Funding Opportunities

The SeedMoney Challenge is a group crowdfunding competition open to any public food garden project located anywhere in the world. Participating projects include youth gardens, community gardens, community farms and food bank gardens. Participants keep 100% of what they raise and compete for challenge grants of $100 to $1000. The more funds a project raises, the larger the grant it qualifies to receive.

We offer four types of grants. By entering the SeedMoney Challenge, a project will automatically be considered for any and all grants for which it qualifies based on its performance in the competition or its geographic location.

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development (EWD) focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for the AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development program areas to support:

1. professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals;

2. non-formal education that cultivates food and agricultural interest in youth;

3. workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges;

4. training of undergraduate students in research and extension;

5. fellowships for predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP). LFPP’s purpose is to support the development, coordination, and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer‐to‐consumer marketing to increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products. AMS will competitively award grants to eligible applicants for projects that meet the purpose of the grant program.

Approximately $10.5 million is available to fund applications under this solicitation. Applicants may select from one of four project types. Planning projects range from $25,000 to $100,000, while implementation projects range from $100,000 to $500,000. Two Turnkey (simplified) project types are available: Turnkey Marketing and Promotion projects and a new option for Turnkey Recruitment and Training projects. Each of the turnkey project options are available for a defined set of activities, with funding amounts ranging between $50,000 and $100,000. Eligible entities and activities remain the same as in previous years. LFPP is a part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP).

Assist in funding eligible projects for the purpose of improving the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports.

Projects within the boundary of a port, or outside the boundary of a port and directly related to port operations or to an intermodal connection to a port that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of:
• The loading and unloading of goods at a port;
• The movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port;
• Operational improvements at a port;
• Environmental and emissions mitigation measures; or
• Infrastructure that supports seafood and seafood-related businesses.

The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility then is responsible for repayment to USDA.

USDA provides grants to local utility organizations which use the funding to establish Revolving Loan Funds (RLF). Loans are made from the revolving loan funds to projects that will create or retain rural jobs. When the revolving loan fund is terminated, the grant is repaid to USDA.

The Agency anticipates the following maximum amounts per award: Loans - $2,000,000; Grants - $300,000.

ATTENTION (11/9/2023): This Funding Opportunity has been modified. Please see the full FOA Modification 0001 document on OCED Exchange for full details (https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaId44ebd317-32eb-436b-b…).

NOTE: All Concept Papers and Full Applications must be submitted via the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations Funding Opportunity Exchange by the posted deadlines (https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaId44ebd317-32eb-436b-b…).

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) is issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to support a portfolio of projects that demonstrate and validate reliable operations and financial value from a range of grid topologies with diverse energy resources and distributed energy systems (DES) ownership models.

In this FOA, OCED is seeking projects that can demonstrate that aggregated and coordinated distributed energy resources (DERs) can provide reliable, predictable grid services for a wide range of system configurations. The program goal is to build confidence that the design, control, and compensation approaches developed can be readily applied to other portions of the distribution grid and extended to other mixes of DERs, potentially extending the value of this approach to a more diverse set of communities, individuals, and entities as the distribution system continues to change.

This FOA makes available approximately $50 million in federal funds for transformative, at-scale projects within distribution systems that demonstrate approaches to integrate grid-edge renewable and distributed energy systems with broader energy networks. These projects will seek to demonstrate reliable operations and system-wide value in the context of distribution grids with high levels of variable renewable generation and flexible load assets.

This investment will allow the U.S. to develop more reliable, resilient, and cost-effective distribution grids and distributed energy systems while supporting climate action and providing benefits to communities and workers. It will also support the Biden Administration’s decarbonization goals of a 50-52% reduction in GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, a carbon-pollution-free power sector by 2035, and a net-zero GHG emissions economy by 2050.

This FOA has one Topic Area, which solicits proposals to demonstrate Distributed Energy Systems. The award size will be at least $10 million and no more than $25 million in federal funds. Each award is required to provide a minimum of 50% non-federal cost share. DOE will fund up to four (4) projects in this Topic Area. Projects are anticipated to have a maximum period of performance of 8 years.

ATTENTION (11/9/2023): This Funding Opportunity has been modified. Please see the full FOA Modification 0001 document on OCED Exchange for full details (https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaId44ebd317-32eb-436b-b…).

NOTE: All Concept Papers and Full Applications must be submitted via the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations Funding Opportunity Exchange by the posted deadlines (https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaId44ebd317-32eb-436b-b…).

The Rural eConnectivity Program (ReConnect) Program provides loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the program will fuel long-term economic development and opportunities in rural America.

The ReConnect Program is authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-141), which directs the program to be conducted under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq ). The policies and procedures for the ReConnect Program are codified in a final rule, 7 CFR part 1740, that was published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2021 (86 FR 11603).

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to announce that it is accepting applications for the ReConnect Program. In addition, the NOFO defines requirements that are determined at the time a funding announcement is published, as outlined in the regulation.

Beginning on March 22, 2024, applications can be submitted through the RUS on-line application portal until 11:59 a.m. Eastern on May 21, 2024. Applications will not be accepted after May 21, 2024 until a new application opportunity has been opened with the publication of an additional NOFO in the Federal Register .

The Agency encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities:

Assisting rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development programs and benefits from Rural Development funded projects.
Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.

All applicants should carefully review and prepare their applications according to instructions in the ReConnect Program Application Guide and program resources. This Program Guide and program resources can be found at https://www.usda.gov/reconnect/forms-and-resources. Applications must be submitted through the RUS on-line application system available on the program web site at https://www.usda.gov/reconnect/.

Please submit any ReConnect questions or comments using our Contact Us Form.

The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) provides awards to federally recognized1 Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions to promote high quality science (including sociology, psychology, anthropology, linguistics, economics and bioeconomics, statistics, and other social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences; computer science, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and cybersecurity), technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), STEM education, research, and outreach. Support is available to TCUP-eligible institutions (see the Additional Eligibility subsection of Section IV of this solicitation) for transformative capacity-building or community engagement projects through Instructional Capacity Excellence in TCUP Institutions (ICE-TI), Targeted STEM Infusion Projects (TSIP),TCUP for Secondary and Elementary Teachers in STEM (TSETS), TCU Enterprise Advancement Centers (TEA Centers), Cyberinfrastructure Health, Assistance, and Improvements (CHAI), and Preparing for TCUP Implementation (Pre-TI). Collaborations led by TCUP institutions that involve non-TCUP institutions of higher education are supported through TCUP Partnerships, with the participation of other NSF programs to support the work of non-TCUP institutions. Finally, research studies that further the scholarly activity of individual faculty members are supported through Small Grants for Research (SGR). Through the opportunities highlighted above, as well as collaborations with other National Science Foundation (NSF) divisions and directorates, and other organizations, TCUP aims to increase Native individuals' participation in STEM careers, improve the quality of STEM programs at TCUP-eligible institutions, and facilitate the development of a strong STEM enterprise in TCUP institutions' service areas.
TCUP supports transformative capacity-building, community engagement, or research projects at TCUP-eligible institutions through the following funding tracks: Instructional Capacity Excellence in TCUP Institutions (ICE-TI) projects provide support to design, implement, and assess comprehensive institutional improvements in STEM education and research capacity at TCUP-eligible institutions of higher education. By strengthening STEM education and STEM education research, successful projects will increase the number of STEM students and improve the quality of their preparation. ICE-TI projects create and/or adapt and assess innovative models and materials for teaching and learning in STEM, embody knowledge about how students learn most effectively in STEM teaching and learning activities, and bring STEM disciplinary advances into the undergraduate or graduate experience. The objective of this strand is to expand STEM degrees offered by TCUP-eligible institutions or significantly enhance instructional approaches. Targeted STEM Infusion Projects (TSIP) support the attainment of a short-term, well-defined goal to improve the quality of STEM education at an eligible institution. Targeted STEM Infusion Projects could, for example, enhance academic infrastructure by systematically adding traditional knowledge to the scope or content of a STEM course, updating curricula, modernizing laboratory research equipment, developing and delivering professional development for K-12 STEM educators, or improving the computational infrastructure. The objective of this strand is to expand STEM degrees or significantly enhance instructional approaches. TCUP for Secondary & Elementary Teachers in STEM (TSETS) supports in-service professional development in STEM disciplinary or STEM education content and/or research for K-12 STEM teachers in the relevant service area. Examples of project activities include, but are not limited to, professional development involving seminar series and engagement in STEM instruction and content during the academic year, structured series of summer intensive workshops and trainings, and summer research opportunities. The objective of this strand is to broaden the instructional capacity for STEM in the K-12 workforce and thereby to the entire community, and to build the capacity for STEM disciplinary or education research among participating educational professionals. TCU Enterprise Advancement Centers (TEA Centers) coalesce the STEM and/or STEM education expertise into a team, designed to support and promote the STEM goals, needs, aspirations, or interests of the chartering reservation or tribe(s). TEA Centers may address a critical tribal or community need or focus on a realm of research or design that is beyond the scope of individual research grants or that is of interest to multiple tribes. The objective of this strand is to build on the capacity developed through prior TCUP support and apply expertise to collaborations with communities in the institution’s service area, or nationally. The Cyberinfrastructure Health, Assistance, and Improvements (CHAI) strand supports projects at TCUP-eligible institutions of higher education to upgrade the cyberinfrastructure necessary to conduct, expand, manage and administer STEM programs of study, including research. The objective of this strand is to equip TCUP institutions to meet the demands of virtual instruction, advanced computing, and data science opportunities. Preparing for TCUP Implementation (Pre-TI) provides support for activities that prepare an institution for Implementation-level projects. Consequently, they are available only to TCUP-eligible institutions of higher education that have never received TCUP support, have not received TCUP support within the previous five years, or are embarking on a significantly novel STEM strategic plan. Examples of supported activities include completing an institutional assessment of its current STEM instructional capacity, or engaging in conversations necessary to formulate a shared vision of what that capacity should be and how to achieve it. Pre-TI awards can support staff and faculty release time, travel, stakeholder gatherings, and associated administrative costs. The objective of this strand is to conduct self-studies and formulate strategic plans for the development of STEM instructional programs of study. The TCUP Partnerships strand provides support for collaborations that will improve TCUP institutions' instructional and research capacity in STEM fields supported by NSF; attract, retain, and support TCUP students in internships and research endeavors deemed to be necessary for a complete curriculum offering; and engage partner universities to provide an academic grounding and a successful transition for students who wish to study or attain degrees in STEM fields supported by NSF. TCUP Partnerships broaden the number of scientific disciplines available to students at TCUP institution through collaborations with non-TCUP institutions. Active Pre-Engineering Education Collaboratives or Partnerships in Geoscience Education awards are not affected by this revision. The objective of this strand is the development, through instructional and research capacity-building, of academic and career pathways for TCUP students through supporting collaborative projects between and among TCUP and non-TCUP institutions. Interested teams of collaborators for which a TCUP institution serves as lead should contact the TCUP program directors. Support for non-TCUP partners must be obtained from other NSF programs, which follows the procedures of the prior Partnership strands. Small Grants for Research (SGR) strand support STEM or STEM Education faculty members at TCUP-eligible institutions to initiate or pursue research projects or programs that may include undergraduate or graduate student engagement. Awards are intended to help further the faculty member's research capability and effectiveness; improve research and teaching at his or her home institution; create and study new models and innovations in STEM teaching and learning; and enhance the understanding of diverse groups' participation in STEM education practices and interventions. International research or collaborations are strongly encouraged. TCUP students may seek support for international research opportunities under the guidance of a TCUP STEM or STEM education faculty member and an international research collaborator. These awards are particularly appropriate as a means of recruiting and retaining highly qualified scientists, engineers, and educators at TCUP-eligible institutions. The objective of this strand is to support faculty research and professional development that build research capacity at TCUP institutions.
[1] Executive Order 13021 defines Tribal Colleges and Universities ("tribal colleges") as those institutions cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), and other institutions that qualify for funding under the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978, (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as well as Navajo Community College as authorized in the Navajo Community College Assistance Act of 1978, Public Law 95-471, Title II (25 U.S.C. 640a note). The term "Alaska Native-serving institution" means an institution of higher education that is an eligible institution under section 1058(b) of the Higher Education Act; and that, at the time of submission, has an undergraduate enrollment that is at least 20 percent Alaska Native students. The term "Native Hawaiian-serving institution" means an institution of higher education that is an eligible institution under section 1058(b) of the Higher Education Act; and that, at the time of submission, has an undergraduate enrollment that is at least 10 percent Native Hawaiian students. Most TCUP-eligible institutions of higher education are two-year or community colleges. See the Who May Submit Proposals section in this solicitation for further details.

The Energy Auditor Training (EAT) Program will provide Grant funding to States for the purpose of training individuals to conduct energy audits, or surveys, of commercial and residential buildings. This program was established by Section 40503 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The goals of the program are to offer auditor training certifications that include informed curriculum and program design that aligns with current and future standards; inform or empower States with current, standardized framing of the education and training requirements for energy auditors; enlarge the pipeline of diverse talent by closing gaps in job access; address workforce inclusion deficiencies and improve disparities with underrepresented groups; connect auditor trainees to career opportunities that promote job quality and economic mobility; and inspire sustainability through intentional practices and partnerships that support infrastructure development and the long-term value of a clean energy workforce. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: In accordance with the BIL Section 40503, funding is only available to States, the District of Columbia, and United States territories that have a demonstrated need for assistance for training energy auditors. These eligible entities are referred to throughout this FOA as “States”. No other entity types, including Local Government and Tribes, may be considered for this funding. In accordance with 2 CFR Section 910.126 and DOE Program Rule 10 CFR Part 420, eligibility for these awards is restricted to State Energy Offices. FUNDING OVERVIEW: The BIL appropriated $40 million in funding to be issued through a competitive Grant program. DOE may issue one, multiple, or no awards. Individual awards may vary between $200,000 and a maximum of $2,000,000. DOE anticipates making approximately twenty (20) to thirty (30) awards under this FOA. In accordance with the BIL Section 40503(d)(1) the amount of a Grant awarded to an eligible State shall be determined by the Secretary, taking into account the population of the eligible State. DOE reserves the right to determine the final award amount of selected eligible States. COST MATCHING: Cost match is not required for these awards. DOE encourages states to consider how they could leverage philanthropic and private sector funding to advance their goals and amplify the impact of the BIL funding. To view the full FOA Document, visit https://infrastructure-exchange.energy.gov

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022: State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Competitive Grant Program: The State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants, also known as the Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) Program, seeks to accomplish three goals: (1) reduce the cost of training contractor employees by providing workforce development tools for contractors, their employees, and individuals including, but not limited to, subsidizing available training, testing certifications, and licenses for high-quality jobs; (2) provide testing and certifications of contractors trained and educated to install home energy efficiency and electrification technologies and deliver residential energy efficiency and electrification improvements; and (3) fund states to partner with nonprofit organizations to develop and implement a State sponsored workforce program that attracts and trains a diverse set of local workers to deliver the influx of new federally-funded energy efficiency and electrification programs—including the IRA-funded Home Efficiency Rebates Program, Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program (Home Energy Rebates Programs); and Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit. This program was established by Section 50123 of the Inflation Reduction Act. For this competitive program, DOE is making up to $40 million in TREC funds available to states, territories, and the District of Columbia to complement the previously announced TREC formula funding. Topic Area Description Topic Area 1: Training Small Contractor Firms State Energy Offices may use topic area one funding to train and certify small contractor firms and their employees to deliver energy efficiency and electrification improvements. DOE will fund States to support existing small contractor firms through training and certifications so that the contractor firm employees can deliver energy efficiency and electrification improvements eligible for rebates under the Home Efficiency Rebates Program or the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program. Topic Area 2: Innovative, Effective, and Equitable Workforce Development Programs State Energy Offices may use topic area two funding to implement innovative, effective, and equitable workforce development program models that deliver contractor training program curriculum. States can collaborate with nonprofit organizations to design/enhance and implement workforce development, training, certification, and employment programs that train, test, and certify underrepresented populations, new entrants to the workforce, youth ages 17-25, incumbent workers, displaced workers, and contractors to conduct home energy efficiency and electrification improvements under the Home Energy Rebates Programs. To view the full FOA Document and to register to apply for the FOA, go to Infrastructure eXCHANGE at https://infrastructure-exchange.energy.gov, the online application portal for the DOE Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP).