Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of February 20, 2018

The following is a selection of recent announcements gleaned from various federal sources and colleagues, and is provided to EDA’s Economic Development Integrators to increase our awareness of complementary resources for economic development. Special thanks to ETA and other federal partners for sharing content included below.

To see more resources, visit EDA’s EDI webpages at www.eda.gov\edi

Click here to view all weekly federal announcement posts.

Funding & Resource Announcements

Announcements of Federal Funding & Assistance Available:

 

Energy Department Announces $3M for High Performance Computing Collaborations for U.S. Manufacturers. Concept Papers due Mar 15.

View the solicitation and submission instructions for details. Concept paper applications for demonstration projects and follow-on projects are due by March 15, 2018.

 

DOE Financial Assistance Available to Support Minority Serving Institutions STEM Partnerships. Applications due Mar 19

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to announce the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program’s (MSIPP’s) interest in receiving applications for new or renewal grant financial assistance awards for Minority Serving Institutions Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Consortium Partnerships. Only applications for grant awards from HBCUs, HSIs, and TCU’s will be accepted for this solicitation. View details listed in grants.gov at: DE-FOA-0001841.

 

Treasury, IRS Guidance on Designating Opportunity Zones – Nominate Areas by Mar 21

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act established Opportunity Zones to spur private investment in distressed communities throughout the country. On February 8, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provided guidance to states, the District of Columbia, and any possession of the United States, on designating Opportunity Zones. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Governors or chief executive officers of States, D.C., and U.S. possessions will nominate areas within their jurisdictions to be Opportunity Zones. Investments in these areas will benefit from tax incentives. In order to designate Opportunity Zones, Governors and chief executive officers must make nominations by March 21st or request a single 30-day extension. Click here to read Full guidance.

 

DOE Prize Competition to Spur Onshore Manufacturing of Energy Technologies. Register to Apply by April 3

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the opening of the American Inventions Made Onshore (AIM Onshore) prize competition and the availability of DOE’s Build4Scale manufacturing training. To learn more about the AIM Onshore prize competition rules, eligibility, and deadlines, go to Build4Scale.org. Ask any questions by emailing [email protected]

 

NIST Accepting Applications for SBIR Phase I Awards. Due April 4.

2018-NIST-SBIR-01 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is now accepting proposals for its 2018 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards. The competitive program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federally funded research and development opportunities that have the potential for commercialization. Applications for Phase I will be accepted through April 4, 2018.

 

Phase I awardees receive up to $100,000. If accepted into Phase II, awardees may obtain funding up to $300,000 to continue their work. In Phase III, non-SBIR funds are used for technology commercialization.  Complete information is available on Grants.gov under opportunity number: 2018-NIST-SBIR-01. More information about the NIST SBIR program, including technology areas of interest for this round of SBIR projects, can be found on the program website.

 

USDA Announces Funding Opportunity for FY18 1890 Facilities Grants. Applications Due April 6

USDA-NIFA-EF47-006508  The US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests the submission of a new Five-Year Plan of Work for the 1890 FGP for fiscal years (FYs) 2018 through 2022 for the acquisition and improvement of agricultural and food sciences facilities and equipment, including libraries, so that the 1890 land-grant institutions may participate fully in the development of human capital in the food, agricultural, natural resource and human (FANH) sciences. Applications due by 5 p.m. ET on April 6, 2018. Program details available here: 1890 Facilities Grants Program

 

ARC Invites Proposals for FY18 POWER Grants. Apply by May 1.

The Appalachian Regional Commission has issued an RFP for its Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative, for communities affected by job loss in the coal mining industry. The POWER FY18 grant competition will be structured in two cycles: Cycle 1 deadline: May 1, 2018.; Cycle 2 deadline: July 27, 2018. Up to 70% of available POWER FY18 funds will be awarded in Cycle 1. For more information visit: https://www.arc.gov/images/grantsandfunding/POWER2018/RFP/POWER-RFP-2018.pdf

 

NASA Invites Research Proposals on Disaster Risk Reduction and Response –Due June 14

NNH18ZDA001N-DISASTERS The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) announces the release of its annual NASA Research Announcement (NRA), Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) – 2018. ROSES is an omnibus NRA, with many individual program elements, each with its own due dates and topics. All together these cover the wide range of basic and applied supporting research and technology in space and Earth sciences supported by SMD.

 

The ROSES-2018 NRA is available at http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2018

Visit NASA’s NSPIRES page for an overview of Earth Science Research Opportunities including in Disaster Risk Reduction and Response.

 

Reminder of Federal Funding Opportunities Closing Soon:  

Below is a list of previously highlighted funding opportunities that are still open. Enter the Opportunity Number in Grants.gov to see announcement details. You can also search Grants.gov for a full list of current federal opportunities, including areas not listed below.

 

Opportunity Number Opportunity Title Agency Posted Date Close Date
NSF 18-520 Smart and Connected Communities NSF 11/29/2017 02/28/2018
 

CDFI-2018-NACA

 Fiscal Year 2018 NACA (Native American CDFI and TA) Program USDOT-CDFI 01/31/2018 03/02/2018
CDFI-2018-FATA Fiscal Year 2018 CDFI Program USDOT-CDFI 01/30/2018 03/02/2018
USDA-NIFA-SBIR-006428 Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase II USDA-NIFA 12/22/2017 03/08/201
A-EE-18-04 Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 4 EPA 01/12/2018 03/15/2018
EPA-OCFO-OEE-18-02 Tribal Support for E-Enterprise for the Environment EPA 01/31/2018 03/16/2018
DE-FOA-0001841 Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program DOE-NNSA 02/06/2018 03/19/2018
2018-NIST-SBIR-01 FY 2018 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program DOC-NIST 01/18/2018 04/04/2018
USDA-NIFA-EF47-006508 1890 Facilities Grants Program USDA-NIFA 02/06/2018 04/06/2018
2018NEA01CA NEA Challenge America, FY2019 NEA 12/05/2017 04/12/2018
NOAA-NMFS-HCOP-2018-2005502 NOAA Coastal Resilience Grants Program (FY 2018) DOC 01/24/2018 05/07/2018
N00014-18-S-F005 FY 2018 FOA for DOD’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) Manufacturing Engineering Education Program DOD-ONR 01/12/2018 05/16/201
NNH18ZDA001N-DISASTERS ROSES 2018: Earth Science Applications: Disaster Risk Reduction and Response NASA-HQ 02/15/2018 06/14/2018

Public Meetings, Events and Training

Opportunity Zones – Recording of CDFA Webcast Now Available

Follow the link below to view a recording of CDFA’s February 15, 2018 presentation: Understanding the Investing in Opportunity Act.>>> View Recording and Presentation

For questions or comments concerning this event, and to see up to date information on future webinars and related opportunities, visit. CDFA website at www.cdfa.net.

SBA Presents Six-Part Webinar Series on the HUBZone Program

On February 7, SBA began a series of webinars to help small businesses navigate its Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone program, which helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to government contracting opportunities. Webinars address several HUBZone topics, including:

  • Continued HUBZone Compliance:  How to Maintain Your HUBZone Certification
    February 21 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST
    During this webinar, you will learn how to remain compliant to reap the benefits of your investment. Click on thislink 10 minutes before the webinar begins.
  • Understanding How HUBZones are Designated
    March 7 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST
    During this webinar, you will learn how areas become designated as HUBZones. Link to the webinar will be posted soon.

Register for webinars and find more information on SBA’s HUBZone website.  All webinars will be archived on SBA’s YouTube channel.

 

Feb 22 Webinar: Investing in America’s Workforce – How Employers Create Good Jobs to Maintain Competitive Advantage

This webinar is the first in a series exploring strategies for improving job quality and outcomes for workers and businesses presented by the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, the Aspen Institute, the Good Companies, Good Jobs Initiative at the Sloan School of Management, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Registration at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/577/24162

 

Begins Feb 26 – Four-part Webinar Series on Strengthening Partnerships for the Manufacturing Workforce

The Dept. of Education’s OCTAE and Safal Partners are hosting a series of conversations on improving the education-to-workforce pipeline with leaders in manufacturing partnerships. Conversations begin at 12:15 PM ET on the following dates:

  • February 26, 2018 – Vertical Integration in Your Manufacturing Partnership. Register Here
  • March 5, 2018 – Telling Your Partnership’s Story. Register Here
  • March 12, 2018 – Managing Your Partnership Tensions.  Register Here
  • March 19, 2018 – Keeping Your Partners Engaged. Register Here

 

Feb 28 – Webinar On Career Pathways Resources Avail at SkillsCommons.org

The webinar is offered through SkillsCommons.org – a free and open digital library of workforce training resources, produced by grantees of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) program, a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. This webinar series begins with the topic: Explore The Industry Expert to Expert Instructor IMPACTcommunity. Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Time: 3:00 PM-4:00 PM ET

Visit www.SkillsCommons.org for details on joining this webinar.

 

Feb 28 – DOE Webinar – Office of Indian Energy Policies and Programs

February 28, 1 PM (ET) – Steps Toward Your Tribal Community Energy Future

In this webinar, tribal leaders and community members will learn how to develop a community energy plan, including an overview of the five-step project development process developed by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the Office of Indian Energy. Register

 

Mar 1 – ARC Webinar on Match Requirements for FY18 POWER Grants

The Appalachian Regional Commission is offering a webinar to help applicants understand requirements for its current FY18 POWER Grants program. Every funding proposal submitted to ARC, including those made through the POWER Initiative, requires a financial match. This webinar will discuss ARC’s match requisites and how to meet them.

  • Finding the Right Match to Meet the 2018 POWER RFP Match Requirements

Thursday, March 1, 11:00 a.m. ET
Register at: https://www.arc.gov/funding/2018POWERWebinarSeries.asp

 

Mar 13-15 Conference – Department of Energy to Host 2018 ARPA-E Summit at National Harbor MD

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) will host its ninth annual Energy Innovation Summit from March 13-15, 2018 in National Harbor, MD. The Summit encourages leaders from industry, government, and academia to build partnerships that shape the direction of public-private cooperation in energy technology. For more information and to register for the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit, please visit here.

 

March 18-21 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference (Miami, FL)

The 2018 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference is sponsored by the Federal Reserve Banks of San Francisco, Atlanta, and Chicago, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. This year’s theme is:  Aligning to Build Resilient & Inclusive Communities. Learn more and register at: https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/events/2018/march/2018-national-interagency-community-reinvestment-conference/

 

March 21 NADO Training Workshop on CEDS (Arlington VA)

The workshop will be held at the Marriott Crystal Gateway , 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Please e-mail Program Manager Brett Schwartz at [email protected] with any questions.

 

UEDA Announces October 21 – 24 Annual Summit theme: “Disruptive Economic Development – Higher Education Ecosystems”

The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) Annual Summit will be held this year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Click here to learn More …

Reports, Tools and Data

FHWA Posts Updated Guides for Transportation Planning, Extreme Weather Resiliency, and Coordinating with Renewal Energy Generation.

The following documents have recently been updated and are now available on the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s Office of Planning, Environment and Realty

“What’s New” webpage:

Disaster Recovery Resources & Info

Primary site for Disaster Recovery Assistance: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Funding Assistance for Recovery Efforts:

NIH RFA: Research on Health Risk and Resilience after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Applications Due April 16

RFA-MD-18-006 The purpose of this initiative is to support time-sensitive research on risk and resilience factors related to short and long-term health outcomes following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Applicant organizations must be U.S. organizations physically located in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. This initiative will use a shortened submission timeline with expedited peer review, council concurrence and award issuance. The entire cycle, from submission to award, is expected to be within 3-4 months. Application deadline is April 16. Following this link for more info: Apply Now

Funding Opportunity for Gulf Coast States Recovering from Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (AL, FL, LA, MS, TX). Deadline April 30.

Member agencies and states of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) may submit applications under the RESTORE ACT, to fund activities to enhance collaboration, coordination, public engagement, and use of best available science. Details are available at: https://www.restorethegulf.gov/sites/default/files/GO-RES_20180124_NOFA_CPS.pdf. Applications for project funding will be accepted until April 30, 2018

 

Updates on FEMA Response in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

 

Where to Find Federal Disaster Declarations

  • Is your home, business or community included in a federally declared emergency or disaster area? You can find the latest federal emergency and disaster declarations, as well as prior declarations for other areas, on FEMA’s disaster declarations webpage.

Amended Declarations

Existing Declarations may be subsequently amended to expand covered areas, provide notification that an incident has been closed, or make other necessary changes.

These are posted in the Federal Register here: https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-emergency-management-agency#documents

Economic Recovery Support

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