Information on Available State and Federal Grants
March 2000
Vol. 14, #3

New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
...On the State Level

Parent and Child Services Program

NYS Education Department

The New York State Education Department is offering grants to public libraries for programs that will create models using the approaches to learning and the materials and programmatic resources of cultural institutions. Programs should also encourage, advocate and support the use of public television, museums, historical societies, environmental centers, libraries and other cultural resources in preschool, after school, weekend and summer learning programs for children.

ELIGIBILITY: Public libraries in New York state are eligible.

FUNDING: A total of $300,000 is available for grants ranging from $5,000 - $50,000.

DEADLINE: April 28, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the NYS Library, Parent and Child Library Services Program, Education Department, Library Development, Room 10B41 Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230; telephone (518)
474-7890.


October Event and Speakers Grants

New York Council for the Humanities

This year, under leadership from the New York Council for the Humanities (NYCH), New York will celebrate October as State Humanities Month. The goals of this program are: 1) to celebrate the humanities; 2) to increase public awareness of the humanities; and 3) to foster links among cultural agencies across the state. To promote these goals, the council offers October Event Grants to support public humanities programs in local communities. Such programs might include public lectures, walking tours, reading and discussion groups, workshops, etc. This grant can only support programs that present history, literature, or cultural interpretations to the public. Grant recipients will become co-sponsors of State Humanities Month, and will be featured in a statewide publicity campaign.

Speakers in the Humanities is a roster of distinguished authorities lecturing on a wide range of humanities topics. Since 1983, NYCH has awarded nearly 2,000 Speakers grants to non-profit organizations of all sorts, in every corner of the state – public libraries, senior centers, museums, arts organizations, colleges, Y’s, service organizations and community centers. This year, for the first time, they will also extend the program to high school audiences. An application fee may be required.

ELIGIBILITY: New York non-profit organizations, including colleges and universities, historical societies, museums, professional associations, and community and service organizations are eligible. Individuals are not.

FUNDING: October Event Grants are in the amount of $1000 or less.

DEADLINE: May 1, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the New York Council for the Humanities, 150 Broadway, Suite 1700, New York, NY 10038; telephone (212) 233-1131; fax (212) 233-4607; e-mail hum@echonyc.org or visit their web site at www.culturefront.org


Alternative Process Technologies Grants

NYS Energy Research and Development Authority

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) invites short proposals for projects that promote the development, demonstration or commercialization of technologies which improve energy and environmental efficiency and manufacturing productivity. The targeted technologies include: lasers, x-rays, microwave and ultraviolet; radio-frequency induction heating and infrared heating; and ion and electron beam technologies. The proposed work must be innovative and address processing-related issues which can lead to energy efficiency.

ELIGIBILITY: Projects must have substantial New York state impact and produce significant economic benefits, such as processing or manufacturing at a site or sites in New York state.

FUNDING: Total funding is $750,000 with a maximum of $250,000 per project. Cost-sharing of at least 50% is preferred.

DEADLINE: April 28, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Barbara Caropolo at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3266, or bec@nyserda.org


Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting applications for tree planting/education projects and education projects.

Recipients will be expected to provide at least a 50 percent match to the grant awards.

ELIGIBILITY: Municipalities, state agencies, public benefit corporations, public authorities and non-profit corporations with an ownership interest in the property are eligible.

FUNDING: It is anticipated that $155,000 will be available under the planting program and $45,000 will be available under the education program.

DEADLINE: April 3, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact John Albert, Grants Administrator, Department of Environmental Conservation, 50 Wolf Road, Room 424, Albany, NY 12233-4253.

...On the Federal Level

Economic Development Assistance Programs

U.S. Department of Commerce

The United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) plans to support projects designed to alleviate conditions of substantial and persistent unemployment and underemployment in economically-distressed areas and regions of the nation, and to address economic dislocations resulting from sudden and severe job losses.

EDA will give priority consideration to projects that help communities achieve and sustain economic growth, including those that support the Administration’s “New Markets” and “Livable Communities” initiatives.

The Administration will focus its financial resources on communities with the highest economic distress. Distress may exist in a variety of forms, including, but not limited to high levels of unemployment, low income levels, large concentrations of low-income families, significant decline in per capita income, substantial loss of population because of lack of employment opportunities, large numbers or high rates of business failures, sudden major layoffs or plant closures, military base closures, natural or other major disasters, depletion of natural resources, and/or reduced tax bases.

ELIGIBILITY: Interested organizations should refer to EDA’s web site at www.doc.gov/eda or Regional Representative listed for a complete list of eligibility requirements. EDA is not authorized to provide any financial assistance to individuals for the purpose of starting or expanding a business.

FUNDING: $360 million is available under seven different programs.

DEADLINE: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and will be processed as funds are available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Harold J. Marshall, 620 Erie Blvd. West, Suite 104, Syracuse, NY 13204-2442; telephone (315) 448-0938; e-mail hmarshal@doc.gov or Paul M. Raetsch, Regional Director, Curtis Center, Independence Square West, Suite 140 South, Philadelphia, PA 19106; telephone (215) 597-4603; fax (215) 597-6669; e-mail Praetsch@doc.gov


Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program

U.S. Department of Education

The United States Department of Education is accepting applications for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. The purpose of this program is to provide grants to help build a nationwide capability in elementary and secondary schools to identify and meet the special educational needs of gifted and talented students; to encourage the development of rich and challenging curricula for all students; and to supplement and make more effective the expenditures of state and local funds for the education of gifted and talented students.

Projects must establish and operate model programs to serve gifted and talented students in schools in which at least 50% of the students enrolled are from low-income families. Projects must include students who may not be served by traditional gifted and talented programs, including economically disadvantaged students, limited English proficient students, and students with disabilities. The projects must incorporate high-level content and performance standards in one or more of the core subject areas as well as utilize innovative teaching strategies.

The projects must provide comprehensive ongoing professional development opportunities for staff. The projects must incorporate training for parents in ways to support their children’s educational progress. There must also be comprehensive evaluation of the projects’ activities.

ELIGIBILITY: State educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public and private agencies and organizations, including Indian tribes and organizations are eligible.

FUNDING: The estimated range of awards is $100,000 - $215,000.

DEADLINE: April 24, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kelley Berry or Liz Barnes, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Room 502, Washington, DC 20208-5645; telephone (202) 219-2096 or (202) 219-2210, respectively; fax (202) 219-2053. Information can also be found on the Department of Education’s web site: www.ed.gov/news.html


Grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity in Targeted Areas of Need

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces the availability of funds to expand substance abuse treatment capacity in targeted areas of need.

The purpose of this program is to expand substance abuse treatment capacity in targeted areas for a targeted response to treatment capacity problems and/or emerging trends. This program is designed to address gaps in treatment capacity by supporting rapid and strategic responses to demands for substance abuse treatment services in communities with serious, emerging drug problems as well as communities with innovative solutions to unmet needs.

ELIGIBILITY: Local units of government and Indian tribes and organizations are eligible. Applicants must coordinate with their Single State Agency (SSA) for Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

FUNDING: Up to $30 million is available to fund 55 to 60 projects.

DEADLINE: April 19, 2000. The program has recurring submission dates of September 10, January 10, and May 10.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Application kits are available from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI), P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20857-2345; telephone (800) 729-6686. For questions concerning program issues, contact Clifton Mitchell (301) 443-8404. Information can also be found on the SAMHSA web site at: www.samhsa.gov


Child Care Research Programs

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families is offering funding for four programs in child care research. The four priority areas are: Field Initiated Child Care Research Projects; Child Care Policy Research Partnerships; Child Care Research Scholars and the Child Care Research Fellowship Program.

Projects funded under each of these priority areas should address critical questions with implications for children and families, especially low-income working families and families transitioning off welfare. Projects will contribute to a comprehensive research agenda designed to increase the capacity for child care research at the national, state, and local levels and promote better linkages among research, policy, practice, and outcomes for children and families.

ELIGIBILITY: Accredited universities and colleges may submit a Child Care Research Scholar application on behalf of a doctoral candidate. Universities and colleges, public agencies, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations agreeing to waive their fees are invited to apply for the other programs included in this announcement.

FUNDING: $4.3 million.

DEADLINE: March 31, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the ACYF Operations Center Technical Assistance Team at (800) 351-2293 or ccb@lcg.com


Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program Grants

U.S. Department of Transportation

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of funds for the Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program. The program makes funds available to private operators of over-the-road buses to finance the incremental capital and training costs of complying with DOT regulations.

An “over-the-road bus” is a bus characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment. Intercity, fixed-route over-the-road bus service is regularly scheduled bus service for the general public that: operates with limited stops over fixed routes connecting two or more urban areas not in close proximity or connecting one or more rural communities with an urban area not in close proximity; has the capacity for transporting baggage carried by passengers; and makes meaningful connections with scheduled intercity bus service to more distant points.

Projects will improve mobility for individuals with disabilities by providing financial assistance to help make vehicles accessible and provide training to ensure that drivers and others understand how to use accessibility features as well as how to treat patrons with disabilities.

ELIGIBILITY: Grants will be made directly to operators of over-the-road buses.

FUNDING: Intercity fixed-route service providers - $2 million; over-the-road service providers - $1.7 million.

DEADLINE: April 28, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Questions may be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to Sue Masselink, Federal Transit Administration, Room 9315, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590; fax (202) 366-7951; e-mail sue.masselink@fta.dot.gov. The full announcement can be found on the FTA web site at: www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal/fr00toc.htm


Grant Writing

COPE
Kingston, Syracuse and Albany

The Council on Opportunities for Professional Excellence (COPE) is offering three full-day grant writing classes this spring.

• Kingston, NY, Ramada Inn - March 23rd
• Syracuse, NY, Holiday Inn - April 5th
• Albany, NY, Holiday Inn - April 11th

The cost for each class is $145; $118 per person if two or more from the same organization attend.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact COPE at (914) 756-COPE (2673) or e-mail them at jnb@copeinc.com


Syracuse University
Syracuse

Syracuse University is offering an “Introduction to Grant Writing” class on March 17 and again on May 12. The one-day class runs from 9 am to 4 pm and costs $149 per person. Each class includes a hands-on segment on use of the Internet in proposal development and is limited to 19 participants.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Peg at (315) 443-3271 or e-mail enrich@syr.edu to request a brochure. More information is available at http://suce.syr.edu/hsc/ - grant writing is listed under Creative/Practical courses.


Grantsmanship Training Program
Buffalo and Saratoga Springs

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York:

• March 13-17 hosted by the American Red Cross in Buffalo
• May 15-19 hosted by C:/KIDS.NET in Saratoga Springs

The class is kept to a maximum of 26 participants and costs $675.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For the Buffalo program, contact Neil Melbrod at (716) 878-2371. For the Saratoga Springs program, contact Betty Hamilton at (518) 587-2995. Or contact the Grantsmanhip Center at (800) 421-9512. The Center also has a new library of federal grant proposals on CD-ROM. More information is available on the web site: www.tgci.com


Please Help Prevent Waste

Please let us know if you are receiving duplicate copies of Grants Action News or if your address has changed. You may correct any mailing list problem by calling 1-800-356-8486 or by writing to Grants Action News c/o the NYS Assembly, 1 Commerce Plaza, Suite 1125, Albany, NY 12260. If you are requesting an address change please include the old address as well as the new address.


New York State Assembly
[ Welcome Page ] [ Reports ]