State and Federal Grant Funding Opportunities October 2024

Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Grants Application Period Is Open

EPA will provide millions of dollars to clean up polluted sites.

The application period for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program funding is open until mid-November. EPA anticipates awarding more than $230 million to applicants in three categories:

• $117 million total for Assessment grants with maximum awards of between $500,000 and $2 million, depending on grant type.
• $15 million for the Revolving Loan Fund with a maximum award of $1 million.
• $100 million for Cleanup grants with maximum awards of $500,000, $2 million, and $4 million, depending on the program.

Eligible applicants include local governments such as counties and cities, federally recognized Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, special districts, councils of governments, community development agencies, and others. Applicants that have already received Brownfields program funding may be eligible for additional funding. Eligible activities will include planning for revitalization and reuse as well as implementing a project. Cost-sharing, or matching, requirements vary by program; last year’s Cleanup program grants did not require matching funds. To help prospective applicants get started, EPA has already posted information on the Eligibility page. The full funding announcement, guidance, webinars, and other resources are available at the Brownfields Current and Upcoming Funding Opportunities page.

Up to $35 Million Available to Restore Fish Passage 

Program aims to restore aquatic ecosystem.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide between $250,000 and $10 million for projects to restore fish passage infrastructure. Successful projects will address outdated, unsafe or obsolete dams, culverts, levees and other barriers fragmenting our nation’s rivers and streams and restore climate resilient aquatic connectivity in rivers, floodplains, and coastal habitats. Eligible applicants include state, county, local, and tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations; public and Indian housing authorities; special districts; nonprofits; and others. There is no matching requirement. Applications are due December 31, 2024. For more information, visit the National Fish Passage Program's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 2024 Funding Opportunity Guidance page.

Up to $965 Million to Fund Clean School Buses 

Program aims to reduce pollution, save money, and protect communities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing $965 million in rebates to eligible applicants for replacements of qualifying school buses. Eligible applicants include local, state, and tribal entities or third parties that provide school bus services or the purchase, lease, license, or contract for the services of school buses. Applicants can request up to $325,000 per bus for up to 50 buses per application, which can be used to cover bus and infrastructure costs for awardees requesting electric school buses, as well as eligible training costs for bus drivers, electricians, and others working with the new buses or infrastructure. Applications are due January 9, 2025. For more information, visit the Clean School Bus Program Rebates page.

Up to $20 Million to Support Recycling for Tribes 

Program aims to improve local waste management systems and improve recycling programs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing $20 million for federally recognized tribes and qualifying intertribal consortia to support recycling and waste management programs, including reducing the use of source materials, composting, and developing industrial uses for waste. Eligible projects may include developing or updating plans, planning or constructing facilities, purchasing equipment for end users, training and technical assistance, and education outreach. Awards will range from $100,000 up to $1.5 million. There is no required match for this opportunity. Applications are due March 14, 2025. For more information, visit the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia page.

$24.5 Million for Tribal Transportation Safety Planning

Program aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries due to crashes in tribal areas.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing more than $24.5 million to federally recognized tribes to develop strategies, activities, and projects on public roads to correct or improve a hazard or address a highway safety problem. Some eligible project types include the addition of features such as roundabouts and rumble strips; safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or persons with disabilities; traffic-calming features; installation or replacement of signage; safety planning; collecting safety data; and many others. For projects on facilities not owned by a tribe, a letter of support from the facility owner is required. No match is required; however, if the number of qualified applications exceeds the available funding, then applicants that have leveraged funds will receive priority consideration. Applications are due January 15, 2025. To learn more, visit the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund website.

Funding for Tribes to Develop Strategic Transportation Safety Plans

Up to $24 million available to improve road safety in tribal areas.

The Federal Highway Administration is providing funds to assist tribes in developing or updating transportation safety plans. Eligible activities include plan development; data assessment, improvement, and analysis; implementation of countermeasures for roadway departures; and improvements to transportation infrastructure. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribes and partnerships between federally recognized tribes and another entity. There is no match requirement. Applications are due January 15, 2025. For more information, visit the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund page.

Up to $125 Million in Federal Funding to Reduce Emissions Associated with Cement Production

Future growth grants are intended to provide assistance for establishing test centers.

The U.S. Department of Energy is providing funding for up to 10 projects to establish test centers for research and evaluation of methods to capture, remove, and convert CO2 in cement manufacturing facilities and power plants or to improve existing carbon capture test facilities. Eligible applicants include tribal nations, state and local governments, nonprofits, and institutions of higher education. Awards are available in three bundles of funding: up to $80 million, $26 million, and $1.5 million. A 30% match is required. Applications are due October 31, 2024. To learn more, visit the Carbon Capture, Removal, and Conversion Test Centers page. 

Up to $125 Million for Carbon Transport Solutions

Program aims to accelerate the development of solutions to move CO2 from sources to energy conversion centers.

The U.S. Department of Energy is providing funding for projects that support and accelerate the development of CO2 transport through means such as pipelines, rail, trucks, or vessels. The projects must source the CO2 from at least two human-made sources and deliver it to energy conversion sites or storage facilities. Successful applications will outline a base project and an expanded project that increases the capacity of the base project. The DOE expects to provide awards of between $31 and $125 million. Eligible applicants include government agencies or authorities or a partnership between a governmental agency and a private party. Projects will be given priority consideration if they are within or next to existing infrastructure corridors (to minimize environmental impacts during development) and if they demonstrate a strong community benefits plan. A 20 percent match is required. Applications are due October 30. For more information, visit the Carbon Dioxide Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program website.

Up to $15 Million in Federal Funding to Reduce Methane Emissions from Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells

Funding is focused on cost-effective ways to evaluate, remediate, and monitor abandoned wells.

The U.S. Department of Energy is providing funding for up to 7 projects to support research and development projects that help reduce methane emissions and other harmful environmental impacts from undocumented orphaned oil and natural gas wells. Successful projects will demonstrate cost-effective and improved methods, improve tools, and support new ways of remediating abandoned wells. Eligible applicants include tribal nations, state and local governments, nonprofits, and institutions of higher education. A 20 percent or greater match is required. Applications are due November 13, 2024. To learn more, visit the Undocumented Orphaned Well Characterization and Remediation page.

$2.85 Million for Reduction and Reuse of Industrial Waste in Washington

Program promotes a circular economy that makes use of waste.

The Washington State Department of Commerce will make $2.8 million available for projects that transform industrial wastes into useful resources. Applicants may apply for up to $500,000 per project. Eligible applicants include tribal and local governments, nonprofits, and private entities taking steps to reduce, reuse, or eliminate industrial wastes that can include by-products, waste heat, wastes from the built environment, and food waste. A 50 percent match is required. Applications are due November 1, 2024. To learn more, visit the Industrial Symbiosis page.

Up to $2.5 Million Available for Seismic Rehabilitation in Oregon

Program provides funding for the rehabilitation of critical public buildings.

Business Oregon sponsors the Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program that provides up to $2.5 million to strengthen eligible public buildings. Funding can be used by owners to rehabilitate fire and police stations, sheriff’s offices, 9-1-1 centers, emergency operations centers, hospitals with acute inpatient care facilities, public schools, community colleges, and education service district buildings. Eligible activities include structural and nonstructural improvements as well as architectural, engineering, and project management services. There is no required match for this program; however, leveraging other resources will be considered favorably. Program guidance includes requirements for an engineering study and a benefit-cost analysis. Applications are due January 10, 2025. To learn more and connect with program staff, visit the Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program page.