Rhode Island Science and Technology Grants

This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by supporting collaborations among academic institutions, government agencies, and private industry to develop sustainable research infrastructure.

The Consolidated Homeless Fund (CHFP), managed by the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) in Rhode Island, is dedicated to preventing and responding to homelessness across the state. This grant program is deeply aligned with the OHCD's mission to establish a homeless crisis response system that prioritizes prevention and, when homelessness occurs, rapidly transitions individuals to permanent housing solutions. The initiative emphasizes a person-centered approach, rooted in evidence-based best practices, and incorporates a Housing First philosophy that is trauma-informed and low-barrier, reflecting a strategic commitment to holistic and effective interventions. The target beneficiaries for this program are individuals and households experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Rhode Island. The impact goals are to prevent homelessness whenever possible and, failing that, to rapidly exit those affected into stable, permanent housing. The CHFP explicitly calls for proposals that integrate the voices of individuals with lived expertise in homelessness, alongside strategies for harm reduction, trauma-informed care, elimination of barriers, and a strong housing-focused approach. This underscores the program's commitment to creating a system that is responsive to the real-world needs and experiences of those it serves. Priorities and focuses for this RFP include a range of project types such as Emergency Shelters, Street Outreach (including CES Navigation), Rapid Re-Housing, Supportive Services Only, System-wide and systems projects (including Housing Problem Solving), Warming Centers, Temporary Seasonal Shelters, and New Permanent Emergency Shelters. The program strongly encourages agencies to leverage mainstream resources, particularly Medicaid funding, to expand services and reach more households, even while acknowledging that Medicaid cannot cover all aspects of services. This highlights a strategic priority to maximize resource utilization and create a more integrated support system. The expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around a more effective and humane homeless crisis response system. This includes an increase in successful preventions of homelessness, a reduction in the duration of homelessness, and a higher rate of successful transitions to permanent housing. The emphasis on evidence-based practices and a Housing First philosophy suggests a desire for data-driven results that demonstrate a tangible impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness. The grant also seeks innovative projects, indicating a desire to explore new approaches that can further enhance the system's effectiveness. The OHCD's strategic priorities are clearly articulated through its investment in a homeless crisis response system that is person-centered, trauma-informed, and low-barrier. Their theory of change appears to be that by funding a diverse array of projects, emphasizing collaboration, and requiring the incorporation of lived expertise and mainstream resources, they can build a more robust, equitable, and ultimately successful system for preventing and ending homelessness in Rhode Island. The allocation of approximately $4.5 million in funds, with $2.5 million earmarked for new projects, further demonstrates a commitment to both sustaining existing effective programs and fostering innovation within the homeless response sector.

The Public Art Learning Fund, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), is designed to fortify the public art landscape across New England by offering professional development opportunities directly to artists. NEFA's overarching mission, as reflected in this grant, is to cultivate more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout the region. This initiative aligns with NEFA's strategic goal of fostering a sustainable and equitable public art ecosystem by investing in the skills, resources, and connections of artists working in the public realm. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are artists residing full-time in one of the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) who are actively engaged in public artmaking or are in the process of expanding their practice into this domain. The fund aims to empower these artists, contributing to more just and inclusive public art. Expected outcomes include artists developing enhanced skills and resources, leading to the creation of more vibrant public spaces and a stronger regional community of practice. The Public Art Learning Fund prioritizes opportunities that specifically expand an artist's public art practice and contribute equitably to more just and inclusive public artmaking. NEFA seeks clarity on desired learnings and their application to the artist's practice. The fund welcomes artists at various stages of their public artmaking careers from urban, suburban, and rural communities, recognizing that diverse cultural and artistic expressions are crucial for equitable and vibrant public spaces. A key focus of this grant is equity. NEFA acknowledges that various barriers, including race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, can limit access to professional development. Therefore, the Public Art Learning Fund actively prioritizes equity in its funding decisions. This may include, but is not limited to, prioritizing artists who self-identify as Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and/or those who are rooted in rural communities, aligning with NEFA's theory of change that targeted support can address systemic inequities and build a more inclusive artistic landscape. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and support opportunities taking place between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Eligible applicants must also have a Creative Ground profile, and the proposed professional development must directly relate to strengthening their public art practice and occur within the grant period. These measurable results, such as the number of artists served and the nature of their professional development, contribute to NEFA's broader strategic aim of fostering a more equitable and sustainable public art ecosystem in New England.

The Bliss, Gross, Horowitz Fund, established at the Rhode Island Foundation, is dedicated to supporting charitable Jewish community organizations that serve the greater Providence area. This fund aligns with the foundation's broader mission to enhance community well-being by specifically addressing the needs and fostering the culture of the Jewish community within the region. The grant program's overview emphasizes a commitment to strengthening Jewish life while also promoting connections and understanding with the wider Rhode Island population. The target beneficiaries for this grant are primarily Jewish community organizations located in and serving the greater Providence area, with an overarching goal to impact both the Jewish community and all Rhode Islanders. Impact goals include fostering connections between the Jewish community and other Rhode Islanders, deepening understanding of Jewish life and culture, providing essential human needs, and supporting the organizational development of Jewish institutions. Projects must be non-sectarian and reach beyond an institution's core constituency, highlighting a focus on broad community benefit. The program prioritizes projects that develop connections between the Jewish community and all Rhode Islanders through community service, those that deepen understanding of Jewish life and culture through scholarship and historic preservation, initiatives that provide basic human needs (food, clothing, housing, prescription assistance), and efforts supporting organizational development such as strategic planning, board development, and program evaluation. Capacity building requests require a scope of work. Capital requests are explicitly not considered, focusing resources on programmatic and organizational development. Expected outcomes include clearly stated goals, objectives, and measurable results from funded proposals. The foundation anticipates that successful organizations will demonstrate the capacity to implement their proposals effectively and outline clear sustainability plans. Ultimately, the grants aim to result in stronger Jewish institutions, increased community understanding, improved provision of basic human needs, and more vibrant connections between the Jewish community and the broader Rhode Island population. The foundation's strategic priorities for this fund revolve around fostering community connections, preserving cultural heritage, addressing fundamental human needs, and enhancing the operational capabilities of Jewish organizations. Its theory of change appears to be that by investing in these key areas, it can strengthen the Jewish community in Providence, facilitate greater integration and understanding with the wider population, and ensure the long-term vitality and impact of Jewish institutions in the region. The emphasis on non-sectarian projects that reach beyond a core constituency further underscores a commitment to inclusive community building.

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.

The Child Health Research Awards Program by the Charles H. Hood Foundation aims to advance child health by providing grant support to newly independent faculty within New England-based pediatric researchers. The program offers two-year grants of $200,000 ($100,000 per year inclusive of 10% indirects) to researchers who are within five (PhD scientists) or seven (physician-scientists) years of employment following completion of training. The grants support hypothesis-driven clinical, basic science, public health, health services research, and epidemiology projects focused on child health. Application deadlines occur in the spring and fall of each year, with funding beginning every January 1st and July 1st. For complete eligibility requirements and application guidelines, visit CharlesHoodFoundation.org.

This program provides a no-cost, 20-week development opportunity for small business owners in Massachusetts, Maine, or Rhode Island to receive mentorship and resources to grow their businesses and positively impact their communities.

This funding opportunity supports doctoral-granting institutions in underfunded regions to establish and expand research centers that enhance STEM education and workforce development.

This funding opportunity supports Rhode Island nonprofit organizations focused on education, outreach, and research to combat doping in sports and detect performance-enhancing substances.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Rhode Island for activities that enhance their operational effectiveness, including strategic planning and anti-racism training, with a focus on those with smaller budgets or addressing critical needs.

The Island Foundation is accepting applications for a grant program, with a deadline of 10/23/2024, aimed at supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that focus on environmental conservation, social change in New Bedford, alternative education, and addressing inequality for womxn and girls.

This fellowship provides resources and training for local newsrooms in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts to enhance their climate and environmental reporting, particularly benefiting those serving marginalized communities.

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.

The Program for the Blind, offered by a foundation, focuses on providing grants to nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island that work in the realm of vision research, specifically targeting macular degeneration, and offering support services for the visually impaired. These services include guide dogs, summer camps for children with low-vision and blindness, among others. The grant prioritizes projects that aim towards the economic self-sufficiency of visually impaired individuals, innovative solutions for blindness or vision loss, and research-based solutions for conditions causing vision loss. Grants range from $10,000 to $75,000 for research and support services

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is offering the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects across the Northeast. The core mission of this program is to foster competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability. This aligns with a broader strategic objective of strengthening the regional dairy industry by enabling operations of all sizes to successfully launch and sustain their products in the marketplace. By focusing on start-up operations and tangible implementation, the NE-DBIC aims to facilitate direct economic impact and product innovation within the dairy sector. The program targets several key beneficiaries, including dairy farmers ready to begin processing, value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or business startups, and dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in their start-up phase. The impact goals are centered on developing these businesses, supporting their entry into the market, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of the Northeast dairy industry. By providing financial assistance for start-up operations, the program seeks to create new opportunities for dairy-related businesses and products. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible implementation rather than earlier stages like research and development, concept development, or initial planning. This indicates a strategic emphasis on getting products to market and establishing sustainable business models. Eligibility criteria further refine this focus, requiring applicants to be headquartered or based in the Northeast, demonstrate proof of concept, have a robust business plan, obtain necessary licenses, and show commitment from buyers or distributors by the end of the grant period. Expected outcomes include the successful launch of new value-added dairy products, the establishment of competitive and viable dairy processing businesses, and increased market access for Northeast dairy products. Measurable results would likely include the number of new businesses launched, the volume of new products brought to market, and the economic growth generated within the participating dairy sectors. The NE-DBIC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve direct investment in the operational start-up phase, aiming for a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to the successful commercialization and long-term sustainability of dairy processing ventures in the region.

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This program provides funding to early-career researchers in New England to support innovative studies that improve child health outcomes.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island that focus on addressing community priorities and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.