Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of March 5, 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.

Also visit the following links on our updated EDI webpages at www.eda.gov/edi for additional information about federal resources that are available to support comprehensive regional economic development strategies, including:

Click here to view all weekly federal announcement posts.

Funding & Resource Announcements

Announcements of Federal Funding & Assistance Available:

 

DOE 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 Prize Competition to Spur Onshore Manufacturing of Energy Technologies. Register 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]

 

NEW: EPA Announces TA and Training Grants to Assist Businesses/Facilities with Pollution Prevention. Due April 26

EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-001 EPA is announcing a grant competition to fund two-year Pollution Prevention assistance agreements for projects expected to be performed in each EPA region that provide technical assistance and/or training to businesses/facilities to help them adopt source reduction approaches (also known as “pollution prevention” or “P2”). P2 means reducing or eliminating pollutants from entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. In keeping with the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, EPA is encouraging P2 because implementing these approaches can result in reductions in toxic pollutants, the use of water, energy and other raw materials, while also lowering business costs. For this current round of grants, EPA is putting additional emphasis on documenting and sharing the P2 best practices and innovations identified and developed through these grants so that others can replicate these approaches and outcomes.

Link to Additional Information: FY 2018 – FY 2019 Pollution Prevention Grant 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

 

NEW National Park Service Announces Grants to Preserve and Support HBCU Facilities. Due May 1.

P18AS00071.  National Park Service established the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Preservation grant program to document, preserve, and stabilize structures on HBCU campuses. The HBCU grant program exists to repair historic structures on campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places either individually or as contributing to a National Register historic district. Projects must meet major program selection criteria and all work must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. Applications are due by 11:59 pm ET on May 1, 2018.

Link to Additional Information on grants.gov:  P18AS00071

 

NEW DOI Bureau of Reclamation Announces Grants Avail for Desalination and Water Purification Research Program. Applications Due May 1.

BOR-DO-18-F002 The Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation’s Desalination and Water Purification Research Program (DWPR) works with Reclamation researchers and partners to develop more innovative, cost-effective, and technologically efficient ways to desalinate or treat water. This Funding Opportunity Announcement’s (FOA) objective is to invite private industry, universities, water utilities, and other research sponsors to submit proposals to cost share laboratory scale and pilot scale projects that address DWPR program goals and objectives. Funding Group I: Laboratory scale projects are typically bench scale studies involving small flow rates (less than 2 gallons per minute). They are used to determine the viability of a novel process, new materials, or process modifications. Research at this stage often involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty. Funding Group II: Pilot scale projects test a novel process at a sufficiently large scale to determine the technical, practical, and economic viability of the process and are generally preceded by laboratory studies (funded previously by DWPR or others) that demonstrate that the technology works. Reclamation anticipates awarding up to $1,200,000 for projects funded under this FOA. Funding Group I: Laboratory Scale projects. Up to $150,000 per applicant Funding Group II: Pilot Scale projects. Up to $200,000 per applicant per year, for a total of up to $400,000 over two years.

Applications are due May 1, 2018, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). View link for more information: BOR-DO-18-F002

 

NEW National Park Service Announces Grants Available for Tribal Heritage Projects. Due May 11.

P18AS00081These grants assist Indian Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations in protecting and promoting their unique cultural heritage and traditions. From the beginning, the program has been shaped by Indian tribes. It focuses heavily on what they are most concerned about protecting: Traditional skills, oral history, plant and animal species important in tradition, sacred and historic places, and the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices.

This funding opportunity is limited to Federally-recognized Tribes, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations, as defined by 54 USC § 300300. Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded is 15, with an estimated range of $15,000.00 to $50,000.00 of funding anticipated for each award. Non-Federal cost share is not required for this agreement. Application Due Date: May 11, 2018, 11:59pm, EST

View the announcement for more information: P18AS00081

 

NEW NSF Invites Proposals for Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE)

NSF 17-142.  NSF’s The goal of the IUSE Program is to catalyze colleges and universities and their faculties to provide highly effective, evidence-based teaching and learning experiences for their undergraduate students taking STEM courses Toward these ends the program features two tracks: (1) Engaged Student Learning and (2) Institutional and Community Transformation. Two tiers of projects exist within each track: (i) Exploration and Design and (ii) Development and Implementation.

Exploration and Design Development and Implementation
Engaged Student Learning Up to $300K, for up to 3 years Level 1: Up to $600K, for up to 3 years       Level 2: $601K-$2M, for up to 5 years
Institutional and Community Transformation Up to $300K, for up to 3 years Up to $3M, for up to 5 years

Principal Investigators are encouraged to consider the value of the project from the perspective of the end users, as well as the relationships, partners, and structures which would eventually be needed to sustain the improvement on a wide scale.

FAQ & Webinars for More Information:  

  • For more information, and to see abstracts of current awards, please visit: http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505082
  • The Division of Undergraduate Education has prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) available at NSF 17-142. Parties interested in submitting a proposal to the IUSE Exploration and Design (E&D) or Development and Implementation (D&I) programs are strongly encouraged to view the Q&A Webinar; join a session on the dates and times listed  here.

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
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
EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-001 FY 2018 – FY 2019 Pollution Prevention Grant Program EPA 03/01/2018 04/26/2018
P18AS00071 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Grant Program DOI-NPS 02/28/2018 05/01/2018
BOR-DO-18-F002 Desalination and Water Purification Research Program for Fiscal Year 2018 DOI-BOR 02/27/2018 05/01/2018
NOAA-NMFS-HCOP-2018-2005502 NOAA Coastal Resilience Grants Program (FY 2018) DOC 01/24/2018 05/07/2018
P18AS00081 Historic Preservation Fund Grants-in-Aid: Tribal Heritage Grants DOI-NPS 03/01/2018 05/11/2018
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

NEW March 7 Webinar – Linking Rural Youth to Better Economic Futures

March 7th 12:00-1:30 EST

Click here to Register to Watch

Hosted by: The Aspen Institute, Washington DC.

This webinar continues the America’s Rural Opportunity series of panel conversations that invite policymakers, economic and community development practitioners, and business and philanthropic leaders to engage in real dialogue around advancing a rural opportunity agenda. America’s Rural Opportunity (ARO) is co-sponsored by the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group (CSG) and the Rural Development Innovation Group. Learn more about the series and watch videos from previous events.

 

March 7 SBA Webinar – How HUBZones Are Designated

On February 7, SBA began a series of webinars on its Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone program, which helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to government contracting opportunities. Next topic is:

  • Understanding How HUBZones are Designated
    March 7 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST

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

March 12 & 19th –  Webinar Series on Strengthening Partnerships for the Manufacturing Workforce Continues

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. Two topics remain as shown below. Conversations begin at 12:15 PM ET on the following dates:

  • March 12, 2018 – Managing Your Partnership Tensions.  Register Here
  • March 19, 2018 – Keeping Your Partners Engaged. Register Here

 

Begins March 20 – USDA Webinars on Summer Meals Program

Wholesome summer meals are critical to the health and well-being of our children. Join us for our 2018 Summer Meals Webinars to learn more about this important USDA program. Click on each link to register for the specific webinar that interests you:

SBA Begins 2018 SBIR Road Tour on April 16

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced its 2018 road tour connecting entrepreneurs with next generation R&D ideas to early stage funding led by the SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. Each stop in the 18-state road tour will be hosted by a local organization, and program managers from the 11 participating federal agencies will conduct one-on-one meetings with attendees, take part in targeted panels, and share insights into how their agencies make funding decisions. The SBIR/STTR programs provide $2.5 billion in early stage funding to small businesses each year in a wide variety of technology areas such as unmanned systems, advanced materials, health, cybersecurity and defense.  The SBIR/STTR programs execute over 4,000 new awards annually. The national road tour schedule for 2018:

  • April 16-20 – The Southern Tour, with stops in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Huntsville, Alabama; Little Rock, Arkansas; Jackson, Mississippi; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
  • June 18-22 – The Eastern Tour, with stops in Rochester, New York; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Columbus, Ohio; Charleston, West Virginia; and Durham, North Carolina.
  • July 17-19 – The Pacific Northwest Tour, with stops in Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Anchorage, Alaska.
  • August 20-24 – the New England Tour, with stops in Wilmington, Delaware; New Haven, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Portland, Maine.

Small technology firms, innovators, scientists or researchers seeking more information on the SBIR Road Tour, including a schedule of stops and participating agencies should visit: www.sbirroadtour.com.

 

Other Conferences and Events of Note:

·         DOE Hosts 2018 ARPA-E Summit, Mar 13-15 (National Harbor MD)

Register here.

·         National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference – Mar 18-21 (Miami, FL)

Learn more and register here

·         NADO Training Workshop on CEDS – March 21 (Arlington VA)

Please e-mail Program Manager Brett Schwartz at [email protected] with any questions.

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

Click here to learn More …

Reports, Tools and Data

EDA Integration Tools and Resources Available Online

Check out new content recently posted to EDA’s webpages for Economic Development Integration, at www.eda.gov/edi, that can help communities and regions find and access a wide array of federal resources for economic development. Visit the following pages for more information about:

Includes our excel based Matrix of Federal Economic Development Resources

If you have suggestions or updates to any of the information you see on these pages, please contact the EDI HQ team at [email protected].

NEW Federal Agency Priority Goals and Strategic Plans Available on Performance.gov

Excerpted from Government Executive, Feb 28, 2018 :

As required by the GPRA Modernization Act, the Trump administration earlier this month posted its first set of agency strategic plans and priority goals. The goals [are] described on the performance.gov website. Documents on the website offer a blueprint of the Trump administration’s priorities. There are links to agencies’ four-year strategic plans and objectives for 2018 through 2022, and two-year agency priority goals for 2018 through 2019. There’s also a summary table of agency strategic plans (of the 23 major agencies, six are missing plans); and a summary table of agency priority goals (minus those of the Energy and Health and Human Services departments). Read more HERE

 

 

NEW NEA and BEA Releasing Info on Economic Value of Arts and Cultural Production

From NEA’s ArtMatters Newsletter, February 2018

Did you know that Louisiana is a national leader—behind only California and New York—of movie/film production? Or that North Dakota is the site of much cultural-facility construction? These are some of the most recent findings from an initiative launched five years ago by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to track the annual economic value of arts and cultural production.

On March 6, the NEA and BEA will publish data showing the value added by arts and culture to the gross state product (GSP) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. (Last year, the NEA and BEA released state-level arts employment and compensation figures.) As for trend lines, Washington State, Utah, Nevada, Louisiana, and Virginia are the top-five states with the fastest-growing arts economies.

 

Visit the NEA website at https://www.arts.gov/ for more information about this forthcoming report.

 

Treasury, IRS Guidance on Designating Opportunity Zones

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. Governors and chief executive officers must make nominations by March 21st or request a single 30-day extension. Click here for Full guidance.

The following information is also available at the CDFI Fund webpage for Opportunity Zones:

Opportunity Zones Information Resource, with sortable lists by State of all census tracts eligible for designation as a Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ).

For a map of all census tracts eligible for designation as a QOZ, click here.

For questions on the Opportunity Zone nomination and designation process:

Phone: (202) 653-0406

E-mail: [email protected]

 

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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