RESOURCES AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: Week of May 25-29, 2020
RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Now Hiring!
The Fort Independence Tribe is seeking qualified individuals for the following positions:
- Environmental Director—Salary range: $45,760-72,000 Annually DOE
- Environmental Technician—Salary range: $12-16/hr DOE / Part-time
- Receptionist—Salary range: $12-15/hr DOE / Part-time
Positions listed have the following benefits: Life, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K Retirement Plan, Gym Membership, Cell Phone Stipend & Mileage Stipend. Call: 760-878-5160 or email: ata@fortindependence.com for job description and application. CLOSING DATE: Open until filled. First round of applications will be reviewed Monday, June 22, 2020 by 4:00 p.m.
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes
Dissecting the US Treasury Department’s Round 1 Allocations of CARES Act COVID‐19 Relief Funding for Tribal Governments
This study dissects the US Department of the Treasury’s formula for distributing first-round CARES Act funds to Indian Country. The Department has indicated that its formula is intended to allocate relief funds based on tribes’ populations, but the research team behind this report finds that Treasury has employed a population data series that produces arbitrary and capricious “over-” and “under-representations” of tribes’ enrolled citizens.
Read the Full Report Here
Indigenous Environmental Network’s COVID-19 Emergency Mutual Aid Fund
IEN has launched a COVID-19 Emergency Mutual Aid Fund to quickly mobilize resources to our frontline communities and groups that have a demonstrated need experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Community-based Indigenous peoples and organizations from the U.S. and Canada are eligible to apply. Small grants up to $2,000 are being offered to assist with either of the following three situations:
- Purchase of essential provisions: food, water, medication, diapers, cleaning supplies, pet food, etc.
- Support with transportation for essential needs and provisions, such as medical appointments and clinic/hospital visits, medication, groceries etc. This includes deliveries, gas money, local transport and getting a ride from your relatives, so long as everyone is practicing precautionary measures to avoid transmission of the virus. In some situations, this can also support getting/leaving home from long distances to care for family members as long as all legal guidelines around travel restrictions are recognized and “Stay in Place” mandates, curfews, etc. are observed.
- Home business slowdowns in sales and other cash flow difficulties (maybe your supplier is shut down, or a big order for an event is canceled). For this support “home business” is referring to things like quilting, regalia making, bead and quillwork, moccasin making, basket making, pottery, silversmithing, etc.
In line with the Principles of Respect and the Consciousness of Caring for our Relatives, IEN invites those in need, to apply for support. This is the link to the Application Form.
EPA Children’s Healthy Learning Environments Grant Initiative – $315 thousand
Applications Due: June 1, 2020
Eligible Entities: state or state agencies, local governments, city or township governments, county governments, and federally recognized tribes
The purpose of the Children’s Healthy Learning Environments Grant Initiative is to provide capacity building to address children’s environmental health in school and childcare settings. The Children’s Healthy Learning Environments Grant Initiative provides funding directly to organizations to support school- and/or childcare center-based capacity building projects that help school communities understand and address local environmental and public health issues that affect children. EPA anticipates awarding two grants of approximately $145,000 each for up to a two-year funding period. Grant applications should reflect multi-media and holistic approaches for reducing environmental exposures in schools and childcare settings through capacity building, trainings, and technical assistance. Proposals should also demonstrate a broad reach and collaborative problem-solving with appropriate partners. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
DOI BLM National Threatened and Endangered Species Funding Opportunity – $2 million
Application Due: June 01, 2020
Eligible Entities: City or township governments, State governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), special district governments, County governments
This funding opportunity is to work with partner organizations at a national level to assist with the conservation of various species, to include federally-listed, candidate and Bureau sensitive species across state boundaries. Conservation includes, but is not limited to, gaining knowledge about species and their habitats, providing for protection or management of species and their habitats, augmenting species, restoring, and enhancing rare species habitat. This program is in support of creating a conservation stewardship legacy second to only Teddy Roosevelt by providing an opportunity to strengthen state and local partnerships, implement priority species and habitat monitoring, support restoration activities that enhance habitat connectivity and resiliency, and enhances opportunities for volunteer service and youth engagement on public lands. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
Native American Agricultural Fund (NAAF) Request for Applications Open
Today we announce our 2020 Request for Applications (RFA), the second application cycle to date. Since NAAF was launched in 2018, our Board of Trustees and staff have taken steps to craft a strategy that can begin to realize the promise we knew was possible when NAAF was created. Agriculture across Indian Country is as diverse as our Native nations and we hope the applications for funding will reflect that diversity. Native farmers and ranchers are key to the success of Native food systems and diversification of our agriculture economies. We look forward to the next step on this journey. Even in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, we know that it is important to keep moving forward and ensure that Native farmers, ranchers, fishers and food champions are provided support. Prospective applicants are encouraged to view the RFA at NativeAmericanAgricultureFund.org/2020-RFA. The request for applications opened on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Eligible applicants must submit a complete application no later than Monday, June 1, 2020 by 11:59 pm CT. NAAF will provide flexibility for applicants with hardships applying due to COVID-19. Please visit our website, email or call for further details.
Grants are available to eligible grant recipients in the mission areas of business assistance, agricultural education, technical support and advocacy services. We are also accepting applications across four special emphasis areas listed below:
– Traditional Foods and Food Sovereignty
– Advocacy
– Agriculture Extension
– Youth (available in a separate application process)
Prospective applicants may register for informational RFA webinars at NativeAmericanAgricultureFund.org/grants-webinar. Technical assistance relating to the application process is available by emailing grants@NativeAmericanAgricultureFund.org or calling 479-445-6226.
Two New Funding Opportunities Available Through Engagement Opportunities in NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project for American Indian and Alaska Native STEM Engagement – NASA MAIANSE
This National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Research Announcement (NRA), entitled Engagement Opportunities in NASA STEM (EONS) – 2020, solicits proposals for competitive funding opportunities in support of the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) administered by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement. EONS 2020 is an omnibus announcement that includes a wide range of NASA science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Engagement opportunities for basic and applied science and technology research and education. Specific opportunities will be issued periodically throughout the year as Appendices to this solicitation with individual requirements and milestones. For more information regarding the following opportunities and scheduled information sessions, please visit the ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN NASA STEM (EONS-2020) page on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) website and click on ‘List of Open Program Elements’.
First Funding Opportunity: APPENDIX I: MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) Planning Grant
Proposals due: June 15, 2020
In support of NASA’s Artemis program, the MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) activity is established, to strengthen and develop the research capacity and infrastructure of U.S. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in areas of strategic importance and value to NASA’s mission and national priorities. Overall, M-STAR awards act as planning grants with the goals of promoting literacy in STEM and enhancing the capability of institutions to participate in NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) opportunities. Awards are up to $40k for a maximum duration of four months. For general inquiries, contact: NASAMSTAR@nasaprs.com.
Second Funding Opportunity: APPENDIX J: NASA MUREP INCLUDES Planning Grant
Proposals due: June 15, 2020
In response to the Federal STEM Education Strategic Plan, MUREP is working with the NSF to expand the NSF INCLUDES (Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discovers in Engineering and Science) National Network of partners. This NRA invites planning grant proposals to assist in the formulation and convening of MSI-led coalitions in support of broadening participation in engineering. This is a novel and strategic partnership initiative, enabling MSIs to assemble and lead coalitions comprised of multiple organizations, institutions and agencies. The planning grant enables applicants to prepare for response to a full solicitation, tentatively scheduled to be released in Fall 2020. Awards are up to $50k for a maximum duration of four months. For general inquiries, contact: NASAMUREP-INCLUDES@nasaprs.com.
EPA State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement Program (SEJCA) / COVID-19 Projects – $1 million
Applications Due: June 30, 2020
Eligible Entities: state governments, local governments, tribal governments
The purpose of this cooperative agreement program is to support and/or create model state activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health results in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks. These models should leverage or utilize existing resources or assets of state agencies to develop key tools and processes that integrate environmental justice considerations into state governments and government programs. The SEJCA program goals are to (1) achieve measurable and meaningful environmental and/or public health results in communities; (2) build broad and robust, results-oriented partnerships, particularly with community organizations within disproportionately impacted areas; (3) pilot activities in specific communities that create models, which can be expanded or replicated in other geographic areas; (4) reinforce connections to EPA regional EJ activities and priorities and, (5) strengthen the development and implementation of specific approaches to achieve environmental justice. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
DOI BOR Native American Affairs: Technical Assistance to Tribes for FY20 and FY21 – $1 million
Applications Due: October 28, 2020 for FY21
Eligible Entities: federally recognized tribes or tribal organizations of the 17 Western States identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902
The objective of this opportunity is to invite federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations to submit proposals for financial assistance for projects and activities that develop, manage, and protect tribal water and related resources. Through this opportunity, Reclamation provides funding for projects that increase water reliability consistent with sections 3 and 4 of the October 19, 2018, Presidential Memorandum on Promoting the Reliable Supply and Delivery of Water in the West. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
To view and/or receive ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program newsletter, Native Voices, click here!
Climate Change/Energy
DOE Seeking Partners to Expand Access to Community Solar
Registration is open to join the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP), a coalition of stakeholders working to expand access to affordable community solar to every American household by 2025. NCSP plans to accomplish this goal through a network infrastructure, technical assistance, and collaboration. Through this partnership, DOE will work to equip partners with the tools and information needed to design and implement successful community solar models. To learn more about and join NCSP, email community.solar@ee.doe.gov. View slides from the recent NCSP webinar on energy.gov and learn about upcoming webinars at the NSCP website.
DOE GFO Solar Energy Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2020 Funding Program – $125.5 million
Applications Due: May 21, 2020
Eligible Entities: unrestricted
This funding opportunity is being issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). SETO supports solar energy research and development (R&D) in three technology areas—photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), and systems integration—with the goal of improving the affordability, reliability, and performance of solar technologies on the grid. This section describes the overall goals of the Solar Energy Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2020 (SETO 2020) funding program and the types of projects being solicited for funding support through this FOA.
The SETO 2020 funding program seeks to advance R&D of solar technologies that reduce the cost of solar, increase the competitiveness of American manufacturing and businesses, and improve the reliability of the grid. These projects will advance R&D in PV, CSP, and energy management technologies, while also working to improve cyber security, expand solar to new applications like agricultural solar, integrate solar and storage, and utilize artificial intelligence to address research challenges. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
DOE BIA Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development: National Tribal Broadband Grant (NTBG) – $1.2 million
Applications Due: June 15, 2020
Eligible Entities: county governments, state governments, city or township governments, special district governments, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other than federally recognized)
The Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED), Office of the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs is soliciting proposals from Indian Tribes, as defined at 25 U.S.C. § 5304(e), for grant funding to hire consultants to perform feasibility studies for deployment or expansion of high-speed internet (broadband) transmitted, variously, through digital subscriber line (DSL), cable modem, fiber, wireless, satellite and broadband over power lines (BPL).
TBG grants may be used to fund an assessment of the current broadband services, if any, that are available to an applicant’s community; an engineering assessment of new or expanded broadband services; an estimate of the cost of building or expanding a broadband network; a determination of the transmission medium(s) that will be employed; identification of potential funding and/or financing for the network; and consideration of financial and practical risks associated with developing a broadband network. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
DOE Announces Up To $15 Million for Tribes to Deploy Energy Technology
Deadline to Apply: July 1, 2020
DOE is soliciting applications to install energy technology on tribal lands. Specifically, the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs is soliciting applications to:
- Install energy generating systems and energy efficiency measures for tribal buildings;
- Deploy community-scale energy generating systems or energy storage on tribal lands;
- Install integrated energy systems for autonomous operation (independent of the traditional centralized electric power grid) to power a single facility or multiple essential tribal facilities during emergency situations or for tribal community resilience; or
- Deploy energy infrastructure or integrated energy systems to electrify tribal buildings.
Applications may also be submitted on behalf of an Indian Tribe(s) by an authorized Tribal Organization, provided evidence of that authority is included as part of the application. See the FOA for all eligibility requirements. Applications are due July 1, 2020. The intended results of the 50% cost-shared projects selected under this FOA are to reduce or stabilize energy costs and increase energy security and resiliency for Indian Tribes and tribal members. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
DOE GFO Educational Materials for Professional Organizations Working on Efficiency and Renewable Energy Developments (EMPOWERED) – $4.5 million
Applications Due: July 8, 2020
Eligible Entities: county governments, state governments, city or township governments, special district governments, native american tribal organizations
(EMPOWERED) funding program is a collaborative effort across EERE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), and Building Technologies Office (BTO), to provide professionals with educational materials and training resources in fields newly interacting with distributed energy resources (DER). In this program, DER includes distributed solar, like on homes and businesses, as well as efficient building technologies and sustainable transportation technologies, such as electric vehicles. The goal of this program is to create resources that will help those on the front lines of DER adoption—like first responders, safety officials, and building managers and owners keep up with these rapidly emerging and advancing technologies. These professionals are at the forefront of America’s energy transition and play a role in easing adoption, ensuring safety, and reducing installation costs. Because of this, the participating EERE offices see these professionals as key to enabling understanding and acceptance of new energy technologies. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
DOE BIA Offshore Wind Energy Atmospheric Science and Project Development – $20 million
Applications Due: July 9, 2020
Eligible Entities: unrestricted
The Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) is within the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). EERE advances America’s leadership in science and technology through early-stage research and development in sustainable transportation, renewable power, and energy efficiency. This FOA has Two Topic Areas:
Topic Area 1: The overall goal of this Topic Area is to provide funding for a project that will improve wind resource modeling and predictions in offshore wind energy development areas. Using lessons-learned and information gained during the previous program work in complex-terrain wind resource modeling and prediction, this Topic Area will focus on improving wind resource model physics for foundational wind forecasts and other applications in offshore wind energy development areas.
Topic Area 2: The overall goal of this Topic Area is to provide funding for a project(s) that will enable demonstration of a novel technology and/or methodology that will advance the state-of-the-art of offshore wind energy in the United States. The proposed project must either implement an innovative technology at engineering/pilot or full-scale, and/or employ a novel methodology that has yet to be utilized commercially in the United States for offshore wind.
For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
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Toxics/Mobile Sources
The Federal Highway Administration FHWA is making $250,000 available for up to 5 proposals for testing new RLINE source types in AERMOD. While the recipient must be a state DOT, state DOTs could partner with another agency on a proposal, such as a tribal air quality agency. The FHWA is soliciting proposals from State Departments of Transportation (DOTs), to test two new source types: RLINE and RLINEXT in AERMOD, an air pollution dispersion model, using real or hypothetical project examples and input data, and to create case studies.
Agencies interested in participating in this effort are asked to submit a proposal to Victoria Martinez (Victoria.Martinez@dot.gov) and Cecilia Ho (Cecilia.Ho@dot.gov) with FHWA’s Office of Natural Environment and copy their respective FHWA Division Office by July 13, 2020. An informational webinar for potential applicants will be held on June 2, 2020 at 1:00 ET. To attend, please visit https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/newsourcetypetesting/.
EPA OAR 2020 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Tribal Grants – $2 million
Applications Due: July 9, 2020
Eligible Entities: Tribal governments (or intertribal consortia) and Alaska Native Villages, which have jurisdiction over transportation or air quality.
EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality is soliciting applications nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced by diesel engines and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets located in areas designated as having poor air quality. DERA grants provide funding to eligible recipients so that they may implement programs which incentivize and accelerate the upgrading or retirement of the legacy diesel fleet. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description. Here are several helpful links as well:
- 2020 Request for Applications
- Important Dates
- Supporting Information for RFA
- Questions and Answers
- Eligible Applicants and Uses of Funding
- Grant Process
- Tool and Resources for Applicants
- Reporting Templates for Grantees
EPA Announces Cooperative Agreement to Support the National Tribal Toxics Council (NTTC)
Applications due June 15, 2020
The EPA is seeking applications from federally-recognized tribes, Native American organizations, and non-government organizations to provide technical support for the National Tribal Toxics Council (NTTC). The NTTC works collaboratively with EPA to represent tribal interests in the development and implementation of chemical risk assessment, risk management, and pollution prevention programs.
EPA anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement for approximately $800,000 over a five-year period that will focus on the following activities:
- Assist federally-recognized tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and intertribal organizations in selecting and maintaining a geographically diverse membership with a diversity of relevant and technical expertise in the NTTC;
- Assist the NTTC in maintaining a viable charter that covers activities eligible for EPA funding and fulfilling the objectives of that charter; and
- Provide professional and technical support to the NTTC to conduct its meetings and other activities.
Applications are due by June 15, 2020. Additional information is available on www.grants.gov, under Funding Opportunity Announcement EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-003.
Indoor Air Quality
Resource for Healthy Indoor Air Quality
Check out the website https://forhealth.org/ for many resources related to healthy homes and indoor air quality!
The Tribal Healthy Homes Network (THHN) has a webpage dedicated to Funding Opportunities! Additionally, THHN has developed a Funding Guide for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities.