This funding opportunity solicits applications that support the EPA Sustainable Materials Management Program, for the benefit of States or communities within EPA Region 2 (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and eight Indian Nations).  Specifically, this grant addresses the following programmatic priorities: Sustainable Management of Food, and Sustainable Packaging.

EPA Region 2 is soliciting applications which address one or both of the two above-noted goals of our SMM program. Fundable projects must involve research, investigations, experiments, trainings, demonstrations, surveys, public education programs and/or studies that address strategies to reduce food and/or packaging waste, primarily through source reduction.

The Carbon Utilization Procurement Grants program will help offset 50% of the costs to states, local governments, and public utilities or agencies to procure and use products developed through the conversion of captured carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions. The commercial or industrial products to be procured and used under these grants must demonstrate a significant net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to incumbent products via a life cycle analysis (LCA). The LCAs are checked for conformance and approved by DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).

The Energy Future Grants (EFG) provides $27 million in financial and technical assistance to support local, state, and tribal government-led partnership efforts that will advance clean energy program innovation by developing and implementing plans that break new ground in three topic areas: 1) transportation; 2)
power sector; and 3) buildings.

EFG will provide support for at least 50 multijurisdictional teams. Teams will further partner with community benefit organizations to turn innovative ideas into solutions that address barriers to clean energy deployment. EFG solutions will provide measurable benefits to communities and support Justice 40, which directs 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to flow to disadvantaged communities.

The Department of Energy is soliciting applications for innovative long duration energy storage system (ESS) demonstration projects that advance a technology towards commercialization and validate its cost and performance in the field to the energy stakeholder community. These demonstrations will contribute data to the National Lab led Rapid Operational Validation Initiative (ROVI) in order to unlock insights about the performance of these systems that will accelerate the testing and validation process for emerging technologies.

The FOA contains three areas of interest based on eligible technology: Lithium Batteries, Flow Batteries, and Other Innovative Technologies, that will each be eligible for up to $5 million in federal funding available with 50% cost share provided by the applicant organizations.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency. Example activities include:

• Development of an energy efficiency and conservation strategy if one is not submitted with application
• Development of the energy efficiency and conservation elements of an energy-related plan such as a climate action plan or local or tribal government’s sustainability plan
• Expansion of an existing strategy to address new goals

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking for innovative back-up power solutions that will help critical facilities continue to operate during electrical outages. Winning solutions will be affordable, easy-to-use, and environmentally friendly power sources that can provide on-site power generation for critical facilities that provide essential services to communities across the United States. This Challenge is seeking to identify and catalyze existing cutting-edge technologies with a TRL of 6 or higher that can be used to continue essential facility operations in an event of a power failure or disruption lasting more than 36-hours.

In Stage 1 the judges will choose up to fifteen Stage 1 Finalists to advance to Stage 2.  During Stage 2, we will hold a live demonstration of your solution and a second judging process.

The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enable the application of research advancements from conception into the market. The STTR program aims to foster technology transfer through formal cooperative R&D between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. Topic areas include biofuels, rural and community development, natural resource conservation, aquaculture, plant production and protection engineering, small and mid-sized farms (sustainability and profitability) and more.

The purpose of the REAP TAG Program is to enable applicants to provide technical assistance to Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses applying to REAP, with priority for Applicants assisting distressed or disadvantaged communities and for Applicants pursuing projects using underutilized technologies or seeking grants under $20,000. REAP TAG funds can be used for a wide variety of activities including recruitment of Renewable Energy or energy efficiency projects, identification of electrical engineering services, preparation of REAP applications for Agency financial assistance, as well as preparing reports and assessments necessary to request financial assistance.

This program is specifically focused on conducting research, development and demonstrations (RD&D) to develop and implement replicable microgrid solutions for underserved and Indigenous communities in remote, rural, and islanded regions throughout the United States.

DOE’s Office of Electricity’s research partners will develop and demonstrate advanced microgrid-enabling technologies, including renewable generation and storage systems, multi-nodal small-scale high-voltage direct current, advanced demand-side management strategies, and microgrid control systems.  The FOA also includes opportunities to address non-technical barriers to deployment of microgrids in these communities, such as lack of local technical expertise and supply chain challenges.

The State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants (CTG)
program will provide States the ability to develop and implement a state workforce energy program that prepares workers to deliver energy efficiency, electrification, and clean energy improvements, including those covered under the Home Energy Performance-Based, Whole House Rebate Program (HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program (HEAR).

The goals of the program are to: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 and certifications.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. 3. 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 but not limited to the IRA-funded Home Energy Rebate programs.

NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals that support NOAA Ocean Exploration’s education priorities, which include increasing the diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the education program; and developing education resources to complement virtual and hybrid education delivery.

NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals that:  Connect NOAA Ocean Exploration’s exploration resources to the expanded delivery of  virtual and hybrid professional development experiences for educators; thus increasing   the opportunities to provide high quality education content and experiences to the public  about ocean exploration. Expand the available audience for NOAA Ocean Exploration  education content, in terms of quantity, diversity, and geographic location.  Invest in projects and partners that are leading STEM education programming for diverse  youth in middle school, high school, undergraduate, and/or community college to learn   about the ocean, develop or advance STEM skills, and increase awareness of ocean   science and exploration careers.  Invest in a future ocean workforce that is more representative of U.S. demographics by  funding projects that minimize barriers to entry and retention of diverse learners from communities historically marginalized from ocean science and exploration industries.