This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) seeks research projects to address priorities in the following areas: the cost-effective deployment of EV charging for those without easy home charging; innovative solutions to improve mobility options for underserved communities; community engagement to accelerate clean transportation options in underserved communities; batteries and electrification; materials technologies; mobility system supporting public transportation; advanced vehicle charging solutions, dimethyl ether engine for off-road applications, hydrogen combustion engines, to improve fuel economy and reduce GHG emissions with the goals of carbon pollution free electricity by 2035 and net-zero of GHG emissions by 2050.

This Ride and Drive Electric FOA seeks applications to address discrete barriers to
a future where everyone can ride and drive electric. Specifically, this FOA will
directly advance the goal of building a national network of EV chargers for all
Americans by supporting EV charging reliability, resiliency, equity, and workforce
development. Topics include:

1. Enhancing EV Charging Resiliency
2. Community-Driven Models for Electric Vehicle Charging Deployment
3. Workforce Development
4. Increasing Commercial Capacity for Testing and Certification of High-Power Electric
   Vehicle Chargers
5. Validating Public EV Charging Infrastructure Real-World Performance and Reliability

Proposals contemplated under this FOA will be submitted by nonprofit 501(c)(3) applicants interested in serving as “Prime recipients” to assemble, post-award, a portfolio of nonprofit buildings owned and operated by 501(c)(3) organizations in need of energy efficiency upgrades. Prioritization will be given to applicants proposing to assemble portfolios that will achieve significant energy and cost savings; will reduce emissions; have an effective plan for evaluation, measurement, and verification of energy savings; demonstrate a plan for prioritizing the financial need of subrecipients; and align with the Justice40initiative goals. Applicants are encouraged to articulate a plan for recruiting building energy efficiency projects that meet or exceed the above priorities on a portfolio basis.

This $4.75 million funding opportunity that will create one or more university-led Centers of Excellence to increase offshore wind expertise at U.S. universities; develop partnerships to address key offshore wind development challenges; and educate the next generation of offshore wind experts in the United States. The Centers of Excellence will catalyze innovative research, educational programming, and stakeholder engagement to address regional and technological challenges within the U.S. offshore wind sector. The Centers will establish strong cross-sector partnerships to identify and conduct critical, multi-disciplinary research that can address key offshore wind energy technology and deployment challenges.

This topic area will provide up to $10 million to support a community-led tidal and/or current energy planning and development project in the United States. Alongside a project developer, community members will inform the technology design and development process and drive community engagement and education, ensuring appropriate awareness and consideration of the needs and priorities of those directly and indirectly affected. The goal is to create a collaborative partnership between the developer and community to ensure local energy goals align with proposed technologies and to prioritize the reliable installation, operation, and maintenance of technologies in challenging geographies with limited resources.

This topic area will provide up to $35 million to support the development of a pilot tidal and/or current technology demonstration site in state waters. Projects will develop plans for a tidal and/or current demonstration site; engage with Tribal, local, state, labor, and regulatory parties; build local commercial and supply chain relationships; develop needed infrastructure at the site; and install 1 to 5 megawatts of tidal and/or current turbine capacity at the site.

The Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program helps rural Americans transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. By reducing air and water pollution, New ERA funding improves health outcomes and lower energy costs for people in rural communities. A Letter of Interest must be submitted by August 31. The New ERA program is available only to rural electric cooperatives, including:

• Existing or former USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers
• Borrowers of the former Rural Electrification Administration
• Rural electric cooperatives that serve predominantly rural areas
• Wholly or jointly owned subsidiaries of rural electric cooperatives

Designed to recognize and address the distinct energy challenges faced by rural communities, this funding aims to increase energy affordability and promote climate resilience in areas with fewer than 10,000 people by supporting projects with a dollar amount of $500,000 to $5 million.

By participating in the competition, schools and students connect with wind energy experts and industry contacts, enhancing schools’ curriculum offerings and strengthening students’ professional networks. This competition invites interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate and graduate students to:

• Design, build, and present a unique, wind-driven power system based on market research and test the wind turbine in an on-site wind tunnel.
• Research wind resource data, transmission infrastructure, and environmental factors to create a site plan and financial analysis for a hypothetical wind farm.
• Partner with wind industry professionals, raise awareness of wind energy in their communities, and work with local media to promote their team’s accomplishments.

The SBIR Ignite Catalyst Program is designed to help founders at any stage learn more about and prepare to apply for SBIR Ignite funding. Between now and May 15, founders new to NASA and those in later startup stages can apply to join key events and a digital community that will prepare them to participate in the SBIR Ignite program while building their NASA networks and knowledge.

• The NASA Hybrid Electric Power for Drones Event – June 15 | 2023 AIAA Aviation Forum / San Diego, CA

• The NASA Low Earth Orbit Economies Event – June 29   |   Culver City or Los Angeles, CA 

All applicants (who can attend in person or virtually) can join general admission sessions, including expert panel discussions and networking events. Ten applicants at each event will be selected to talk about their technology one-on-one at the event with NASA subject matter experts, venture investors, government officials, regulatory experts, and communications and marketing strategists.

The Build America Bureau is issuing this NOFO to solicit applications from eligible parties for $24 million in Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) grants. RIA grants assist entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for the accelerated development of a project that is eligible for funding under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Credit Program.

The FHWA is hereby accepting applications to result in the award of new grants, under the “Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program.” This NOFO will result in the distribution of up to $160 million, which represents the combined amounts authorized for this program for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The RTEPF Grant Program is a new discretionary grants program aimed at funding projects that reduce port-related emissions from idling trucks, including the advancement of port electrification and improvements in port operations efficiency.