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IHE G-News June 7, 2023

DWPA Staff on June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023
Federal Funding Opportunities

U.S. Department of Commerce; Economic Development Administration Build to Scale Program applications due July 28, 2023

The Build to Scale program aims to build public and private capacity for entrepreneurs and innovators to invent, improve, and bring to market new products and services in critical, emerging, and transformative sectors and industries. Under the Build to Scale Program, the Economic Development Administration is soliciting applications for the following two separate competitions the Venture Challenge and Capital Challenged.

The Venture Challenge seeks proposals that support technology entrepreneurship and accelerate company growth. The Venture Challenge seeks to start and speed up regional growth through technology-based economic development (TBED) and by strengthening regional innovation ecosystems that promote the commercialization of new technologies, grow industry clusters, and lead to more good-paying good jobs. This competition offers three funding levels—Build, Scale, and Ignite—designed for grantees to implement programming that reflects the maturity and capacity of their respective innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. New this year, the Ignite Challenge is designed to support the development of nascent technology-based ecosystems to build organizational capacity to design and implement TBED projects through feasibility studies, impact analyses, and planning to address regional innovation needs, including access to capital, and to build formal partnerships to lay the foundation for this type of work.

The Capital Challenge provides operational support for the formation, launch, or scale of investment funds that seek to raise equity-based capital to deploy in scalable startups (e.g., angel, seed, or venture funds) or for organizations that expand equity-based capital access and deployment within a community, region, or regional industry (e.g., angel networks or investor training programs).

U.S. Department of Commerce; National Institute of Standards and Technology Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development Program applications due August 7, 2023

This program supports activities to establish community-based partnerships to develop cybersecurity career pathways that address local workforce needs. A successful project will create the local conditions, e.g., infrastructure for education providers, employers, and others to develop cybersecurity education capabilities, to create an ecosystem equipped to fill a critical skills gap for the economy.

U.S. Department of Education; Office of Postsecondary Education Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program applications due July 31, 2023

This program supports the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education by providing grants to institutions of higher education for campus-based childcare services. Programs must aim to leverage significant local or institutional resources, including in-kind contributions, to support their activities. Programs must also utilize a sliding fee scale for childcare services to support a high number of low-income parents pursuing postsecondary education at the institution.

U.S. Department of Education; Institute of Education Sciences Transformative Research in the Education Sciences Grant Program applications due August 17, 2023

Through this program, the Institute of Education Sciences seeks to support innovative and unconventional research that has the potential to make dramatic advances towards solving seemingly intractable problems and challenges in the education field and/or to accelerate the pace of conducting education research to facilitate major breakthroughs. This year, the Transformative Research in the Education Sciences grant program will have a special focus on accelerating learning and reducing persistent education inequities by leveraging evidence-based principles from the learning sciences with advanced technology to create high-reward, scalable solutions.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Health Resources and Services Administration Primary Care Training and Enhancement-Language and Disability Access Program applications due July 3, 2023

The purpose of this program is to develop curricula and train medical students, physician assistant students, and primary care medical residents to provide high quality primary care services to individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals with physical disabilities, and/or individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the goals of improving health outcomes for these populations.

National Endowment for the Humanities; Division of Education Programs Dialogues on the Experiences of War Projects applications due September 7, 2023

This program supports projects that use humanities approaches and resources to explore the human experiences of war and military service and their repercussions for those directly and indirectly involved. While the forms and technologies of war and military engagement may change over time, deeper questions and connections persist and often find expression through the humanities. As such, Dialogue projects intend to enable veterans and civilians to consider their own experiences in light of these questions and within a broader context.

National Science Foundation Discovery Research PreK-12 Program applications due November 8, 2023

The goal of the Discovery Research PreK-12 program (DRK-12) is to catalyze research and development that enhances all preK-12 teachers’ and students’ opportunities to engage in high-quality learning experiences related to the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program’s objectives are to: build knowledge about how to develop preK-12 students’ and teachers’ STEM content knowledge, practices, and skills; support collaborative partnerships among STEM education researchers, STEM education practitioners and school leaders with the goals of extending relevant scientific literatures while developing more effective practice; and build the field of STEM education by supporting knowledge synthesis, interdisciplinary interactions across fields and stakeholders, and the development of novel and robust ways of assessing teacher and student learning, engagement, and skills. Outcomes of DRK-12 projects can include but are not limited to promising, evidence-based products that can be used by others to support the success of all teachers and all students e.g., curriculum, teaching and research tools, and models of collaboration.

National Science Foundation Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology preliminary proposals due December 1, 2023

The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program provides support to enhance the research capabilities of minority-serving institutions through the establishment of centers that effectively integrate education and research. CREST promotes the development of new knowledge, enhancements of the research productivity of individual faculty, and an expanded presence of students underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

Debt Limit Deal Done

DWPA Staff on June 2, 2023

Raises Debt Limit Until January 1, 2025

The U.S. Senate passed the bill to raise the debt limit late Thursday by a vote of 63-37 after rapid consideration of a series of amendments, none of which passed. Passage came with only 17 Republican votes and only after public assurances by Senate Majority Leader Schumer that a defense supplemental would be in order later this year to address the funding needed for Ukraine, as well as potential domestic needs including funding for natural disasters and the fentanyl crisis. President Biden is expected to sign the measure as early as today and address the nation from the Oval office this evening. After months of tense standoff between House Republicans and the White House, the deal that was reached:

  • Raises the debt limit through January 1, 2025
  • Enacts two years spending limits followed by additional years of targeted but not enforceable savings
  • Imposes work requirements for recipients of some but not all federal social programs
  • Implements limited energy project permitting reforms
  • Rescinds some unspent COVID funds
  • Repeals funding of new IRS agents this fiscal year

The House voted to pass the bill late Wednesday by a vote of 314-117. Speaker McCarthy secured almost two-thirds of his own Republican Conference in support of the measure, but was also aided by 165 Democrat votes to pass the measure in the House.

The debt deal is expected to bring some much-needed stability to U.S. and global financial markets, and for purposes of the remaining Congressional agenda for the year, the finalized deal will bring certainty to spending limits for both domestic and defense discretionary spending that will allow the annual appropriations process to proceed for FY2024. We anticipate a busy June and July mark-up season in both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, so stay tuned for mark-up updates from your WSW team members on each of the annual appropriations bills and outcomes on your specific requests.

In addition, there is a backlog of legislative and investigative items that have been held up due to work on the debt limit, so expect the June and July calendars to quickly fill up with Congressional action on those items as well. These will include action on the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), work toward the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, and continued action on competition with China as well as work on other priorities including on emergent issues of AI and data privacy, possible banking reform, high profile investigations planned by House Republicans, and ongoing efforts by the Biden Administration to tout and implement prior legislative victories in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that were untouched by the debt deal. This week the Senate also acted to stop the President’s planned student aid relief but failed to reach a veto-proof majority, though this same policy is pending before the Supreme Court for review and a ruling is expected soon. Last but not least, we’ll be watching as more contenders announce their entry into the 2024 Presidential race.

Debt Limit Deal Reached

DWPA Staff on May 29, 2023

House to vote Wednesday, Senate to follow

The announcement came late Saturday night that the White House and House Speaker McCarthy had reached a deal in principle to raise the debt ceiling. The House, which broke last Thursday for its previously scheduled Memorial Day recess, is expected to return to Washington to vote on the deal on Wednesday, May 31. The Senate will follow suit as soon as Friday, though votes may last into the weekend. The challenge now will be to assemble the actual votes necessary to pass the deal in the House and Senate with just days to go before the revised June 5th “X-date” when Treasury Secretary Yellen has stated the US Government will default on its debt.

Attached here is the White House statement on the deal.
Attached here is the House Republicans’ statement on the deal.

In announcing the deal, Speaker McCarthy said, “Normally you have 1,000-page bill, this is going to be less than 150 pages. Normally, the country doesn’t know about it until after it’s passed. Now, we’ll wait 72 hours. This is worthy of the American people. I want them to read it. I want them to understand it.” A copy of the bill text can be found here, and House Republicans’ section-by-section of the bill can be found here.

Key components of the deal include:

Suspends the debt limit through January 1, 2025. Typically, Congress has passed legislation increasing the debt limit to a specific dollar amount. This agreement simply suspends the debt limit for a period of approximately 20 months.

Imposes Spending Caps. The two-year agreement keeps non-defense funding essentially flat – about $637 billion – for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, which begins on October 1, 2023. Defense funding would be capped at the President’s Budget Request level – $886 billion, about a 3.5 percent increase over FY2023. Veterans’ medical care would also match the President’s Budget Request of $121 billion in FY2024.

Non-defense spending would increase by one percent in 2025, followed by six years of non-enforceable funding targets. Congress would have to pass all 12 of the annual funding bills by the end of January or face a Continuing Resolution (CR) that automatically cuts spending by one percent across the board unless and until individual appropriations bills are passed. This two-year agreement is far from the $130 billion in spending cuts House Republicans originally sought.

Expands work requirements. The bill expands work requirements under the SNAP food assistance program, as well as for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, though these expanded requirements will sunset in 2030. There are no new work requirements on Medicaid.

Changes energy permitting process. There are minimal changes to the current permitting process, adding “process efficiencies” to the decades-old law governing federal environmental reviews of projects, and calls for designating just one lead federal agency to review a particular permit. There have been pledges by negotiators, particularly House Republicans to their Senate counterparts, to continue to pursue permitting reform separate from this agreement. The deal keeps intact the hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy funding included in last year’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – funding that Republicans had sought to repeal.

Claws back unspent COVID aid. The deal includes the claw-back of unspent COVID relief funds as proposed by House Republicans.

Cuts funding for IRS. The increased funding for expanded IRS enforcement included as part of the IRA is partially cut. Republicans sought to repeal the entirety of the funding increase – $80 billion – but the deal repeals only the FY2023 portion of the funding increase.

Student loans. The deal would require borrowers to restart the payback of student loans, which was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement would maintain Biden’s plan to provide up to $20,000 in debt relief for qualifying borrowers, though that plan remains before the Supreme Court, which is expected to rule on it in coming weeks.

With Debit Limit Nearing Congress Goes Home for Memorial Day Weekend

DWPA Staff on May 26, 2023

Key Negotiators Remain in Washington to Reach a Deal

After another week of back-and-forth negotiations on the debit limit, Members of Congress headed home for the holiday weekend just days before what could be a catastrophic never before default on the nation’s debt. With the forecasted “X” date of June 1st, less than a week away, the principal negotiators continue work towards a deal to raise the debt limit.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy remains in Washington this weekend along with key negotiators to hammer out the final details of negotiations between his team and the White House. As is currently being reported, here is where the proposed deal stands:

  • Defense and Veterans funding will be protected from cuts;
  • The debt limit will be raised for at least two years through to 2024;
  • Discretionary spending limits will be also be put in place for at least two years;
  • Domestic spending limits are likely to be less than called for in the House Republican passed plan (FY22 levels);
  • There is also a rumored trigger for an automatic continuing resolution at agreed upon reduced spending levels in the event that appropriations bills are not agreed upon by a certain date;
  • Work requirements and permitting reform are outstanding items that are still being negotiated.

Members on the hard Right and far Left have expressed dismay to outright opposition to emergent details of the deal, signaling that Leaders negotiating the deal on both sides will both have to deliver votes to pass it.

Assuming these final sticking points can be agreed upon by Speaker McCarthy and President Biden, Members will receive 24 hours-notice to return to Washington and will have no less than 72 hours to review the “deal”; the House will act first followed by the Senate. The ability to get a deal passed in advance of Thursday seems all but impossible timing-wise but the deal could be announced as early as this weekend and the Treasury Department either has additional flexibilities to use or would need to prioritize payments on the US debt until such a deal is passed.

Local Government G-News May 24, 2023

DWPA Staff on May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023
Federal Funding Opportunities

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Natural Resources Conservation Service New Jersey NRCS Community Gardens/Farm Grants applications due June 23, 2023

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing the potential availability of funding for the purpose of leveraging Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) resources to encourage collaboration with partners in providing strategic conservation delivery assistance and/or provide tools or data that enhance the ability of the agency to support conservation activities.

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Natural Resources Conservation Service Community Agriculture Grants applications due July 7, 2023

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to encourage and promote conservation planning and conservation practice demonstrations in urban, suburban, and other small-scale type agricultural operations. Emphasis will be placed on projects that establish new community gardens or enhance and expand existing community agriculture projects. Proposals should seek to provide conservation learning experiences to urban, suburban, and Tribal communities; address concerns regarding food deserts; advance Tribal food sovereignty; and achieve positive and measurable natural resources conservation outcomes.

U.S. Department of Commerce; Economic Development Administration Tech Hubs Phase 1 applications due August 15, 2023

The Tech Hubs Program will support the modernization of United States manufacturing and improve commercialization and domestic production of innovative research. The Phase 1 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will fund Strategy Development Grants and will Designate certain regions as Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs). In a future Phase 2 NOFO, Designated Tech Hubs will compete for funding for Implementation projects to help propel the region into a self-sustaining, globally competitive Tech Hub. Only those that are Designated as Technology Hubs in Phase 1 will be permitted to apply to Phase 2. Only consortiums are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Each consortium must include Institutions of higher education; State, territorial, local, or Tribal governments; Industry or firms in relevant technology, innovation, or manufacturing sectors; Economic development organizations; and Labor or workforce training organizations.

U.S. Department of Energy; National Energy Technology Laboratory Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Joint Office of Energy and Transportation FY 2023 Ride and Drive Electric concept papers due June 16, 2023

The Ride and Drive Electric funding opportunity will seek to advance the mission and vision of the Joint Office by addressing discrete challenges to a convenient, affordable, reliable, secure, and equitable EV charging network by enhancing institutional capacity, encouraging holistic approaches, fostering inclusive and equitable outcomes, and ensuring a world-class customer experience.

U.S. Department of Energy Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Fixed Award Grant Program pre-applications due July 13, 2023

The Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program will provide financial investment, technical assistance, and other resources to advance clean energy demonstrations and energy solutions that benefit rural and remote communities. ERA aims to fund clean energy projects that deliver measurable benefits to energy customers in rural or remote areas by funding replicable energy projects that lower energy costs, improve energy access and resilience, and/or reduce environmental harm; support new rural or remote energy system models using climate-resilient technologies, business structures that promote economic resilience, new financing mechanisms, and/or new community engagement practices; and build clean energy knowledge, capacity, and self-reliance in rural America.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Closing the Gap with Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans applications due July 11, 2023

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the availability of funds to develop multi-sector action plans that address the social determinants of health (SDOH) by accelerating action in state, local, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions and communities that lead to improved chronic health conditions among Americans experiencing health disparities and inequality.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Health Resources and Services Administration Healthy Start Initiative-Enhanced applications due July 17, 2023

The purpose of the Healthy Start Enhanced (HSE) program is to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy and reduce the well-documented racial/ethnic differences in rates of infant death and adverse perinatal outcomes. HSE is intended to support projects in diverse communities and populations (e.g., rural, urban, non-Hispanic Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native [AI/AN]) experiencing the greatest disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. HSE has two focus areas: 1) providing direct and enabling services (e.g., screening and referrals, case management and care coordination, health, and parenting education, and linkage to clinical care to enrolled HSE participants; and 2) convening Community Consortia comprised of diverse multi-sector partners that advise and inform HSE activities and develop and implement plans to improve perinatal outcomes within the selected project area.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Healthy Families Community-Based Perinatal Health Initiative applications due July 18, 2023

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) intends to fund projects under the Healthy Families Community-Based Perinatal Health Initiative (COPHI) to develop innovative models for integrating community-based maternal support services (COMSS) into perinatal systems of care. OMH expects grant award recipients’ innovative models will improve pregnant and post-partum people’s health outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic disparities.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security; FEMA Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP) applications due July 24, 2023

The FY 2023 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP) provides funding to close known capability gaps, encourages innovative regional solutions to issues related to catastrophic incidents and builds on existing regional preparedness efforts. The purpose of the RCPGP is to build regional capacity to manage catastrophic incidents by improving and expanding collaboration for catastrophic incident preparedness.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Elements applications due June 29, 2023, September 28, 2023, January 4, 2024, and March 28, 2024

The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), authorized and funded by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, provides owners of HUD-assisted Multifamily housing with funding to reduce carbon emissions, improve utility efficiency, incorporate renewable energy sources, and make properties more resilient to climate hazards. Under GRRP, the Elements cohort provides gap funding for eligible HUD-assisted multifamily properties in the midst of a recapitalization transaction that includes utility efficiency, renewable energy, carbon emission reduction, and/or climate resilience measures. Examples of eligible Elements investments include, but are not limited to, the installation of electric HVAC heat pumps, Energy Star windows, fire-resistant roofs, and clean energy generation systems.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Leading Edge applications due July 31, 2023, October 31, 2023, January 31, 2024, and April 30, 2024

Under The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, Leading Edge awards provide funding for ambitious retrofit activities to achieve an advanced green certification. Best for HUD-assisted multifamily properties in the planning stages of a recapitalization effort, Leading Edge awards complement the existing financing strategy, allowing projects to reach the highest standards of utility efficiency and climate resilience.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Comprehensive applications due August 31, 2023, November 30, 2023, February 28, 2024, and May 30, 2024

Under The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), Comprehensive awards provide funding to properties with the highest need for climate resilience and utility efficiency upgrades, regardless of prior development or environmental retrofit experience.

U.S. Department of Justice; Bureau of Justice Assistance Virtual Reality De-escalation Site-Based Initiative Grants.gov deadline June 29, 2023, and JustGrants deadline July 6, 2023

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks applications from state, local, campus, and tribal law enforcement to enhance training via the utilization of fully immersive virtual reality-based technology. The training should improve responses to individuals in crisis and improve the de-escalation skills of participants. A plan for how the proposed technology will be integrated into the applicant agency’s existing training should be developed.

U.S. Department of Labor; Employment and Training Administration Critical Sector Job Quality Grants applications due July 17, 2023

The purpose of this demonstration program is to support transformative efforts to improve job quality and availability of good jobs, particularly for the benefit of historically marginalized populations and communities that have experienced barriers to employment in good jobs. The primary focus of these demonstration grants is expanding job quality in the care, climate resiliency and clean energy transition, and hospitality sectors. These demonstration grants will support industry-led, worker-centered sector strategies built through labor-management partnerships aimed at improving job quality in key sectors.

U.S. Department of Transportation; Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration FY 2023 Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant applications due July 24, 2023

The Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) grant’s eligible entities are municipality- or community-owned utilities, not including for-profit entities, needing assistance in repairing, rehabilitating, or replacing high-risk, leak-prone natural gas distribution infrastructure, or in acquiring equipment to reduce incidents and fatalities and avoid economic losses.

National Archives and Records Administration FY2024 Archival Projects applications due November 2, 2023

The National Archives seeks archival projects that will significantly improve online public discovery and use of historical records collections.

National Endowment for the Arts Grants for Arts Projects Part I applications due July 6, 2023, and Part II applications due July 18, 2023

Through project-based funding, the Grants for Arts program supports opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector.

National Endowment for the Humanities Public Humanities Projects applications due August 9, 2023

The Public Humanities Projects program supports projects that bring the ideas of the humanities to life for general audiences through public programming. Awards support projects that are intended to reach broad and diverse public audiences in non-classroom settings in the United States. Public Humanities Projects supports projects in three categories (Exhibitions, Historic Places, and Humanities Discussions), and at two funding levels (Planning and Implementation).

National Science Foundation Workplace Equity for Persons with Disabilities in STEM and STEM Education applications due September 19, 2023

This program supports fundamental, applied, and translational research that advances knowledge and practice about diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible STEM and STEM education workplaces and postsecondary training environments for persons with disabilities. Local school districts are eligible to submit proposals. Proposals should focus on one or more of the following three research themes:

  • Studying barriers and solutions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in STEM and STEM education workplaces and training settings for persons with disabilities;
  • Applying intersectional social identity perspectives to investigate characteristics and conditions of STEM and STEM education workplaces and training environments that limit and/or improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for persons with disabilities; and
  • Conducting use-inspired and solution-oriented translational research about diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible STEM and STEM Education workplaces and training settings for persons with disabilities

IHE G-News May 24, 2023

DWPA Staff on May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023
Federal Funding Opportunities

NEW: U.S. Department of Commerce; Economic Development Administration Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program Phase 1 applications due August 15, 2023

The purpose of this program is to drive regional technology and innovation-centric growth by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies. This program will invest directly in regions with the assets, resources, capacity, and potential to transform into globally competitive innovation centers in approximately ten years while catalyzing the creation of good jobs for American workers at all skill levels, both equitably and inclusively. Only those that are designated as “Technology Hubs” in Phase 1 will be permitted to apply to Phase 2. It is anticipated that the Notice of Funding Opportunity for Phase 2 will be released in fall 2023. This program targets key technology focus areas, which include:

  • Artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and related advances;
  • High performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware and software;
  • Quantum information science and technology;
  • Robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing;
  • Natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or mitigation;
  • Advanced communications technology and immersive technology;
  • Biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology;
  • Data storage, data management, distributed ledger technologies, and cybersecurity, including biometrics;
  • Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including but not limited to electric generation; and
  • Advanced materials science, including composites 2D materials, other next-generation materials, and related manufacturing technologies.

U.S. Department of Education; Education Innovation and Research Competition Early-Phase, Mid-Phase, and Expansion applications due July 12, 2023

The purpose of this program is to create, develop, implement, replicate, or take to scale entrepreneurial, evidence-based, and field-initiated innovations to improve student achievement and attainment for students with high needs. This program also aims to rigorously evaluate such innovations. The central design element of the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program is its multitier structure that links the amount of funding an applicant may receive to the quality of the evidence supporting the efficacy of the proposed project. Projects should build evidence to advance through EIR’s following grant tiers:

  • Early-phase: The development, implementation, and feasibility testing of a program, which prior research suggests has promise, for the purpose of determining whether the program can successfully improve student achievement and attainment for students with high needs;
  • Mid-phase: Expected to refine and expand the use of practices with prior evidence of effectiveness to improve outcomes for underserved and students with high needs; and
  • Expansion: The implementation and rigorous evaluation of a program that has been found to produce sizable, significant impacts under a Mid-phase grant or other effort meeting similar criteria, for the purpose of determining whether such impacts can be successfully reproduced and sustained over time, and identifying the conditions in which the program is most effective.

U.S. Department of Education; Office of Postsecondary Education Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program applications due July 17, 2023

The purpose of this program is to support institutions of higher education (IHEs) and other organizations that work directly with gang-involved youth to help such youth pursue higher education opportunities that will lead to a certification or a postsecondary credential. Programs can include apprenticeships or other workforce preparation programs that promote job readiness, while simultaneously providing essential wraparound services that include culturally competent social and emotional support.

NEW: U.S. Department of Energy; Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Ride and Drive Electric Program concept papers due June 16, 2023

The purpose of this program is to address discrete barriers to a future where everyone can ride and drive electric vehicles (EVs). Specifically, this program aims to directly advance the goal of building a national network of EV chargers for all Americans by supporting EV charging reliability, resiliency, equity, and workforce development. Topics of focus include:

  • Topic 1: Enhancing EV Charging Resiliency
  • Topic 2A: Community-Driven Models for Electric Vehicle Charging Deployment
  • Topic 2B: Workforce Development
  • Topic 3A: Increasing Commercial Capacity for Testing and Certification of High-Power Electric Vehicle Chargers
  • Topic 3B: Validating Public EV Charging Infrastructure Real-World Performance and Reliability

U.S. Department of Energy; Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Vehicle Technologies Office Program concept papers due June 26, 2023

The purpose of this program is to support research projects and innovative solutions for on-road and off-road vehicles to improve the fuel economy and reduce carbon (GHG) emissions with the goals of carbon pollution free electricity by 2035 and net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Research projects/innovative solutions should address priorities in the following areas:

  • The cost-effective deployment of electrical vehicle charging for those without easy home charging;
  • Improved mobility options for underserved communities;
  • Community engagement to accelerate clean transportation options in underserved communities;
  • Batteries and electrification;
  • Materials technologies;
  • Mobility system supporting public transportation; and
  • Advanced vehicle charging solutions, including dimethyl ether engines for off-road applications and hydrogen combustion engines.

U.S. Department of Energy; Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Fixed Award Grant Program pre-applications due July 17, 2023

The purpose of this program is to fund clean energy projects with three specific goals:

  • Deliver measurable benefits to energy customers in rural or remote areas by funding replicable energy projects that lower energy costs, improve energy access and resilience, and/or reduce environmental harm;
  • Support new rural or remote energy system models using climate-resilient technologies, business structures that promote economic resilience, new financing mechanisms, and/or new community engagement practices; and
  • Build clean energy knowledge, capacity, and self-reliance in rural America.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Office of Research and Development National Priorities: Evaluation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Wastewater and Sewage Sludge Treatment and its Impact on the Environment Program applications due August 16, 2023

The purpose of this program is to support research that addresses knowledge gaps in the occurrence, fate and transport, and persistence of antimicrobial resistant organisms and genes found in municipal wastewater effluent and biosolids. This program also requests research on combined sewer overflows, septic systems, and small wastewater systems. Research projects should provide a better understanding of the impact of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) on receiving waters, including information on the relative contribution of ARB and ARGs from wastewater as compared to other sources, such as animal agriculture, animal husbandry, hospital sources, and direct industrial sources. Research projects should also support the development of frameworks and methodologies for quantifying risk related to antimicrobial resistance in treated wastewater discharge, water reuse, biosolids and biosolids-type products, land application, and beneficial use.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Centers for Disease Control Centers for Outbreak Analytics and Disease Modeling letters of intent due June 14, 2023

The purpose of this program is to develop a network of innovators to design, prototype, test, refine, evaluate, and implement new and enhanced capabilities to improve disease modeling and analytics that enhance decision-making during outbreaks of infectious diseases. Partnership and collaboration between academia, public health organizations, and the private sector is at the core of this program. This program also aims to support the U.S. public health system in responding more effectively to infectious disease threats by enabling a pipeline of research and development for novel data sources, modeling methods, and analytical tools that test promising innovations in real-world settings and then support the scale-up of successful innovations into routine practice.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Health Resources and Services Administration Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention Simulation Education Training Program applications due July 3, 2023

The purpose of this program is to enhance nurse education and strengthen the nursing workforce by increasing training opportunities for nursing students through simulation-based technology, including equipment to increase their readiness to practice upon graduation. This program expands the capacity of nurses to advance the health of patients, families, and communities in rural or medically underserved areas experiencing diseases and conditions, such as stroke, heart disease, behavioral health, maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, and obesity.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Health Resources and Services Administration Healthy Start Initiative – Enhanced applications due July 17, 2023

The purpose of this program is to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy, and to reduce the well documented racial/ethnic differences in rates of infant deaths and adverse perinatal outcomes. The program intends to fund projects in diverse communities and populations (e.g., rural, urban, non-Hispanic Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native) experiencing the greatest disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. The program has two focus areas:

  • Direct services – Screening and referrals, case management, care coordination, health and parenting education, and linkage to clinical care to enrolled Healthy Start Initiative – Enhanced (HSE) participants; and
  • Convene Community Consortia – Comprised of diverse, multi-sector partners that advise and inform HSE-related activities and develop and implement plans to improve perinatal outcomes within the selected project area(s).

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Office of Minority Health Healthy Families Community-Based Perinatal Health Initiative applications due July 18, 2023

The purpose of this program is to support effective approaches for improving health outcomes with the goal of promoting dissemination and sustainability of these approaches. Projects should develop innovative models for integrating community-based maternal support services (COMSS) into perinatal systems of care. COMSS are social and supportive services that address social determinants of health, such as health literacy, pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting education; cultural and linguistic diversity; exposure to trauma; housing; food; and transportation. Services are to be provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and post-delivery by trained individuals, such as doulas and community health workers.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; National Institutes of Health; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Awards Supporting Cutting-Edge Technologies for Translational Science Program applications due July 19, 2023

The purpose of this program is to foster investigator-initiated development of highly innovative technologies to address barriers, limitations, or bottlenecks in translational science, particularly for therapeutic development. This program supports early-stage proof of concept, high-risk and potentially high-reward studies for feasibility, and exploratory technology development that transforms or significantly improves the efficiency of therapeutic development to achieve the ultimate goal of, “more treatments to all people more quickly.” The research proposed should be for the development of technology that can break new ground or extend present technology toward new directions or novel applications. This initiative will also support the development and/or prototyping of new technologies that lead to improved efficiency in the therapeutic development pipeline.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; National Institutes of Health; National Library of Medicine Grants for Scholarly Works in Biomedicine and Health applications due February 26, 2024

The purpose of this program is to support the preparation of book-length manuscripts and other works of academic and/or public health importance to U.S. health professionals, public health officials, biomedical researchers, and historians of the health sciences. Grants can be used to support several types of projects of academic and/or public health policy value, including but not limited to:

  • Works focusing on the history or philosophy of medicine, public health, and life sciences, as well as the development of medical research and health services, bioethics, and studies on the interrelationship of medicine and society;
  • Works focusing on the history or philosophy of biomedical informatics, computational biology, health information sciences, health communications, or health sciences librarianship; and
  • Analytical and comprehensive critical reviews that identify the present status of research and practice in various health-related fields, address advances that have been made and problems requiring examination, and emerging trends.

National Archives and Records Administration; National Historical Publications and Records Commission Archival Projects applications due November 2, 2023

The purpose of this program is to fund archival projects that significantly improve online public discovery and use of historical records collections. Projects should engage the public, expand civic education, and promote understanding of the nation’s history, democracy, and culture from the founding era to the present day. The Commission encourages projects focused on collections of America’s early legal records, such as the records of colonial, territorial, county, early statehood, and tribal proceedings that document the evolution of the nation’s legal history.

National Endowment for the Arts Grants for Arts Projects applications due to grants.gov July 6, 2023 and to the NEA portal July 18, 2023

The purpose of this program is to support opportunities for public engagement within the arts and arts education to integrate the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector. Areas of focus include Arts Education; Dance; Design; Folk and Traditional Arts; Literary Arts; Media Arts; Music; Musical Theater; Opera; Presenting and Multidisciplinary Arts; Theater; and Visual Arts.

National Endowment for the Humanities Public Humanities Projects applications due August 9, 2023

The purpose of this program is to support projects that bring the ideas and insights of the humanities to life for general audiences through in-person, hybrid, or virtual programming. Projects must engage humanities scholars to analyze significant themes in disciplines, such as history, literature, ethics, and art history. Projects should aim to be grounded in sound humanities scholarship. Scholars should also plan to analyze underlying themes and ideas that deepen public understanding of the humanities, involve humanities scholars from outside the applicant organization in all phases of the project, attract a broad public audience or target a particular underserved group, offer engaging content approached through an appropriate variety of perspectives, and encourage dialogue and the exchange of ideas.

National Endowment for the Humanities Humanities Connections Planning and Implementation applications due September 7, 2023

The purpose of this program is to expand the role of the humanities in undergraduate education at two- and four-year institutions by encouraging partnerships between humanities faculty and their counterparts in other areas of study. Awards support the planning or implementation of curricular projects connecting the humanities to the physical and natural sciences and pre-service or professional programs, including law and business, computer science, data science, and other technology-driven fields or other non-humanities departments or schools. Projects must incorporate the approaches and learning activities of both the humanities and the non-humanities disciplines involved.

National Science Foundation issues Dear Colleague Letter for Clean Energy Technology Proposals

The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites interdisciplinary groups of Principal Investigators to develop potentially transformative, convergent, fundamental research proposals in the area of clean energy technologies. Two kinds of proposals will be considered: Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (RAISE) and Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER). NSF seeks to support new research that advances Clean Energy Technologies and increases the use of clean energy sources to benefit all sectors of the economy, to ensure social justice, and to contribute to the public good. Advances in custom-designing and producing materials for energy-efficient technologies, electrification of the U.S. economy including the transportation sector and the chemical industry, as well as developing new approaches to harnessing energy from renewable sources in green and sustainable ways, are critical for developing practical approaches to achieving a carbon-neutral and equitable economy. Proposals that address barriers and opportunities for technology adoption, economic and societal impacts of technology development, social justice considerations, or social and environmental sustainability of clean energy technologies are strongly encouraged.

National Science Foundation issues Dear Colleague Letter focused on Advancing Microelectronics Education

This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) encourages submission of education proposals in all settings, both formal and informal, that will excite, motivate, and prepare students for participation in the microelectronics industry of the future in response to the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. NSF is accepting proposals to conduct education-related research and development to prepare a diverse microelectronics workforce beginning with the early preparation of K-12 students in and outside of school settings and extending through undergraduate, graduate and other levels of adult learning. This DCL encourages proposals that will inspire, study and support learners’ interest and motivation to pursue education pathways and careers in microelectronics. Successful projects should engage students and learners in activities that will build knowledge and skills in STEM needed for the microelectronics workforce of the future.

NEW: National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator Phases 1 letters of intent due July 11, 2023

The purpose of this program is to address national-scale societal challenges through use-inspired convergence research. Using a convergence approach and innovation processes, such as human-centered design, user discovery, and team science and integration of multidisciplinary research, the Convergence Accelerator program seeks to transition basic research and discovery into practice to solve high-impact societal challenges aligned with the following research tracks:

  • Equitable Water Solutions: Build upon foundational knowledge and advancements in environmental sciences, geosciences, engineering, computing, social and behavioral sciences, as well as other areas to develop viable solutions for water quality, quantity, and equity issues;
  • Real-World Chemical Sensing Applications: Develop novel energy efficient and miniaturized or portable biological and chemical sensors for tangible applications; and
  • Bio-Inspired Design Innovations: Bring together scientists and practitioners to develop concepts, approaches, and technologies that build and control in the same way nature does, capitalizing on millions of years of evolution, to find novel solutions to major societal and economic challenges.

NEW: National Science Foundation Expanding TRIPODS through Partnerships applications due August 16, 2023

The Expanding Transdisciplinary Research in Principles of Data Science through Partnerships (XTRIPODS) program, which leverages the existing TRIPODS program, seeks to expand the diversity of participation in data science research that advances the field, conduct responsible data science research through more inclusive participatory design, and promote positive societal outcomes of data science innovation. Activities are intended to be a driving force for strengthening and diversifying research and education pathways and provide historically marginalized communities with new opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers. Funding will support partnerships between the current TRIPODS Phase II Institutes and IHEs that do not traditionally receive significant amounts of funding. Only institutions that are not classified as Carnegie Research 1 (R1) universities are eligible, and non-R1 Minority-Serving Institutions, women’s colleges, and institutions that primarily serve persons with disabilities, as well as Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions, are especially encouraged to apply.

National Science Foundation Decision, Risk, and Management Sciences Grants applications due August 18, 2023

The purpose of this program is to support scientific research directed at increasing the understanding and effectiveness of decision-making by individuals, groups, organizations, and society. This grant supports research with solid foundations in theories and methods of the social and behavioral sciences. Research projects should advance knowledge, address fundamental scientific and societal issues, and have strong and broad impacts. This program funds disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, doctoral dissertation research improvement grants, and conferences in the following areas: judgment and decision-making; decision analysis and decision aids; risk analysis, perception, and communication; societal and public-policy decision-making; and management science and organizational design.

National Science Foundation Economics Program applications due August 18, 2023

The purpose of this program is to support research designed to improve the understanding of the processes and institutions of the U.S. economy and of the world system of which it is a part. This program also strengthens both empirical and theoretical economic analysis and the methods for rigorous research on economic behavior. The program supports research in almost every area of economics, including econometrics, economic history, environmental economics, finance, industrial organization, international economics, labor economics, macroeconomics, mathematical economics, and public finance.

National Science Foundation Community Infrastructure for Research in Computer and Information Science and Engineering Program applications due September 8, 2023

The purpose of this program is to fund the creation and enhancement of world-class research infrastructure that will support diverse communities of computer and information science and engineering (CISE) researchers. This support involves developing the accompanying user services and engagement needed to attract, nurture, and grow a robust research community that is actively involved in determining directions for the infrastructure, as well as management of the infrastructure. This should lead to research infrastructure that can be sustained through community involvement and community leadership, and that will enable advances not possible with existing research infrastructure. This program supports four classes of awards, including:

  • Planning Community Infrastructure – Supports planning efforts to engage research communities to develop new CISE community research infrastructures.
  • Exploratory Development – Supports activities that involve the validation of one or more unproven infrastructure design(s) and/or technologies, which could enable a transformative community research infrastructure in the future.
  • Medium Community Infrastructure – Supports the creation of a new CISE community research infrastructure or the enhancement of an existing CISE community research infrastructure with integrated tools, resources, user services, and research community outreach to enable innovative CISE research opportunities to advance the frontiers of core CISE research areas.
  • Grand Community Infrastructure – Supports projects involving significant efforts to develop a new CISE community research infrastructure or to enhance and sustain an existing CISE community research infrastructure to enable world-class CISE research opportunities for broad-based communities of CISE researchers that extend well beyond the awarded organization(s).

National Science Foundation Workplace Equity for Persons with Disabilities in STEM and STEM Education applications due September 19, 2023

This program supports fundamental, applied, and translational research that advances knowledge and practice about diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible STEM and STEM education workplaces and postsecondary training environments for persons with disabilities. Proposals should focus on one or more of the following three research themes:

  • Studying barriers and solutions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in STEM and STEM education workplaces and training settings for persons with disabilities;
  • Applying intersectional social identity perspectives to investigate characteristics and conditions of STEM and STEM education workplaces and training environments that limit and/or improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for persons with disabilities; and
  • Conducting use-inspired and solution-oriented translational research about diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible STEM and STEM Education workplaces and training settings for persons with disabilities

National Science Foundation Boosting Research Ideas for Transformative and Equitable Advances in Engineering Program applications due September 28, 2023

This program aims to help experienced researchers gain knowledge from a different discipline and use it to forge new directions in their research field, or explore divergent, bold, and ambitious research ideas where the expected scientific outcomes are highly uncertain and the potential to transform a field is significant. The solicitation includes three funding tracks:

  • BRITEPivot Track – Intended to enable researchers to quickly adapt to the fast-moving pace of research by either leveraging their experience when pursuing a pivot into a field of research where they have no proven track record, or by incorporating research tools and methodologies from other fields of research to advance knowledge in their areas of expertise.
  • BRITERelaunch Track – Intended to enable researchers who have had a hiatus in research activity to relaunch back into active research by reestablishing a foundation for sustained productivity and broader impacts in the context of a research idea with significant potential for advancing knowledge.
  • BRITEFellow Track – Intended to support researchers who have demonstrated significant impact through and beyond scientific output to request extended time and freedom to use their intellectual creativity to explore divergent, bold, and ambitious research ideas where the expected scientific outcomes are highly uncertain and therefore, high risk.

Local Government G-News May 10, 2023

DWPA Staff on May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023
Federal Funding Opportunities

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program – Update and Reissue applications due June 14, 2023

The purpose of the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction (LHR) grant program is to maximize the number of children under the age of six protected from lead poisoning by assisting states, cities, counties/parishes, Native American Tribes, or other units of local government in undertaking comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately-owned rental or owner-occupied housing populations. In addition, there is Healthy Homes Supplemental funding available that is intended to enhance the lead-based paint hazard control activities by comprehensively identifying and addressing other housing hazards that affect occupant health.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program applications due June 27, 2023

The purpose of the Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program is to assist states; Federally-recognized Native American Tribes that have an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-authorized lead abatement certification program; cities, and counties/parishes, or other units of local government which have not received a HUD lead hazard control grant or been a sub-recipient of such a grant since January 1, 2010, in developing the infrastructure necessary to undertake comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately owned rental or owner-occupied housing.

U.S. Department of the Interior; National Park Service FY2023 ABPP – Battlefield Interpretation Grant applications due August 9, 2023

The newly authorized Battlefield Interpretation Grant (BIG) program empowers recipients to modernize and enhance battlefield education and interpretation – to inspire wonder, understanding and empathy at the places that witnessed some of our nation’s most challenging events. This grant program encourages the use of technology to connect with visitors through videos, mobile apps, interpretive signs, augmented reality and more.

U.S. Department of Transportation; Federal Highway Administration Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program applications dues June 26, 2023

The Reduction of Truck Emissions (RTEPF) Grant Program is a new program created as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will 1) study how ports and intermodal port transfer facilities would benefit from increased opportunities to reduce emissions at ports, including through the electrification of port operations, 2) study emerging technologies and strategies that may help reduce port-related emissions from idling trucks, and 3) coordinate and provide funding to test, evaluate, and deploy projects that reduce port-related emissions from idling trucks, including through the advancement of port electrification and improvements in efficiency, focusing on port operations, including heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and other related projects.

National Endowment for the Arts FY2024 Our Town Part I application deadline August 3, 2023, and Part II application deadline August 17, 2023

Our Town is the National Endowment for the Arts’ creative placemaking grants program. Through project-based funding, the Our Town grant supports projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities over the long term. Successful Our Town projects demonstrate a specific role for arts, culture, and design as part of strategies for strengthening local communities, ultimately centering equity and laying the groundwork for long-term systems change tailored to community needs and opportunities. All applications are submitted by one organization and require one partner organization. The applicant/partner pair must include 1) a nonprofit organization and 2) a local government or quasi-government entity.

National Endowment for the Humanities Media Projects applications due August 9, 2023 and January 10, 2024

The Media Projects program supports collaboration between media producers and scholars to develop content grounded in humanities scholarship and prepare documentary films, radio, and podcasts that engage public audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways.

National Endowment for the Humanities Climate Smart Humanities Organizations applications due September 14, 2023

The Climate Smart Humanities program supports comprehensive assessment and strategic planning efforts by humanities organizations to mitigate physical and operational environmental impacts and adapt to a changing climate. Projects will result in climate action and adaptation planning documents or similar detailed assessments including prioritized, measurable actions and their expected outcomes. Proposals must address how strategic planning for climate change will increase the organization’s resilience and support its work in the humanities over the long term.

IHE G-News May 10, 2023

DWPA Staff on May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023
Federal Funding Opportunities

U.S. Department of Agriculture; National Institute of Food and Agriculture releases request for Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Education and Workforce Development applications

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s Education and Workforce Development program focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. This fiscal year applications are requested in the following areas:

  • Professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals,
  • Non-formal education that cultivates food and agricultural interest in youth,
  • Workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges,
  • Training of undergraduate students in research and extension, and
  • Fellowships for predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars.

Program Area Priorities and deadlines:

  • Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates: August 17, 2023
  • Postdoctoral Fellowships: September 7, 2023
  • Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy: September 14, 2023
  • Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges: September 21, 2023
  • Predoctoral Fellowships: October 26, 2023
  • Food and Agricultural Non-formal Education: December 7, 2023

U.S. Department of Defense; Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences issues Broad Agency Announcement for Basic, Applied, and Advanced Scientific Research

The Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) sets forth research areas of interest for basic, applied, and advanced technology development that can improve human performance and Army readiness.

U.S. Department of Education; Office of Elementary and Secondary Education American History and Civics Education National Activities Program applications due July 12, 2023

The purpose of the American History and Civics Education National Activities Program is to promote new and existing evidence-based strategies to encourage innovative American history, civics and government, geography instruction, learning strategies, and professional development activities/programs for teachers, principals, or other school leaders, including instruction, strategies, activities and programs that benefit students from low-income backgrounds and other underserved populations.

U.S. Department of Education; Office of Education Programs Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities Program-Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention and Related Services Personnel at Minority Serving Institutions applications due July 14, 2023

The purpose of this program is to help address state-identified needs for personnel preparation in special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education to work with children, including infants, toddlers, and youth with disabilities and to ensure that those personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge, derived from practices that have been determined through scientifically-based research, to be successful in serving children with disabilities.

U.S. Department of Justice; Office on Violence Against Women Research and Evaluation Initiative Grants.gov deadline June 29, 2023 and JustGrants deadline July 5, 2023

The purpose Research and Evaluation Initiative is to research and evaluate approaches to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (VAWA crimes) to generate more knowledge about strategies for serving victims and holding offenders accountable to better equip communities to align their work with practices that are known to be effective. These communities will also be more capable of generating empirical knowledge on the efficacy of new and promising ways to address VAWA crimes. This initiative is designed to support researcher-practitioner partnerships and a broad range of research and evaluation methods, including qualitative, mixed-method, quasi-experimental, and experimental designs. This initiative prioritizes the following topics:

  • Justice: Ways the justice system can effectively pursue and achieve justice in cases involving VAWA crimes, with justice broadly understood to include autonomy for victims, accountability for offenders, procedural fairness for all, and restorative justice.
  • Victims’ needs: How victimization and its aftermath affect people’s lives, and what victims need in order to cope, heal, and achieve safety and justice.
  • Cultures, disparities, and access: Ways that cultural differences and social inequalities matter in terms of where and to whom people go for help, and whether people can access justice and get services that are useful to them.
  • Impact: Short- and long-term impact of the justice system’s response, victim services, and other VAWA-funded interventions on victim safety and offender accountability.
  • Indicators of success: What success looks like and how to measure it—for victims pursuing safety and justice, for offenders being held accountable for their violence, and for people who work with victims and offenders.
  • Reducing recidivism: How to prevent violence from recurring.

National Endowment for the Humanities; Division of Public Programs Media Project applications due August 9, 2023

The purpose of the Media Projects Program is to support collaboration between media producers and scholars to develop content grounded in humanities scholarship as well as prepare documentary films, radio, and podcasts that engage public audiences in humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. Media Projects will be awarded at two levels:

  • Development (6-12 months) – These projects enable media producers to collaborate with scholars to develop humanities content and other program elements. Awards must result in a script or detailed treatment(s). Applicants may also use a Development award to plan for outreach and public engagement activities.
  • Production (1-3 years) – These projects must result in the production and distribution of radio, podcast, television, and documentary film projects.

National Endowment for the Humanities; Office of Challenge Programs Climate Smart Humanities Organizations Program applications due September 14, 2023

The purpose of the Climate Smart Humanities Organizations Program is to support comprehensive assessment and strategic planning efforts by humanities organizations to mitigate physical and operational environmental impacts and adapt to a changing climate. Projects are intended to result in climate action and adaptation planning documents or similar detailed assessments, including prioritized, measurable actions and their expected outcomes. Proposals must address how strategic planning for climate change will increase the organization’s resilience and support its work in the humanities over the long-term.

National Science Foundation releases request for information on Developing a Roadmap for the new Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships with comments due July 27, 2023

The National Science Foundation requests input from institutions and organizations across all sectors—industry, academia, non-profits, government, venture capital, and others—to inform the development of a roadmap for its newly-established Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate, in accordance with the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act of 2022. This legislation tasks the TIP Directorate with developing a roadmap to guide investment decisions in use-inspired and translational research over a the-year time frame, working towards the goal of advancing U.S. competitiveness in key technology focus areas and addressing the identified societal, national, and geostrategic challenges. Areas of focus include:

  • Use-inspired research;
  • Translation of research results to impact, and education, training;
  • Development of talent in the key technology areas; and
  • Societal, national, and geostrategic challenges.

National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program applications due August 29, 2023

The purpose of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (Noyce) is to address the critical need for recruiting, preparing, and retaining highly effective elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers as well as teacher leaders who persist as classroom teachers in high-need Local Education Agencies. To achieve this goal, Noyce supports talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate majors and professionals to become effective K-12 STEM teachers. It also supports experienced, exemplary K-12 STEM teachers to become teacher leaders who continue as classroom teachers in high-need school districts. In addition, the Noyce program supports research on the effectiveness and retention of K-12 STEM teachers in high-need school districts.

National Science Foundation Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education Program applications due December 13, 2023

The purpose of the Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education (ITYC) Program is to center students in the effort to advance innovation, promote equitable outcomes, and broaden participation for all students in STEM education at two-year colleges as well as enhance the capacity of two-year colleges to harness the talent and potential of their diverse student and faculty population through innovative disciplinary, multi-department, and college-wide efforts. Projects should contribute to student success in STEM-based foundational courses and academic pathways for both majors and non-majors. Project activities may be in any discipline that is currently supported by NSF funding, which includes the social, behavioral, and economic sciences. The ITYC program features two tracks:

  • Track 1: A Focus on the Academic Experiences of Two-Year College Students: The transformation of introductory, developmental or laboratory courses for both STEM majors and non-majors.
  • Track 2: Leveraging Institutional Strengths and Innovation: Professional development of faculty, staff, and administrators, expanding the roles of teaching and learning centers, or establishing a community of practice within or among institutions.

Biden Administration and Congress Face Renewed Pressure on Debt Limit

DWPA Staff on May 5, 2023

Treasury Secretary Yellen Says Default Could Occur June 1st

The House and Senate return next week with the clock ticking until the “X-Date” of June 1st by which the debt limit needs to be raised to avoid the first default in United States history, according to an announcement by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy successfully passed his debt limit extension proposal in the House last week, proposing to raise the debt limit in exchange for cuts in domestic discretionary spending to FY2022 levels and making significant changes to other existing federal programs.

President Biden has called all four Congressional leaders to the White House for a meeting on Tuesday, May 9th, in hopes of charting a path forward to address the debt limit. Late this week, the White House also floated the idea of a temporary extension of the debt limit through October 1, though the chances of House Republicans agreeing to it are slim. The Biden Administration continues to call for and seek a “clean” increase in the debt limit and both House and Senate Democrats are attempting to make the case that the House Republican plan would slash important programs for seniors, veterans, and the most needy Americans. House Democrats this week also unveiled a plan to use a “discharge petition” to force a House floor vote on a clean debt limit increase aimed to put pressure on moderate, swing district House Republicans. There are very few actual session days in May so it will be an intense and bumpy ride leading up to the announced June 1 “X-Date”, unless consensus is reached early by the Leaders and that consensus is one which will be supported by rank-and-file Members on both sides of the aisle.

Here’s what else you may have missed this week:

May action on FY2024 Appropriations has been scheduled. The House Appropriations Committee has announced scheduled subcommittee and full committee mark up dates. House Republicans will be marking up their bills to FY2022 levels, consistent with the legislation passed last week and $130bn less than current funding levels. How that funding will be divided between the subcommittees is not yet announced, but it is a significant drop in overall discretionary spending from current spending levels, and if Defense spending is spared – which many in the House are advocating for and is likely – the cuts to domestic discretionary spending will be even more dramatic. The relevant committee dates are as follows:

HOUSE FY2024 APPROPRIATIONS MARKUP SCHEDULE:
The House Appropriations Committee has announced its plans to hold the FY2024 markups in two tranches:

  • Tranche 1: Subcommittee 5/17 – 5/18; Full Committee 5/23 – 5/25
  • Tranche 2: Subcommittee 6/7 – 6/8; Full Committee 6/13 – 6/15

While there is no formal announcement about which bills will be considered during each tranche, some news reports indicate the first tranche of markups will include the following five bills: Defense; Energy & Water; Homeland Security; Military Construction & Veterans Affairs; and Legislative Branch.

SENATE FY2024 APPROPRIATIONS MARKUP SCHEDULE:
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray stated in a recent interview that the Senate Appropriations Committee is aiming to have its first markups on May 18, though that is not yet set. In addition, negotiations continue over the overall topline funding level that the Senate will use for its FY2024 bills. Unlike the House, Chair Murray and Ranking Member Susan Collins are reportedly negotiating the topline levels in a bipartisan manner and are not likely to adhere to the FY2022 levels proposed by the House.

More Congressional action is likely on competition with China. In the Senate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday plans to introduce a bipartisan bill to respond to recent Chinese aggression against Taiwan and to enhance economic competition with China. The bill itself, which will be introduced in the coming months will have 5 focus areas:

1. Blocking Chinese development of advanced technologies;
2. Restricting foreign investment in China;
3. Encouraging new domestic development of advanced technologies;
4. Creating an alternative to China’s “Belt and Road” initiative;
5. Preventing China from starting a war with Taiwan.

Schumer believes he can pass this legislation in the Senate with bipartisan support where it will need 60 votes to clear its first hurdle. It is uncertain if House Republicans will be as ready to take on this legislation after they voted against the related semiconductor bill in the previous Congress.

May 2023 – Vol. 12; Issue 5

DWPA Staff on May 1, 2023

Selling Season vs. The Debt Ceiling Drought

  • “Selling season” is upon us – the time of year when agencies have to dole out the balance of their current fiscal year funding
  • Historically, the government obligates the plurality of its budget in Q4, so this is the window to get actionable projects in front of buyers
  • In addition to “shovel ready” projects, maintain a cornucopia of contract vehicles so that buyers can choose how to reach you
  • Compared to FY21 and FY22, FY23 is in like a lamb and out like a lion, with light Q1/Q2 spending presaging a historically large Q3/Q4
  • Debt ceiling default could mean a halt on payments for contractors and could make it very difficult for the government to make new awards
  • Don’t sell your crop futures yet – DC weather changes frequently – get out there, sow your seeds, and hope the weather turns favorable

Historic Crop Reports

With the same predictability as the seasons changing, the federal government requires agencies to obligate their funding on programs, products, services, solutions, and other items right around this time of year, every year. Most discretionary spending requests must be “in the process” with federal acquisition officials by a July deadline to enable ultimate obligation of funds by September 30. We call this time of the year selling season, because we know the government must put into writing the who, what, when, where, how, and how much they intend to spend this FY. This cyclicality results in a flurry of RFPs and other procurement actions as contract shops scramble to get it done in time. Industry also swings into action to get their solutions in front of customers in time to make the cut. The net result is a tendency to commit the plurality of funding obligations in Q4 of each government fiscal year, as is shown in the graphic to the right.

Seed Sowing Best Practices

If you are not prepared for the selling season storm, you may find yourself cleaning up the debris of missed opportunities in the months or even years to come. It may seem daunting, but opening an umbrella of best practices can help you better weather the storm. Prepare your proposal artifacts well in advance of agencies’ deadlines, invest in “shovel ready” solutions, and make sure customers can access you via their preferred vehicle. Increasing contract ceiling is the easy button for obligations, so socialize that and ensure you have sufficient remaining period of performance. Kick off projects now so that they can continue, despite the outcome of the debt ceiling negotiations. If the Treasury must reduce spending as a result of fiscal externalities, they may prioritize funding certain agencies/programs/projects over others, including certain mandatory programs. Strong relationships can be fertilizer through uncertain times so find teaming opportunities with organizations that have established relationships (or who might be considered agency “favorites”) inside target customers.

Discretionary spending by fiscal quarter infographic

Consulting The Farmer’s Almanac

Meteorologists are predicting that we could see a different spending pattern this year because of the debt limit crisis. Q1 spending has been relatively flat over the last three years. While Q2 saw a large spike in FY21, Q4 is consistently where we see the healthiest harvest with spending reaching its peak. FY22 was an extreme example due to the late passage of the budget. Given the slow start to the year, FY23 was shaping up to be the biggest year end in quite some time. The debt limit crisis could be the drought that wipes out the whole harvest. A debt default would temporarily halt federal spending and with the June 1 action date, contractors could experience stop payments on current work and stagnant new awards. On the other side, Q4 might be the harvest of a decade if the debt ceiling is resolved and there is a rush to get money out the door. This would equate to appropriating three quarters of the budget in the remaining third of the year.

Drought, Hail, and Locusts

In January, the US reached the statutory debt limit. Since then, the Treasury Department has utilized short term measures to delay potential default. If the Treasury is unable to continue these short-term delays, the fallout from a default would be unprecedented. Across the entire federal government, the focus would shift to payments to bond holders, then payroll for government employees and essential employees, and funding for critical programs. On May 1, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen wrote to Congress, warning that the default can happen as soon as June 1. In response, the government has floated a wide range of ideas including the idea of issuing a trillion-dollar coin to temporarily absolve the debt ceiling. More conventional measures include capping discretionary spending, creating new committees to reform existing spending programs, or increasing revenues through greater taxation. If the debt limit is not increased in time, agencies would have to make cutbacks which, among other things, could decimate the FY23 federal appropriations crop.

Best Practices to Grow your Garden During Selling Season

  • Compile marketing materials, white papers, proposals, and other artifacts early to avoid last minute scrambles
  • Stay aware of agency trigger dates, windows, and deadlines as some operate on different schedules
  • Leverage agency relationships: know what solutions they are looking for and tailor your capabilities to see where they address or can be adapted to meet mission needs
  • Be ready to showcase a large catalog of capabilities – oftentimes agencies have trouble allocating money this time of year if the projects are not “shovel ready”
  • If you miss a window, continue working your established pipeline and seek alternatives to get your solutions on contract
  • Monitor debt ceiling negotiations and agency directives as their actions can vary widely as was the case with shutdowns and COVID responses
  • Do not neglect your post-September pipeline, as the selling season should supplement, not replace, your current pipeline with shutdowns and COVID responses
  • Limit lengthy summer vacations for proposal staff and be ready for compressed schedules

Jessica Butturff
703-786-1841
Jessica.Butturff@dwpassociates.com

Jonas Marrello
631-398-0502
Jonas.Marrello@dwpassociates.com

Kelly Moore
757-510-1111
Kelly.Moore@dwpassociates.com

 

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