Hello from the BellTower Team! This month’s newsletter features an abundance of opportunities for transportation improvements. There are also some opportunities for broadband for underserved communities and we anticipate FDEP’s FRDAP to be released any day now. You also still have time to submit your applications for Resilient Florida. But the deadline will be here before we know it, so if you would like to apply for it or any of the other grants on this newsletter, please click the “Schedule a call” button to schedule a call with us today and discuss your project ideas.
FY24 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program
Department of Transportation
Due Date: August 29, 2024
Match: 20%
Funding: Up to $1,000,000,000 total funding available
Department of Transportation
Due Date: August 29, 2024
Match: 20%
Funding: Up to $1,000,000,000 total funding available
The purpose of SS4A grants is to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through safety action plan development and refinement and implementation focused on all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, personal conveyance and micromobility users, and commercial vehicle operators. The program provides funding to help strengthen a community’s approach to roadway safety and save lives and is designated to meet the needs of diverse local, Tribal, and regional communities that differ dramatically in size, location, and experience administering Federal funding.
The SS4A program provides funding for two main types of grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants for comprehensive safety action plans, including supplemental safety planning, and/or safety demonstration activities to inform an Action Plan. To be eligible for an Implementation Grant, an applicant must have an existing qualifying Action Plan in place while Planning and Demonstration grants fund the development of an Action Plan.
FY24 Notice of Interest for Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC Program
Florida Department of Emergency Management
Due Date: August 30, 2024
Match: Varies
Funding: TBD
Ahead of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Application Period for the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) programs, the Florida Division of Emergency Management Bureau is requiring the submittal of the attached Notice of Interest (NOI) Form. All sub-applicants interested in submitting a sub-application for FMA or BRIC must fill out the NOI Form and submit it to the Non-Disaster Programs email, non-disasterprograms@em.myflorida.com by 5PM on August 30, 2024.
Resilient Florida Planning Grants
The SS4A program provides funding for two main types of grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants for comprehensive safety action plans, including supplemental safety planning, and/or safety demonstration activities to inform an Action Plan. To be eligible for an Implementation Grant, an applicant must have an existing qualifying Action Plan in place while Planning and Demonstration grants fund the development of an Action Plan.
FY24 Notice of Interest for Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC Program
Florida Department of Emergency Management
Due Date: August 30, 2024
Match: Varies
Funding: TBD
Ahead of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Application Period for the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) programs, the Florida Division of Emergency Management Bureau is requiring the submittal of the attached Notice of Interest (NOI) Form. All sub-applicants interested in submitting a sub-application for FMA or BRIC must fill out the NOI Form and submit it to the Non-Disaster Programs email, non-disasterprograms@em.myflorida.com by 5PM on August 30, 2024.
Resilient Florida Planning Grants
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Due Date: September 1, 2024
Match: N/A
Funding: TBD
This grant supports resilience planning efforts, including further assessment of vulnerabilities of critical assets and applying with “Peril of Flood” statute, which helps to ensure coastal communities will recover and move forward faster after natural disasters.
Due Date: September 1, 2024
Match: N/A
Funding: TBD
This grant supports resilience planning efforts, including further assessment of vulnerabilities of critical assets and applying with “Peril of Flood” statute, which helps to ensure coastal communities will recover and move forward faster after natural disasters.
Resilient Florida Implementation Grants
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Due Date: September 1, 2024
Match: 50%
Funding: TBD
This grant provides funding for infrastructure projects that address risks identified in a local government vulnerability assessment.
Community Grants Program
Miami Dade Department of Cultural Affairs
Due Date: September 5, 2024
Match: 1:1
Funding: Up to $10,000 for major, annual recurring events
Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
Due Date: September 1, 2024
Match: 50%
Funding: TBD
This grant provides funding for infrastructure projects that address risks identified in a local government vulnerability assessment.
Community Grants Program
Miami Dade Department of Cultural Affairs
Due Date: September 5, 2024
Match: 1:1
Funding: Up to $10,000 for major, annual recurring events
The Community Grants (CG) Program is responsive on a quarterly basis to organizations developing small and large-scale community-based cultural (dance, theater, music, visual arts) programs, as well as projects and events, such as fairs, parades, neighborhood festivals, and publications that have a strong artistic component.
The CG panel considers projects with strong community involvement and/or outreach component. The CG Program is particularly sensitive to the needs of indigenous cultural neighborhood activities and projects encouraging the preservation of heritage, traditions, and culture, as well as social service organizations and cultural groups developing collaborative intervention projects using the arts.
A couple things to note: First time applicants and applicants submitting one-time cultural events are only eligible for up to $7500. Also, projects should take place between January 1-March 31st, 2025.
Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Due Date: September 23, 2024
Match: 20%
Funding: Up to $229,761,916 available per state
The RCE Program provides federal funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. Such projects will improve American rail infrastructure to enhance rail safety, improve the safety and health of communities, eliminate highway rail and pathway-rail grade crossings frequently blocked by trains, and reduce the impacts that freight movement and railroad operations may have on underserved communities.
Eligible projects include:
Due Date: September 23, 2024
Match: 20%
Funding: Up to $229,761,916 available per state
The RCE Program provides federal funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. Such projects will improve American rail infrastructure to enhance rail safety, improve the safety and health of communities, eliminate highway rail and pathway-rail grade crossings frequently blocked by trains, and reduce the impacts that freight movement and railroad operations may have on underserved communities.
Eligible projects include:
- Grade separation or closure, including through the use of a bridge, embankment, tunnel, or combination thereof;
- Track Relocation;
- The improvement or installation of protective devices, signals, signs, or other measures that improve safety, provided that such activities are related to a separation or relocation project described above;
- Other means to improve the safety and mobility of people and goods at highway-rail grade crossings (including technological solutions);
- A group of related projects described in bullets 1-5 that would collectively improve the mobility of people and goods; or
- The planning, environmental review, and design of an eligible project described in bullets 1-5
Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
U.S. Department of Commerce
Due Date: September 23, 2024
Match: 10%
Funding: Up to $12,000,000
The Digital Equity Grant Program will make funds available to a wide range of entities to address barriers of digital equity faced by Covered Populations. Proposed programs, projects, and activities will support efforts to achieve digital equity, promote digital inclusion activities, and spur greater adoption and meaningful use of broadband among Covered Populations.
Eligible projects include: development and implementation of digital inclusion activities benefitting one or more Covered Population; facilitation of the adoption of broadband in order to provide education and employment opportunities; implement training programs for Covered Populations that cover basic, advanced, and applied skills; implement workforce development programs; provide access to equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, and digital network technology for broadband services to Covered Populations at low to no cost; construct, upgrade, expand, or operate new or existing public access computing centers; any other project related to program purpose.
Due Date: September 23, 2024
Match: 10%
Funding: Up to $12,000,000
The Digital Equity Grant Program will make funds available to a wide range of entities to address barriers of digital equity faced by Covered Populations. Proposed programs, projects, and activities will support efforts to achieve digital equity, promote digital inclusion activities, and spur greater adoption and meaningful use of broadband among Covered Populations.
Eligible projects include: development and implementation of digital inclusion activities benefitting one or more Covered Population; facilitation of the adoption of broadband in order to provide education and employment opportunities; implement training programs for Covered Populations that cover basic, advanced, and applied skills; implement workforce development programs; provide access to equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, and digital network technology for broadband services to Covered Populations at low to no cost; construct, upgrade, expand, or operate new or existing public access computing centers; any other project related to program purpose.
T-Mobile Hometown Grants Program
T-Mobile Foundation
Due Date: September 30, 2024
Match: N/A
Funding: Up to $50,000 per applicant
The T-Mobile Hometown Grants Program helps fund projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers.
Eligible applicants include elected officials, town managers/employees, tribal leaders, or nonprofit community leaders from small towns with populations of less than 50,000.
Due Date: September 30, 2024
Match: N/A
Funding: Up to $50,000 per applicant
The T-Mobile Hometown Grants Program helps fund projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers.
Eligible applicants include elected officials, town managers/employees, tribal leaders, or nonprofit community leaders from small towns with populations of less than 50,000.
Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program
Department of Transportation
Due Date: September 30, 2024
Match: Varies based on grant type
Funding: $200,000,000
The BIL established the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program to help reconnect communities previously cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure. Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program aims to remove surface transportation structures (e.g. highways or viaducts) to increase connectivity in disadvantaged or underserved communities, improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation and foster equitable development and restoration.
The program supports related planning and capacity-building activities in these communities. The grant program supports equitable transportation planning and allows residents to become more active in remedying transportation infrastructure that has negatively impacted them and the surrounding environment. RCN includes three separate grant types: Community Planning Grants; Capital Construction Grants; and Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants.
Department of Transportation
Due Date: September 30, 2024
Match: Varies based on grant type
Funding: $200,000,000
The BIL established the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program to help reconnect communities previously cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure. Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program aims to remove surface transportation structures (e.g. highways or viaducts) to increase connectivity in disadvantaged or underserved communities, improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation and foster equitable development and restoration.
The program supports related planning and capacity-building activities in these communities. The grant program supports equitable transportation planning and allows residents to become more active in remedying transportation infrastructure that has negatively impacted them and the surrounding environment. RCN includes three separate grant types: Community Planning Grants; Capital Construction Grants; and Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants.
Beautification Program
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
Due Date: October 1, 2024
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $102,000
FDOT’s Beautification Grant Program aims to enhance the attractiveness of landscapes and facilities on the State Transportation System. Projects are typically installed on FDOT Right-of-Ways but can extend into publicly-owned properties that are contiguous and visible from the FDOT Right-of-Way. Eligible projects include: purchase and installation of plant materials, soil amendments and irrigation systems; and site preparation.
Applicants should work closely with their District Grant Coordinator throughout the application process. Draft grant applications are due to the District Coordinator by August 14, 2024 for review. Letters of authorization from District Coordinators should be submitted with applications.
Due Date: October 1, 2024
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $102,000
FDOT’s Beautification Grant Program aims to enhance the attractiveness of landscapes and facilities on the State Transportation System. Projects are typically installed on FDOT Right-of-Ways but can extend into publicly-owned properties that are contiguous and visible from the FDOT Right-of-Way. Eligible projects include: purchase and installation of plant materials, soil amendments and irrigation systems; and site preparation.
Applicants should work closely with their District Grant Coordinator throughout the application process. Draft grant applications are due to the District Coordinator by August 14, 2024 for review. Letters of authorization from District Coordinators should be submitted with applications.
Bridge Investment Program (BIP)
Department of Transportation
Due Date: November 1, 2024
Match: 20%
Funding: Up to $675,000,000 total funding for FY25
Department of Transportation
Due Date: November 1, 2024
Match: 20%
Funding: Up to $675,000,000 total funding for FY25
The Bridge Investment Program (BIP) provides funding to improve existing bridges in poor condition or at risk of falling into poor condition, and to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges.
Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants
US Environmental Protection Agency
Due Date: November 21, 2024
Match: N/A
Funding: Up to $2,000,000,000
EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.
This competition is being launched in order to meet the goals and objectives of two Executive Orders: EO 14008 and EO 13985 issued by the Biden Administration that demonstrate the EPA’s and Administration’s commitment to achieving environmental justice and embedding environmental justice into Agency programs.
Please note: This program requires a collaboration with a Community-Based Organization.
Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) Program
Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Due Date: Rolling
Match: N/A
Funding: TBD
This competition is being launched in order to meet the goals and objectives of two Executive Orders: EO 14008 and EO 13985 issued by the Biden Administration that demonstrate the EPA’s and Administration’s commitment to achieving environmental justice and embedding environmental justice into Agency programs.
Please note: This program requires a collaboration with a Community-Based Organization.
Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) Program
National Renewable Energy Library
Due Date: Rolling
Match: N/A
Funding: N/A
Due Date: Rolling
Match: N/A
Funding: N/A
The Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) Program reduces barriers to zero-emission bus deployment by providing school and transit bus fleets with free technical assistance to develop comprehensive and customized fleet electrification. Fleets also have the adoption of free deployment assistance from NREL at the completion of their plan.
Please note: CBPA is not an incentive program, and fleets do not receive direct funding–rather selected applicants will be allocated technical assistance resources by NREL.
Please note: CBPA is not an incentive program, and fleets do not receive direct funding–rather selected applicants will be allocated technical assistance resources by NREL.
Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Due Date: Rolling
Match: N/A
Funding: TBD
The FWC, pursuant to sections 206.606 and 823.11 F.S., has established a program to provide grants to reimburse local governments for removing derelict vessels from the public waters of the state. The program is funded by an appropriation from the Florida Legislature.
The FWC’s Derelict Vessel Grant Guidelines allow for receipt of grant applications on a continuing basis with no deadlines as long as funding is available. The FWC will pay for 100% reimbursement to the grantee for all eligible vessels in the grant contract.
The FWC’s Derelict Vessel Grant Guidelines allow for receipt of grant applications on a continuing basis with no deadlines as long as funding is available. The FWC will pay for 100% reimbursement to the grantee for all eligible vessels in the grant contract.
On the horizon…
Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program (FRDAP)
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Due Date: Expected to be released August 1, 2024
Match: Varies
Funding: Up to $200,000 per award
This competitive, reimbursement grant program provides financial assistance for acquisition or development of land for public outdoor recreation.
Due Date: Expected to be released August 1, 2024
Match: Varies
Funding: Up to $200,000 per award
This competitive, reimbursement grant program provides financial assistance for acquisition or development of land for public outdoor recreation.
Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program
US Environmental Protection Agency
Due Date: Typically opens in Late Summer/Early Fall
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $19,000,000 allocated for FY2022-2026
Under the authorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA established the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program to assist underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities for the purpose of increasing drinking water facility resilience to natural hazards. Eligible applicants include public water systems, water systems located on areas governed by Tribes, and States on behalf of underserved communities.
EPA seeks to support these communities at the drinking water system level to overcome challenges caused by operational, environmental, and financial resource issues they face. This funding aims to increase sustainability of drinking water systems throughout the country and ensure that clean drinking water is accessible to all.
Eligible projects include water conservation/water use efficiency; modification or relocation of existing drinking water system infrastructure; design or construction of desalination facilities; water supply enhancement; drinking water infrastructure resiliency measures against natural hazards; elevating, relocating, or floodproofing instrumentation; retrofitting occupied utility buildings to prevent collapse; designing new facilities, control rooms, and offices that can withstand high winds.
Coastal Partnership Initiative Program
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Due Date: To be released in Summer/Fall 2024
Match: 1:1
Funding: TBD
Through the Coastal Partnership Initiative (CPI), the Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) makes federal-specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-funds available on a competitive basis to Florida’s 35 coastal counties and all municipalities within the counties’ boundaries that are required to use a coastal element in their comprehensive plan.
The CPI Program was developed to promote the protection and effective management of Florida’s coastal resources in four specific priority areas: Resilient Communities; Coastal Resource Stewardship; Access to Coastal Resources; and Working Waterfronts.
Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program
US Environmental Protection Agency
Due Date: To be released in late 2024
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $5,000,000 allocated for FY2022-2026
Under the authorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA established the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program to assist medium and large public water systems with protecting drinking water sources from natural hazards, extreme weather events, and cybersecurity threats.
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program
US Department of Agriculture
Due Date: Rolling deadline
Match: TBD
Funding: TBD
The WFPO Program provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments, and tribal organizations to help plan and implement authorized watershed projects for the purpose of: Flood Prevention; Watershed Protection; Public Recreation; Public Fish and Wildlife; Agricultural Water Management; Municipal and Industrial Water Supply; and Water Quality Management.
Please note: All Watershed Management Projects must have a local sponsor that will serve as the fiscal agent, provide project management and oversight throughout each different phase of construction, implementation, and project lifespan. The project sponsor will initiate a request for assistance from their local Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) Office to develop a preliminary feasibility study to help communities consider sustainable climate resilient solutions to address watershed resource concerns. A watershed plan must be approved and in place prior to the initiation of any corrective land treatment or structural solutions.
Due Date: Typically opens in Late Summer/Early Fall
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $19,000,000 allocated for FY2022-2026
Under the authorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA established the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program to assist underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities for the purpose of increasing drinking water facility resilience to natural hazards. Eligible applicants include public water systems, water systems located on areas governed by Tribes, and States on behalf of underserved communities.
EPA seeks to support these communities at the drinking water system level to overcome challenges caused by operational, environmental, and financial resource issues they face. This funding aims to increase sustainability of drinking water systems throughout the country and ensure that clean drinking water is accessible to all.
Eligible projects include water conservation/water use efficiency; modification or relocation of existing drinking water system infrastructure; design or construction of desalination facilities; water supply enhancement; drinking water infrastructure resiliency measures against natural hazards; elevating, relocating, or floodproofing instrumentation; retrofitting occupied utility buildings to prevent collapse; designing new facilities, control rooms, and offices that can withstand high winds.
Coastal Partnership Initiative Program
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Due Date: To be released in Summer/Fall 2024
Match: 1:1
Funding: TBD
Through the Coastal Partnership Initiative (CPI), the Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) makes federal-specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-funds available on a competitive basis to Florida’s 35 coastal counties and all municipalities within the counties’ boundaries that are required to use a coastal element in their comprehensive plan.
The CPI Program was developed to promote the protection and effective management of Florida’s coastal resources in four specific priority areas: Resilient Communities; Coastal Resource Stewardship; Access to Coastal Resources; and Working Waterfronts.
Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program
US Environmental Protection Agency
Due Date: To be released in late 2024
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $5,000,000 allocated for FY2022-2026
Under the authorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA established the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program to assist medium and large public water systems with protecting drinking water sources from natural hazards, extreme weather events, and cybersecurity threats.
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program
US Department of Agriculture
Due Date: Rolling deadline
Match: TBD
Funding: TBD
The WFPO Program provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments, and tribal organizations to help plan and implement authorized watershed projects for the purpose of: Flood Prevention; Watershed Protection; Public Recreation; Public Fish and Wildlife; Agricultural Water Management; Municipal and Industrial Water Supply; and Water Quality Management.
Please note: All Watershed Management Projects must have a local sponsor that will serve as the fiscal agent, provide project management and oversight throughout each different phase of construction, implementation, and project lifespan. The project sponsor will initiate a request for assistance from their local Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) Office to develop a preliminary feasibility study to help communities consider sustainable climate resilient solutions to address watershed resource concerns. A watershed plan must be approved and in place prior to the initiation of any corrective land treatment or structural solutions.
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