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

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

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

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

State Grants:

-The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the availability of grants for Round 11 of the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program. Eligible parties include: municipalities, municipal corporations, soil and water conservation districts, and not-for-profit corporations. Application deadline is November 8, 2013. Contact: wqipuser@gw.dec.state.ny.us or visit: www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/4774.html.

Federal Grants:

-The National Institutes of Health has announced funding for its Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists’ Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) program. The goal of the GEMSSTAR program is to promote future leaders in clinical aging research across the range of medical and surgical specialties. To accomplish this goal, the National Institute on Aging will provide two years of support for small research projects to physicians trained in medical or surgical specialties who seek to become clinician-scientists in aging-related aspects of their specialty. Eligible parties include: public/state-controlled or private institutions of higher education; not-for-profits; small businesses; state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities; faith-based or community-based organizations; and regional organizations. Application deadline is October 21, 2013. Contact: Ramesh Vemuri, Ph.D., phone: (301) 402-7700, email: VemuriR@nia.nih.gov; Susan Zieman, M.D., Ph.D., phone: (301) 496-6761, email: niagemsstar@mail.nih.gov; or visit: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-14-010.html.

-The National Institutes of Health has announced funding for its HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Among the Homeless and Unstably Housed research program. The funding announcement encourages studies on the development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of effective HIV-prevention interventions, research related to the epidemiology of HIV infection, and substance use and health services studies to improve the quality of substance use prevention and treatment services for the homeless and unstably housed populations. Eligible parties include: public/state-controlled or private institutions of higher education; not-for-profits; small businesses; state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities; faith-based or community-based organizations; and regional organizations. Letters of Intent due October 15, 2013, application deadline is November 15, 2013. Contact: Heidi Young, phone: (703) 243-8267, email: youngh@nida.nih.gov, or visit: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-14-009.html.

Private Grants:

-The Whole Kids Foundation and FoodCorps have collaborated to develop the School Garden Grant Program, which is now accepting applications. This program supports school garden projects that help students learn about complex topics such as nutrition and health, sustainability and conservation, food systems and community awareness. Eligible parties include: non-profit K-12 school (public, private, or charter) and/or a 501(c)(3) organization that is developing or currently maintaining a garden project on school grounds. Contact: Whole Kids Foundation, email: gardens@WholeKidsFoundation.org, or visit: www.wholekidsfoundation.org/schools/programs/school-garden-grant-program.

Scholar Grants:

-Zonta International is now accepting applications for their Amelia Earhart Fellowship. The fellowship is awarded annually to women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace-related sciences or aerospace-related engineering. Eligible parties include: women registered full-time in a Ph.D./doctoral program that will not graduate before April 2015. Application deadline is November 15, 2013. Contact: Zonta International Headquarters, phone: (630) 928-1400, email: programs@zonta.org, or visit: www.zonta.org/WhatWeDo/InternationalPrograms/AmeliaEarhartFellowship.aspx.

-The American Cancer Society seeks promising, early-career scientists with unique hypotheses for cancer prevention for a series of grants. The goal is to provide tested theories and conclusions that will foster the next generation of cancer research and create a strong foundation of preliminary evidence to make scientific advancements. The types of grants and fellowships currently available include: grants for independent investigators, mentored training and career development, pre-doctoral training, professorships, special initiatives and international research programs. Eligible parties include: dependent upon grant, visit: www.cancer.org/research/applyforaresearchgrant/granttypes/index. Application deadline is October 15, 2013. Contact: Extramural Grants Department, phone: (404) 329-7558, email: grants@cancer.org, or visit: www.cancer.org.

Grant Writing Request Training:

-The Foundation Center is offering a series of classes, starting October 15, 2013 and going until October 29, 2013, to help assist grant seekers in the best methods of seeking support in a variety of topics and skills. To register, call: 212-620-4230 or visit: http://www.foundationcenter.org/; space is limited.