Federal Environment Grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)s Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil and Plant Science Division (NRCS SPSD), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purposes of supporting cooperative research in soil science and soil survey. The purpose of the 2024 Soil Survey Cooperative Research Proposals is to promote research that informs and improves soil survey. Each proposal must include significant collaboration with soil survey personnel (such as those at the National Soil Survey Center, MLRA Soil Survey or Regional offices). The proposals deliverables and their connection to soil survey must be clearly explained. Extra consideration will be given to proposals that include Dynamic Soil Survey research support, with close collaboration with National Soil Survey Center Research Soil Scientists. The work should have national or broad regional application to fill gaps in soil survey databases, provide new approaches to collecting or interpreting soil survey data, and/or address emerging issues in the national research priority areas.The FY24 research priorities were developed through meetings of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) Research Priorities Committee and in conjunction with NRCS and SPSD priorities. We expect to fund approximately up to $3,000,000 of cooperative research depending on funding availability. Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network CESU National Network. Proposals are requested for competitive consideration of awards for projects 2-3 years in duration. The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $50,000 and the estimated funding ceiling is $500,000.Proposal topics should address emerging issues within at least one of three nationally relevant areas of soil survey research:Dynamic Soil Properties (DSPs) and Soil Change Investigation of DSPs not currently accounted for in evaluations of soil change at decadal time scales. Assessments of DSPs for forest soils. Creation of digital soil mapping models for predicting DPSs through space and time.Methods of Soil Hydrology Development of new field and laboratory methods that could be added to soil survey. Expansion of existing methods for characterizing soil hydraulic properties (e.g., water retention, hydraulic conductivity), including those that can be gathered from existing soil survey data. Enhancing communication of hydrologic toolsets and data to product users, especially non-soil scientists.Expansion of Datasets Leveraging existing NRCS and non-NRCS datasets to expand the reach of soil survey (e.g., deeper depths, spatial gaps). Developing an online mapping tool or repository of soil survey projects, which could include major outcomes and generated datasets. Enhancing the compatibility of non-NRCS datasets (e.g., National Ecological Observatory Network, Molecular Observation Network, U.S. Geological Surveys National Geothermal Data System) with soil survey data.All proposals must include a data management plan and all data and deliverables must be made publicly available per USDA regulations - https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/dr- 1020-006.pdf.More information on NCSS regions including maps and contacts is available at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soil/contacts.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 8, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.The agency anticipates making selections by July 22, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling AmountsThe estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $50,000, and the estimated funding ceiling is $500,000. The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.Federal Financial Assistance TrainingThe funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/resources/federal-financial-assistance-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).

This grant encourages the development of innovative remote-operated technologies and autonomous vehicles to improve wildfire response on military lands, offering monetary prizes to participants from various sectors, including industry and academia.

The State of Hawai`i has established aggressive renewable energy goals, including potential offshore wind development, to reduce fossil fuel dependence. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) oversees the development of offshore renewable energy on the nations outer continental shelf (OCS) and is mandated to preserve historic and cultural resources that may be impacted by its approved actions. BOEM is required under multiple statutes (as referenced in the below Background section) to take into consideration the impacts of OCS activities on cultural resources and Traditional Cultural Places.The purpose of this study is to provide critical information to BOEM in support of its offshore historic preservation responsibilities. The project will have three primary components: 1) compile data from archival and secondary sources of known, reported, and potential traditional cultural landscapes and cultural resources near the islands of O`ahu and Moloka`i, specifically focusing on the Ka`iwi Channel; 2) compile and summarize appropriate ethnographic information from Native Hawaiian communities regarding types of traditional use areas and traditional cultural places that could be impacted by offshore development; and 3) refine or develop guidance documents that identify Best Practices and protocols for engaging with Native Hawaiian communities, respecting traditional Indigenous Knowledge and including appropriate selected elements of traditional knowledge within the NHPA and NEPA review processes.This information will support recent Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Indigenous Knowledge and other Federal efforts related to Indigenous Knowledge; is necessary under Section 106 of the NHPA, which requires that federal agencies must apply the National Register Criteria to places that may be affected by a federal undertaking; and will also be used to support reviews under NEPA and other federal laws.See related documents for questions and responses submitted after publishing.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative research between U.S. and Danish organizations to develop innovative mooring and anchoring technologies for floating offshore wind energy, with a focus on reducing costs and improving performance while engaging minority-serving institutions and considering environmental impacts.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to rural communities and nonprofit organizations for repairing and improving water infrastructure damaged by federally declared disasters in 2022.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that install and maintain technologies to intercept and remove marine debris, benefiting coastal habitats and marine resources.

This funding opportunity is designed to support universities, research institutions, and private sector organizations in developing advanced carbon capture technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power generation and industrial sources.

This grant provides funding to a wide range of organizations and individuals for projects that protect and restore wetlands and habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife across the United States.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that improve recycling systems or reduce food waste in communities across eight southeastern U.S. states.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that remove barriers to fish migration, benefiting local communities and ecosystems, particularly in underserved areas.

Management, Species, Harbor Porpoise, (RAM#FXSBA53247215-A), Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska - The objectives of this requirement are to (1) determine Harbor Porpoise presence in Knik Arm during the winter and (2) determine the presence of Harbor Porpoise in Knik Arm and the timing and extent of upstream movement of Harbor Porpoise in the Eagle River during summer and fall. See full Funding Opportunity Description in Section I.

This grant provides funding for projects that utilize aerial LiDAR technology to improve snowpack monitoring and water supply forecasts in the Western United States, targeting a variety of eligible applicants including governments, educational institutions, and non-profits.

This grant provides funding to state, Tribal, and local governments in the southeastern U.S. to develop and improve programs for wetland conservation and management.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and nonprofits in U.S. territories and freely associated states for infrastructure maintenance and resilience projects that enhance community development and disaster preparedness.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local, state, Tribal, and territorial governments, along with nonprofits and academic institutions, to develop clean energy projects and foster economic growth through regional partnerships.

This program provides funding to non-profit organizations to help low to moderate-income individuals in rural areas access affordable water well and wastewater systems where public services are unavailable.

The U.S. Embassy Libreville of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to support Gabonese communities through modest grants that would positively impact communities. Program Objectives: Self-Help projects must foster community self-reliance. Self-Help activities must have community participation and contribution -- volunteer time and labor, donated land, equipment and materials -- and the U.S. contribution must be on a one-time basis only. Self-Help activities should have a significant impact, benefiting the greatest number of people possible. Projects that directly benefit a limited number of people are discouraged. Self-Help activities must help improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level; Self-Help projects must also be viable and sustainable in terms of finance, personnel support (i.e. teachers for schoolrooms), and necessary expertise and services. Self-Help projects must also respect environmental norms for small projects. Self-Help activities must fall within the ability of the local community to implement. Activities that are too complex should be avoided.

This funding opportunity is designed to support higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and other eligible entities in establishing a coordination center to advance research on how our bodies sense and respond to internal signals, with a focus on improving mental health and overall wellness.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to early-career faculty at institutions with limited NIH funding to help them establish independent biomedical research programs and enhance student research experiences.

NIEHS invites applications for cooperative agreements to support the development of model programs for the training and education of workers engaged in activities related to hazardous materials and waste generation, removal, containment, transportation and emergency response within the Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons complex. The aim of this funding opportunity is to prevent work-related harm through safety and health training. The training programs consist of information and practical exercises with the objective of raising the knowledge of workers in protecting themselves and the community from being exposed to hazardous materials encountered during hazardous waste operations; facility decommissioning and decontamination; hazardous materials transportation; environmental restoration of contaminated facilities; or chemical emergency response. Currently, tens of thousands of DOE employees are required to complete safety and health training. The goal of this training is to help reduce the risk of workers being exposed during work activities to hazardous materials and hazardous waste products. The NIEHS/DOE Nuclear Worker Training Program enhances training capabilities at these sites.