of change focused on equitable access and community resilience. The ORPT Program offers matching grant assistance, with municipalities and counties eligible for up to 50% of project costs. To further support areas with greater need, park districts, municipalities that have not previously received ORPT funds, and projects in Census Tracts identified with a high CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI score range 0.75 – 1.00) can receive up to 75% assistance. This tiered funding structure reflects a strategic priority to channel resources where they can have the greatest impact, aligning with a theory of change that targeted investment can address social inequities and foster healthier communities.

This funding opportunity supports innovative bioscience research projects in Delaware that have the potential for significant economic impact, targeting researchers and businesses in the developmental stage.

EPoC – Entrepreneurial Proof of Concept o Supports proof of concept research towards establishing a new Delaware-based business by the end of the grant period. o Up to $75,000 for 1 year . Proposal must be submitted as a single electronic PDF document at the link provided on the CAT website https://cat.dbi.udel.edu. Please note that submission and award processes have changed.Proposal must be submitted as a single electronic PDF document at the link provided on the CAT website https://cat.dbi.udel.edu. Please note that submission and award processes have changed.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative bioscience research projects between Delaware academic institutions and businesses, aimed at fostering innovation and economic growth in the state.

ARC supports bioscience research projects that involve collaboration between Delaware academic institutions and business partners. It is designed to enhance applied research collaborations, and single PI proposals may request up to $100,000; multi-PI proposals may request up to $150,000 for one year. The program requires matching funds from the collaborating industry partner. Grant renewed every year.

iHIT – Ideas – High-return, Innovative, Transformative o Supports ideas in bioscience research that are in the development stage and promise to have a high economic return for innovative and transformative research projects. o This mechanism intends to support applicants to develop novel lines of multidisciplinary research different from their ongoing research. o Up to $75,000 for 1 year.Proposal must be submitted as a single electronic PDF document at the link provided on the CAT website https://cat.dbi.udel.edu. Please note that submission and award processes have changed.

This funding opportunity provides up to $75,000 to researchers in Delaware to develop innovative ideas into marketable products or services, fostering the growth of new businesses and high-tech jobs in the state.

TAP provides Delaware bioscience businesses access to high-end research technologies at reduced rates. Eligible facilities include Bioimaging, DNA Sequencing & Genotyping, Bioinformatics, NMR, and Mass Spectrometry. This program supports the technological advancement of Delaware's bioscience sector by making cutting-edge resources more accessible, with funding up to $5,000 per year per core facility.

The Delaware Division of the Arts awards Arts Access Grants to support the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout Delaware. These grants aim to provide experiences of artistic merit, support arts programs in new venues, foster collaboration, reach underserved audiences, and promote the creation of new works and conservation of diverse cultural traditions. Eligible applicants include municipal, county, or state government units within Delaware, and Delaware-based nonprofit organizations exempt from federal income tax under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants may request up to 80% of eligible expenses, not exceeding $1,250. The grants focus on projects that provide increased access to the arts, especially in underserved communities, and demonstrate effective management and marketing.

This funding opportunity supports Delaware schools and not-for-profit agencies in bringing professional artists into classrooms to enhance student learning through creative arts experiences.

The Delaware Division of the Arts offers the TranspARTation Grant Program, designed to support the travel expenses for Delaware students to attend high-quality arts events, performances, and exhibits at arts and cultural institutions and venues within the state. This initiative aims to enhance students' exposure to and participation in the arts by covering costs related to buses, fuel, parking, and tolls. Funding is available for nonprofit K-12 public, private, or charter schools in Delaware, including Pre-K programs affiliated with public schools. Eligible schools may apply for one grant per school year, with Title I schools eligible for additional grants subject to available funding. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, starting August 15 of the current fiscal year and require submission at least 6 weeks before the intended field trip date. Grants are reimbursed to schools post-event upon receipt of the Final Report.

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based non-profit organizations to support projects that promote Japanese arts and culture, particularly in areas with limited access to such events.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to universities in specific states and territories to enhance their research capabilities in science and engineering, aligning with the needs of the Department of Defense.

This program provides funding to universities in eligible states to enhance their research capabilities in science and engineering that support the needs of the Department of Defense.

About This Grant The Paul J. Rickards, Jr. Teaching Innovation Grant program is designed to support instructors with developing and implementing novel teaching strategies. Experimentation, collaboration and the exploration of new approaches to teaching are encouraged. The deadline for submitting a 2024-2025 proposal is May 1, 2024. Program At-a-Glance Focus: This grant program promotes teaching innovation with initial funding up to $5,000 and project support. Eligibility: Any “instructor of record” at the University of Delaware can apply. We welcome proposals from instructors of record across all disciplines and areas of expertise and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. Support: Along with funding, successful applicants will receive technical support and project management assistance from UDIT Academic Technology Services. Requirements: Grant recipients are required to share what they learn from their project through a presentation, project report, or other method of their choosing. The project team may also be asked to participate in a video interview about the project. Grant renewed every year.

The Preschool Development Grant is a three-year federal initiative designed to bolster Delaware's early childhood system, ensuring it is inclusive and integrated to support the development and learning of all children and their families from birth through age 5. With an $8 million award for its first year, following a $4.2 million PDG B-5 grant received in December 2018, the grant aims to provide high-quality early learning experiences and facilitate a smooth transition to kindergarten for children. Approximately $4.8 million of the grant is allocated to expand home-visiting services and state-funded preschool seats, while $3.2 million is dedicated to enhancing support for professionals, including technological advancements delayed by the pandemic. Key initiatives funded by the grant include expanding state-funded preschool programs, piloting the Family Connects home visiting model, updating family materials for resource and referral, enhancing workforce support for early childhood professionals, developing a mental health consultation program for home visitors, and updating the state’s strategic plans for a cohesive birth to five strategy.

This grant provides funding for various organizations in Delaware to support tree planting initiatives that enhance climate resilience and promote environmental justice.