Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) is sending his December grants bulletin to residents, organizations and local governments about a series of grants available from the state, federal government and private entities. Each month, the Assembly provides an updated list of grants for a variety of categories.

“During a time of economic recovery, grants can play a vital role in helping our local communities complete needed infrastructure repairs or support under-funded projects,” said Palmesano. “Many people don’t realize the amount of available opportunities because they aren’t sure where to look. The ‘Grants Action News’ bulletin consolidates the grant information, making it available to everyone and easier to find. It is my hope that residents, organizations and local governments throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions will be able to use this resource to find much-needed support and lead to stronger communities in our rural region.”

The “Grants Action News” bulletin is updated at the beginning of each month with newly available grants and information on how to apply. Continuing his monthly updates, Palmesano will be providing regular updates on his Assembly website at http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Philip-A-Palmesano, as well as posts to his Facebook page; just like “Assemblyman Phil Palmesano” to stay up-to-date on new grants information.

Those interested may sign up for monthly direct mail or email updates on the latest grants available, and can find a more detailed list of the current and previously offered grants by going to: http://assembly.state.ny.us/gan/. A brief summary of this month’s “Grants Action News” is available below:

State Grants:

-New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) seeks proposals for research, product development and demonstration projects of energy efficiency innovations for data center and enterprise information and communications technology (ICT). The objective of this is to overcome barriers and speed the technical/market readiness of promising early-stage technologies and techniques that can improve energy efficiency in data centers and ICT used by NYS businesses. Eligible parties include: academics, researchers, commercial product and technology developers/vendors, data center operators, ICT designers and installers or collaborations of these. Application deadline is February 11, 2014. Contact: Tony Abate, Project Manager at (518) 862-1090 ext. 3522, awa@nyserda.ny.gov or visit: www.nyserda.ny.gov/Funding-Opportunities/Current-Funding-Opportunities/PON-2846-Innovations-in-Data-Center-Information-and-Communications-Technology-Energy-Efficiency.aspx.

Federal Grants:

-The Department of Health and Human Services has announced available funding for their Understanding and Treating Co-Morbid Conditions in Adolescents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities program. Eligible parties include: public/state-private controlled institutions of higher education; Hispanic-serving institutions; historically black colleges and universities; non-profit and for-profit organizations; small businesses; state, county, city, township and special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities; faith-based or community-based organizations; and regional organizations. Application deadline: February 5, 2014. Contact: Mary Lou Oster-Granite, Ph.D. at (301) 435-6866 or mo96o@nih.gov; Bryan S. Clark, M.B.A. at (301) 435-6975 or clarkb1@mail.nih.gov; or visit: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-11-039.html.

-The Administration for Children and Families Youth Services Bureau is accepting applications for the Transitional Living Program (TLP) and for the Maternity Group Homes (MGH) funding opportunity announcement. The purpose of these grants is to provide runaway and homeless youth (RHY) an alternative to law enforcement, child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems. Eligible parties include: non-profit organizations; state, county, city or township governments; independent school districts; private institutions of higher education; special district governments; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; public housing authorities; and faith-based or community organizations. Application deadline: January 15, 2014. Contact: Marnay Cameron or Daphne Weeden at (866) 796-1591, fysb@luxcg.com or visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2014-ACF-ACYF-CX-0567.

Private Grants:

-The National Endowment for the Arts is now accepting applications for their Big Read program to support organizations across the country in developing community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences. Eligible parties include: 501(c)(3) nonprofits; a division of state or local government; or a tax-exempt public library such as literary centers, libraries, museums, colleges and universities, art centers, historical societies, arts councils, tribal governments, humanities councils, literary festivals, and arts organizations. Application deadline is January 28, 2014. Contact: Arts Midwest at (612) 238-8010, TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org or visit: www.neabigread.org/application_process.php.

-The National Endowment for the Arts has announced funding for their Our Town Project to support creative place-making projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core. Eligible parties include: county, city, town and village governments. Application deadline is January 13, 2014. Contact: National Endowment for the Arts

Our Town Project at ot@arts.gov or visit: http://arts.gov/grants-organizations/our-town/grant-program-description.

Scholar Grants:

-The Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program, administered by the American Federation for Aging Research and the National Institute on Aging (NIA), encourages medical students to consider a career in academic geriatrics by awarding short-term scholarships. The 2014 MSTAR Program provides medical students with an enriching experience in aging-related research and geriatrics, with the mentorship of top experts in the field. Eligible parties include: any allopathic or osteopathic medical student in good standing, who will have successfully completed one year of medical school at a U.S. institution by June 2014 and be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Application deadline: January 31, 2014. Contact: American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), (212) 703-9977, grants@afar.org, or visit: www.afar.org/research/funding/mstar/.

Grant Writing Request Training:

-The Foundation Center is offering a series of classes on January 4, 9, 14, 16 and 28, 2014 to help assist grant seekers in the best methods of seeking support in a variety of topics and skills. To register, call: 212-620-4230 or visit: http://www.foundationcenter.org/, space is limited.