Palmesano December “Grants Action News” Update

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today is sending his December grants bulletin to residents, organizations and local governments to highlight a series of grants available from the state, federal government and private entities. Each month, the Assembly provides an updated list of grants in a variety of categories. “During a time of economic recovery, grants can play an integral part in helping our local communities complete needed infrastructure repairs or support under-funded projects,” said Palmesano. “Many people don’t realize the scope of available opportunities because they aren’t sure where to look. The ‘Grants Action News’ bulletin makes finding these grants much easier by consolidating the information and making it available to everyone. I 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 to strengthen communities in our rural area.” The “Grants Action News” bulletin is updated at the beginning of each month with newly-available grants and information on how to apply. Palmesano will continue to provide 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 summary of this month’s “Grants Action News” appears below:

State Grants:

New York State Department of Labor The New York State Department of Labor is accepting applications for their Dislocated Worker Training National Emergency Grant. The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to solicit projects to provide occupational training to dislocated workers with an emphasis on those who are long-term unemployed, to enable them to obtain employment. The RFA will support the following two types of occupational training: 1. Work-based learning, including: on-the-job training; customized training; and registered apprenticeships; and 2. Classroom-based learning, which leads to industry-recognized credentials in high-demand occupations, such as class-sized training by contracting with an institution of higher education, or other eligible training providers and remedial training. Remedial training would be to assist individuals in the improvement of basic skills deficiencies such as reading, writing or math. Upon completion of remedial training, participants must move on to class-sized training. Applicants may apply for funding to provide any or all of the types of training listed above.
  • Eligibility: Eligible applicants include private sector for-profit businesses, private not-for-profit businesses, unincorporated local workforce investment boards and training providers which:
    • have two or more employees (principals of corporations and owners of businesses such as sole proprietors or partners are not considered to be employees for this criterion);
    • are physically located in one or more of the New York State counties that have populations of 1,000,000 or less; and
    • are in good standing regarding: Unemployment Insurance; Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN); Public Works; Labor Standards; Safety and Health; NYS Department of State Division of Corporations; Workers Compensation Insurance; and Disability Insurance.
  • Funding: $1,100,000
  • Deadline: Open
  • Contact: Andrew Gehr, Workforce Programs Specialist
    New York State Department of Labor
    State Office Campus
    Building 12, Room 440
    Albany, New York 12240
    Phone: (518) 485-1240
    Email: Andrew.Gehr@labor.ny.gov
    Website: http://labor.ny.gov/businessservices/PDFs/DWTNEG_RFA.pdf

Federal Grants

The National Science Foundation is accepting applications for their Science of Science & Innovation Policy program which supports research designed to advance the scientific basis of innovation and science policy. Research funded by the program thus develops, improves and expands models, analytical tools, data and metrics that can be applied in the science policy decision-making process. Proposals may also develop methodologies to analyze science and technology data, and to convey the information to a variety of audiences. Researchers are also encouraged to create or improve science and engineering data, metrics and indicators reflecting current discovery, particularly proposals that demonstrate the viability of collecting and analyzing data on knowledge generation and innovation in organizations.
  • Eligibility: NSF welcomes proposals on behalf of all qualified scientists, engineers and educators who initiate proposals that are officially submitted by their employing organization. Eligible organizations must be located in the U.S. and includes: universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) accredited in the U.S.; independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations; commercial organizations, especially small businesses with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education; as well as state educational offices or organizations and local school districts with proposals intended to broaden the impact, accelerate the pace, and increase the effectiveness of improvements in science, mathematics and engineering education in both K-12 and post-secondary levels. Scientists, engineers or educators in the U.S. and U.S. citizens may be eligible for support, provided that the individual is not employed by or affiliated with an organization, and:
    • the proposer has demonstrated the capability and has access to any necessary facilities to carry out the project; and
    • the proposer agrees to fiscal arrangements that, in the opinion of the NSF Division of Grants & Agreements, ensure responsible management of federal funds.
    Preliminary inquiry may be emailed before preparing a proposal for submission. NSF is interested in supporting projects that couple industrial research resources and perspectives with those of universities; therefore, it especially welcomes proposals for cooperative projects involving both universities and the private commercial sector.
  • Funding: The combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.
  • Deadline: Letter of Intent due January 16, 2015 (optional). Application due February 16, 2015.
  • Contact: Bryan Clark, MBA
    Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
    Phone: (301) 435-6975
    Email: Clarkb1@mail.nih.gov
    Website: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-14-355.html#_Section_II._Award_1
Department of Health and Human Services The National Institute on Aging (NIA), through the Department of Health and Human Services, has announced a funding opportunity encouraging cross-disciplinary research to investigate the mechanisms underlying age-related declines in neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) as a functional unit of nerve and muscle. Research should be aimed at exploring potential avenues for maintaining the NMJs during aging or reversing the age-dependent loss in function of the NMJs.
  • Eligibility: Public/state-controlled or private institutions of higher education; Hispanic-serving institutions; historically black colleges and universities; tribally controlled colleges and universities; Alaska native and native Hawaiian-serving institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions; nonprofit organizations; for-profit organizations; small businesses; state, county, city, township and special district governments; Indian/Native American tribal governments; eligible agencies of the federal government; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations.
  • Funding: NIA intends to commit $2,500,000 for up to six awards.
  • Deadline: Letter of Intent due December 29, 2014. Application due January 29, 2015.
  • Contact: John P. Williams, PhD
    National Institute on Aging (NIA)
    Phone: (301) 496-6403
    Email: williamsj6@mail.nih.gov
    Wen G. Chen, PhD
    National Institute on Aging (NIA)
    Phone: (301) 496-9350
    Email: chenw@nia.nih.gov
    Website: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-15-008.html

Private Grants

Sidney Hillman Foundation The Sidney Hillman Foundation is now accepting entries for the 2015 Hillman Prizes which honor investigative journalism and commentary in the public interest. Winners exemplify resourcefulness and courage in reporting, skilled storytelling and social impact. The 2015 prizes will be awarded for work produced, published, broadcast or exhibited in 2014. Categories include books (bound volumes and ebooks); newspaper journalism (in print or online); magazine journalism (in print or online); broadcast journalism (television, web TV, radio, podcast or documentary film at least 20 minutes in total package length); web journalism (photojournalism, computer-assisted reporting, new investigative tools, mapping, crowd sourcing and other multimedia projects); and opinion journalism (includes all types of advocacy, opinion, commentary and analysis, normally short-form and/or frequent, regardless of medium).
  • Eligibility: The contest is open to journalists and subjects globally, including newspaper and magazine columnists, TV and radio presenters, podcasters, blogs and bloggers who completed work that was intended for and widely accessible to a U.S. audience. Applicants may nominate their own work or someone else’s.
  • Funding: Winners are awarded travel to New York City to receive a $5,000 prize and a certificate at the Sidney Hillman Foundation’s awards ceremony and cocktail reception to be held Tuesday, May 5, 2015.
  • Deadline: January 30, 2015
  • Contact: Alexandra Lescaze, Executive Director
    The Sidney Hillman Foundation
    12 W. 31st St., 12th Floor
    New York, NY 10001
    Phone: (917) 696-2494
    Email: alex@hillmanfoundation.org
    Website: www.hillmanfoundation.org/2015-hillman-prize-nominations
The Big Read The Big Read is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations to develop community-wide reading programs between September 2015 and June 2016. The Big Read is a national program designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage reading for pleasure and enrichment. Organizations selected to participate in The Big Read receive a grant, educational and promotional materials and access to online training resources and opportunities. Approximately 75 organizations from across the country will be selected.
  • Eligibility: Eligible applicants include nonprofit arts, cultural, literary and civic organizations, such as libraries, museums and local arts agencies.
  • Funding: Funding ranges from $2,500 to $20,000
  • Deadline: January 28, 2015
  • Contact: Arts Midwest
    Phone: (612) 238-8010
    Email: TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org
    Website: http://neabigread.org/application_process.php

Scholars Awards

National Science Foundation The Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) will award Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (PRF) to highly qualified investigators who are within 3 years of obtaining their PhD to carry out an independent research program. The research plan of each fellowship must address scientific questions within the scope of AGS disciplines. The program supports researchers for a period of up to 2 years with fellowships that can be taken to the institution or national facility of their choice. The program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential and provide them with experience in research that will broaden perspectives, facilitate interdisciplinary interactions and help establish them in leadership positions within the Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences community.
  • Eligibility: AGS Postdoctoral Research Fellowships are awards to individuals. Proposals are submitted directly by the fellowship candidate to NSF. Each candidate must identify one or more sponsoring scientist(s) and host institution(s) in the proposal. Activities supported by the AGS Fellowship program may be conducted at any appropriate U.S. or foreign host institution. Appropriate institutions include colleges and universities, private nonprofit institutes and museums, government installations and laboratories. Applicants must:
    • be U.S. citizens (or nationals) or legally admitted permanent residents of the United States (i.e., have a “green card”) at the time of application;
    • either currently be a graduate student, or have held a PhD degree in a scientific or engineering field for no more than 3 years prior to the award start date;
    • present research and education plans that fall within the purview of the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences at NSF; and
    • not have submitted concurrently the same project to another NSF program.
  • Funding: $86,000 to be awarded per year per fellowship during fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016.
  • Deadline: January 12, 2015
  • Contact: Amanda S. Adams
    Phone: (703) 292-8520 ext. 4708
    Email: amadams@nsf.gov
    Website: www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=ags

The Foundation Center

The Foundation Center has scheduled the following free training classes. Grant writing Grant-seeking Basics: January 10, 22 Attendees will learn how the center's resources help make them more effective grantseekers. For beginners, this introduction to the library provides instruction in foundation research and identification of potential funders. A tour of the library will follow. Introduction to Finding Funders: January 22 This class provides a hands-on introduction on how to use the center’s comprehensive online database – The Foundation Directory Online – to research and identify potential funders. The Foundation Directory Online contains over 100,000 profiles of grant-making institutions. Proposal Writing Basics: January 6, 21 Attendees will learn about the basics of writing a proposal for their nonprofit organization. Proposal Budgeting Basics: January 6 Attendees will learn how to prepare and present a budget in a grant proposal. This session is geared toward novice grantseekers. In addition: Classes are held at The Foundation Center, located at: New York Library
79 Fifth Ave. 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10003 Space is limited, so register as soon as possible. For additional training opportunities, to register, or for more information, call 212-620-4230 or visit www.foundationcenter.org.