Lots of exciting opportunities – from reviewing grant applications for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion program (a great way to learn how the grant works – so you can be better positioned to apply in the next round), and numerous grant opportunities!!
From: Agans, Suzette - RD, Washington, DC [mailto:Suzette.Agans@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2014 9:44 AM
Subject: Publications, Grant Review Request, and Funding
PUBLICATIONS
Check out the new edition of Engaging Young People - Revitalizing Rural Communities. Craig Schroeder has updated the content with new survey results from more than 40,000 youth.
FIELD has launched the 2014 U.S. Microenterprise Census! Take a look at the new short survey and submit your data today!
GRANT REVIEWER REQUEST
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking peer reviewers to evaluate grant applications for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP). The FMLFPP grants are funded by the 2014 Farm Bill to strengthen rural American communities by supporting direct farm-to-consumer markets and local food enterprises, and to improve access to fresh, high quality products for millions of Americans.
Prospective reviewers are expected to have operational knowledge of direct-to-consumer and local/regional marketing venues, as well as a background in local agriculture, agricultural retail and farm-to-table marketing. Reviewers will apply their knowledge and expertise to score and comment on the grant applications.
Selected reviewers must commit approximately three weeks for the FMLFPP review process between July 9 and July 28. A required half-day training webinar will take place during the week of June 18 (exact time and date to be determined). Reviewers will be organized into teams of 3 and follow a pre-set scoring rubric. Individuals will review 20 to 30 proposals, each requiring 1 to 3 hours to complete. They will also participate in a group review online to reach a consensus score and develop comments for applicants. Non-government employees will receive a stipend for their time. Federal employees do not receive a stipend.
If you are interested in serving as a peer reviewer, please visit the FMLFPP reviewer webpage to find out more about the grant programs and the application process. Be sure that you have supervisory approval given the time commitment. For consideration, submit your reviewer application by June 11, 2014 (ignore Website due date of May 21), and we will contact selected reviewers soon after. CONTACT: Nicole Nelson Miller, Program Manager, Local Food Promotion Program, USDA-AMS
202-720-2731, Email: USDALFPPQuestions@ams.usda.gov, www.ams.usda.gov/lfpp
FUNDING
International Reading Association Accepting Nominations for 2014 Literacy Awards - DEADLINE: June 15, 2014
Two grants of $2,500 each will be awarded in recognition of literacy service projects jointly undertaken by Rotary clubs and IRA-affiliated reading councils....
Woodard & Curran Foundation Invites Applications From Environmental Organizations - DEADLINE: June 15, 2014
At least two grants of up to $10,000 each will be awarded to projects that demonstrate environmental stewardship through community involvement and that promote a clean and sustainable environment....
Workforce Innovation Fund Grants — SGA-DFA-PY-13-06
The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announces the availability of up to $53 million in grant funds to be awarded under the Workforce Innovation Fund (WIF) grant program. These funds support innovative approaches that generate long-term improvements in the performance of the public workforce system, outcomes for job seekers and employers, and cost-effectiveness. All projects funded under the WIF will be rigorously evaluated in order to build a body of knowledge about what works in workforce development. Closing Date: June 14, 2014. Read the Full Announcement (PDF)
SBA Announces Funding for SBDCs to Provide TA and Training Services to Small Firms Impacted by Business or Government Facility Downsizing or Closing
The Small Business Administration seeks to make grants under the Small Business Development Center Portable Assistance Project to SBDC Lead Centers serving economically distressed areas. Click here for the application package. Projects under this award must provide technical assistance and/or training services to small businesses in communities that are economically impacted as a result of a business or government facility down-sizing or closing. The qualifying events must demonstrate negative impacts of job losses or small business instability in the SBDC Service Area.
The goals and objectives of a successful application are strongly recommended to demonstrate an increase in small business success and viability through such measures as job creation and retention, increases in sales, and capital infusion. SBA is particularly interested in collaborative efforts (community, regional, statewide, industry sector, etc.) that may serve as best practices and models of such small business assistance. Applicants are encouraged to design and develop innovative programs and services to address the purpose of this Project. Efforts funded under this announcement may also produce products and methodologies that can be replicated by SBDCs in other locations nationwide.
A total amount of approximately $ 1,000,000 in funding is available for this program. SBA expects to make up to 10 awards of not more than $100,000 per award. There is no matching fund requirement. However, the availability of additional funds or in-kind resources may be noted in the technical proposal. Multiple awards to one SBDC in the same funding year are allowable provided the purpose of each project is separate and distinct. The closing date for applications is June 26.
Susan Harwood Training Grants-Targeted Topics — SHTG-FY-14-01
The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announces the availability of up to $3.5 million to be awarded to nonprofit organizations for grants to provide training and educational programs for workers and/or employers on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the workplace. This grant program is also intended to inform workers of their rights and employers of their responsibilities under Section 21 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). Targeted Topic Training grant winners should be developing and conducting quality training for multiple employers and/or their workers, and the develop quality safety and health training/educational materials addressing one of the OSHA selected training topics — Agricultural Safety and Health; Amputations; Chemical Hazards and/or Hazard Communication; Construction Road Zones; Ergonomic Harzards; Fall Prevention in Construction; Fall Prevention in General Industry and Hair & Nail Salon Hazards. Nonprofit organizations, including qualifying labor unions, community-based and faith-based organizations, and employer associations, that are not an agency of a state or local government, are eligible to apply. Additionally, state or local government-supported institutions of higher education are eligible to apply in accordance with 29 CFR Part 95. Closing Date: June 30, 2014. Read the Full Announcement (PDF)
Susan Harwood Training Grants-Capacity Building — SHTG-FY-14-02
The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)announces the availability of up to $3.5 million to be awarded to nonprofit organizations for grants to provide training and educational programs for workers and/or employers on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the workplace. This grant program is also intended to inform workers of their rights and employers of their responsibilities under Section 21 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). Capacity Building grants are longer-term grants that build safety and health competency. Applications for Capacity Building grants should focus on developing and/or expanding the capacity of an applicant organization to provide safety and health training, education, and related assistance to targeted audiences. Nonprofit organizations, including qualifying labor unions, community-based and faith-based organizations, and employer associations, that are not an agency of a state or local government, are eligible to apply. Additionally, state or local government-supported institutions of higher education are eligible to apply in accordance with 29 CFR Part 95. Closing Date: June 30, 2014. Read the Full Announcement (PDF)
Alexia Foundation Accepting Proposals for 2014 Women's Initiative Grant - DEADLINE: June 30, 2014
One $25,000 grant will be awarded for a documentary photographic or multimedia project on a significant issue involving and affecting women....
USDOT Freight Opportunity: Off-Hours Delivery Research Pilots
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Freight Management and Operations is currently requesting applications to result in the award of a minimum of three cooperative agreements to conduct applied research on the subject of Off-Hours Freight Deliveries. FHWA has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in order to research and demonstrate the efficacy of implementing off hours movements and delivery programs in small to medium size urban areas with emerging or growing congestion problems. The Federal Highway Administration will award up to $450,000 in research pilots and it is expected that recipients collaborate with the European Commission (EC) on similar projects. The solicitation is posted here and the closing date for applications is June 12. Please contact Coral Torres at 202.366.7602 or coral.torres@dot.gov if you have any questions. Regional planning and development organizations in small and medium-sized urban areas may wish to share this announcement with freight carriers, shippers, or receivers (retailers) who would be interested in participating in the program.
Hogg Foundation Announces RFP for Mental Health Awareness Projects in African-American Faith-Based Communities - DEADLINE: June 30, 2014
The program will support projects designed to improve awareness and perceptions of mental health, recovery, and wellness in African-American communities....
Partners for Places builds partnerships between local government sustainability offices and place-based foundations. Partnership investments are between $25,000 and $75,000 for one-year projects or $50,000 and $150,000 for two-year projects with a 1:1 match. Apply by July 3. READ MORE >
Competitive Grant To Establish a USDA Center for Behavioral and Experimental Agri-Environmental Policy Research Applications due July 7, 2014.
The USDA seeks to fund a Center that will use behavioral and experimental economics to conduct research on how policies and programs can influence the provision of ecosystem services from agricultural lands.
NIHCM Foundation Seeks Letters of Inquiry for Healthcare Management Research Projects - DEADLINE: July 14, 2014 (Letter of Inquiry)
The foundation will award grants totaling $250,000 to three to five projects with the potential to advance the existing knowledge base in the areas of U.S. healthcare financing, delivery, management, and/or policy....
Community Economic Development Healthy Food Financing Initiative Projects, HHS-2014-ACF-OCS-EE-0819. Application Due Date: 07/21/2014
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will award up to $9.5 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary grant funds to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) for community-based efforts to improve the economic and physical health of people in areas designated as food deserts. Additionally or as an alternative, applicants can point to indicators of need, such as poor access to a healthy food retail outlet, a high percentage of low-income residents, incidence of diet-related health conditions, or high concentrations of persons eligible for food assistance programs. Through the CED program and within the framework of the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (CED-HFFI), OCS seeks to fund projects that implement strategies to increase healthy food access, foster self-sufficiency for low-income families, and create sustained employment opportunities in low-income communities. To do this, the CED-HFFI program will provide technical and financial assistance for healthy food ventures designed to: (1) improve access to, and purchase and consumption of healthy, affordable foods; and (2) address the economic needs of low-income individuals and families through the creation of employment and business opportunities in low-income communities. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/files/HHS-2014-ACF-OCS-EE-0819_0.pdf
DOD Funding Opportunity: Defense Industry Adjustment Program
The U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) has released an updated Federal Register notice on its Defense Industry Adjustment program, which supports planning and economic diversification in regions and communities affected by defense procurement reductions. This technical and financial assistance program helps recipients organize themselves to speak with one voice on behalf of affected workers, businesses, and communities; plan approaches to offset local economic impacts; and carry out strategies through public-private ventures. State governments may also request assistance to plan and implement economic diversification activities and promote cooperation between statewide and local efforts in advance of industry reductions. This program has helped states gather data on their defense supply chains and identify or develop resources that can be mobilized in the event of a regional defense impact.
Click here to view the Federal Register notice for this program. Eligible entities must meet certain criteria related to the defense spending reduction in their area and its impact on jobs and the community. Regional organizations must demonstrate that they are public instrumentalities. Proposals will be considered for funding on a continuing basis, subject to available appropriations. With questions about the Defense Industry Adjustment program, including whether your region is eligible, contact Michael Gilroy at michael.p.gilroy3.civ@mail.mil or 703.697.2081.
Click here to access a set of publications released by OEA to guide local leaders through the process of organizing, planning, and implementing regional economic adjustment strategies. The three shorter guides provide an overview of the organizing and planning process, approaches to assist small and medium-size firms, and strategies for coordinating worker transitions. The longer guide covers these themes in greater depth. All emphasize the importance of local leadership and starting early before impacts are felt locally.
Institute of Education Sciences Announces Opening of FY 2015 Research Grant Competitions; Identifies Postsecondary and Adult Education Research as Emphasis
The Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education has provided this advisory: The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) at the U.S. Department of Education has announced its research grants competitions for the 2015 fiscal year. The following two opportunities may be of interest to community colleges and researchers.
The Education Research Grant Programs supports a variety of efforts by researchers to develop, improve, and evaluate education policies and programs. One of the topic areas for which the institute is currently accepting proposals is postsecondary and adult education research (CFDA 84.305A). For more details, see http://ies.ed.gov/funding/ncer_rfas/postsec.asp.
The Partnerships and Collaborations Focused on Problems of Practice or Policy program (CFDA 84.305H) provides funding for education practitioners and researchers to work together to develop research plans, adopt a continuous improvement strategy, and/or evaluate education policies and programs that are already operating on a large scale. Postsecondary and adult education programs qualify to be funded under this program. For more details, see http://ies.ed.gov/funding/ncer_rfas/partnerships_colab.asp.
For each grant program the announcement lists an IES staff person who can answer questions and provide technical assistance during the grant writing process. IES also offers webinars on how to prepare a research proposal. To apply, follow the instructions in each program link. Grant applications for both programs are due on Aug. 7, 2014 by 4:30 p.m. ET.
New VISTA openings -There are two new AmeriCorps VISTA openings in the rural family.
YouthBuild USA’s Rural and Tribal Initiative is seeking a VISTA member to join their team starting in August 2014. More details available here.
Here is more information about the AmeriCorps VISTA program. Please share this info with your networks.
Suzette M. Agans
Community and Economic Development
Rural Development | U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W. | Washington, D.C. 20250-3253
Phone: 202.401.1922 | Fax 202.401.7311
www.rurdev.usda.gov
"Committed to the future of rural communities"
"Estamos dedicados al futuro de las comunidades rurales"
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