Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Acceptable projects are proposals to kill and/or permanently remove plants or animals that meet the definition of aquatic invasive species or aquatic nuisance species from water bodies or wetlands in New York State. Projects that kill or remove only a portion of the total population of a target species are eligible for consideration even though removal of only a portion of the target species population is something less than eradication. Projects that do not result in the death or removal of a target species as the main objective would not be eligible for funding assistance. Likewise, projects that are perceived as routine maintenance (e.g., knockdown or mowing of annual aquatic plants without attempting to eliminate them) are not likely to receive funding assistance. Successful grant applications must match State assistance grant funding on a 1:1 basis.
ELIGIBILITY:  Municipalities and not-for-profit corporations.
FUNDING:  Between $7,500 and $100,000, with a total of $2 million available.
DEADLINE:  June 29, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Timothy Sinnott at 518-402-8970, by e-mail at txsinnot@gw.dec.state.ny.us; or visit DEC's web site at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/32861.html.

Hudson River Estuary Grant Program

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is requesting applications for state assistance under the Hudson River Estuary Grant program. Grant projects must relate to the implementation of priority goals identified in DEC's Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2005-2009. The Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2005-2009 and the 2007 Hudson River Estuary Grant application are available for viewing and downloading on the DEC's web site (www.dec.ny.gov).
ELIGIBILITY:  Grants are available to municipalities and not-for-profit corporations. Grant projects must be located within the geographic boundaries of the Hudson River Estuary and associated shore land.
FUNDING:  $1.5 million.
DEADLINE:  June 29, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.dec.ny.gov, call 845-256-3016 or e-mail: HREP@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

. . . On the Federal Level

YouthBuild Grants

U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announces the availability of approximately $47 million in grant funds for YouthBuild Grants.YouthBuild Grants will be awarded through a competitive process. Grant funds will be used to provide disadvantaged youth with: the education and employment skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency in occupations in high demand and postsecondary education and training opportunities; opportunities for meaningful work and service to their communities; and opportunities to develop employment and leadership skills and a commitment to community development among youth in low-income communities. As part of their programming, YouthBuild grantees will tap the energies and talents of disadvantaged youth to increase the supply of permanent affordable housing for homeless individuals and low-income families and to help youth develop the leadership, learning, and high-demand occupational skills needed to succeed in today's global economy. ETA hopes to serve approximately 2,900 youth participants during the first year of this initiative, with projects operating in approximately 90-100 communities across the country. Under this announcement, ETA will be awarding grants to organizations to oversee the provision of education and employment services to disadvantaged youth in their communities.
This solicitation provides background information and describes the application submission requirements, outlines the process that eligible entities must use to apply for funds covered by this solicitation, and outlines the evaluation criteria used as a basis for selecting grantees.
ELIGIBILITY:  Community-based organizations; faith-based organizations; entities carrying out activities under this WIA, such as a local workforce investment board or One-Stop Career Center; community action agency; state or local housing development agency; an Indian tribe or other agency primarily serving Indians; community development corporation; state or local youth service conservation corps; or other relevant public or private non-profit entity that provides education or employment training and can meet the required elements of the grant.
FUNDING:  $700,000 - $1.1 million.
DEADLINE:  July 3, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-7974.htm.

Head Start/Hilton Foundation Training Program to Support Inclusive Early Childhood Services

Administration for Children and Families' Office of Head Start

The Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) Office of Head Start announces the availability of funds to implement the concluding phase of the Hilton/Early Head Start Training Program project. This grant will promote the adoption and continued use of practices developed under the Hilton/Early Head Start Training Program by Early Head Start and Head Start programs and their community partners. The grantee will identify existing activities by national, regional, and statewide stakeholders intended to improve inclusive early childhood service opportunities for young children with disabilities and their families in Early Head Start, Head Start, and other early childhood settings, and will work with these various stakeholders to demonstrate how Hilton/Early Head Start Training Program materials and practices would contribute to their efforts. Since its inception in 1997, the Hilton/Early Head Start Training Program has provided intensive training and follow-up coaching support to over 500 Early Head Start (EHS) and Migrant Head Start programs and their community partners (e.g., agencies implementing Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, preschool Head Start programs, child care providers, and parents of children with disabilities). Given these accomplishments, the Office of Head Start is interested in supporting this final phase of the project so that Hilton/EHS Training Program practices will have a sustained impact -- contributing as an integral part of ongoing efforts to increase and improve inclusive early childhood environments for young children with disabilities.
ELIGIBILITY:  State governments, county governments, local governments, city or township governments, regional organizations, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, Indian/Native American Tribal governments, (Federally recognized) Indian/Native American Tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized), Indian/Native American tribally designated organizations, public/Indian housing authorities, non-profits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), non-profits without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations, and small businesses.
FUNDING:  $3 million per budget period.
DEADLINE:  July 25, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Office of Head Start Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, ATTN: Hilton/HS Project, 118 Q St., NE, Washington, DC 20002; Phone: 866-796-1591; e-mail: OHS@dixongroup.com.

Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM

National Science Foundation (NSF)

The two programs -- the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) and Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) -- and the Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) activity included under the Alliances for Broadening Participation (ABP) in Science and Engineering solicitation seek to increase the number of students successfully completing quality degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Particular emphasis is placed on supporting groups that historically have been underrepresented in STEM: African Americans, Alaskan Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans and Native Pacific Islanders. ABP support begins at the baccalaureate level with the LSAMP program. For eligible students, significant financial support is continued for two years of graduate study via the BD activity. Rounding out the ABP cluster are AGEP, which further the graduate education of minority students through the doctorate level, preparing them for fulfilling opportunities and productive careers as STEM faculty and research professionals.
ELIGIBILITY:  U.S. universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges).
FUNDING:  See NSF's web site (below) for detailed funding information.
DEADLINE:  August 23, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit NSF's web site regarding individual program information (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf07566/nsf07566.htm#cont).

. . . Grant Writing

Grantsmanship Center

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: Troy, September 17-21, 2007, hosted by the Commission on Economic Opportunity for the Greater Capital Region.

The classes will be conducted by The Grantsmanship Center and are kept at a maximum of 30 participants. The cost is $825, which includes one-year enrollment in the TGCI Membership Program. A limited number of half-tuition scholarships are available to agencies with annual budgets of less than $300,000.

To register, or to apply for a scholarship, contact TGCI at (800) 421-9512 or visit www.tgci.com.

Foundation Center

The Foundation Center has scheduled the following free training opportunities during June and July 2007:

Grantseeking Basics: Attendees will learn how the Center’s resources can help make them more effective grantseekers. For beginners, this introduction to the library provides instruction in foundation research and identification of potential funders. A tour of the library will follow. June 13, June 20, June 26 and July 6.

Proposal Writing Basics and Workshops: Attendees will learn about the basics of writing a proposal for their non-profit organizations. June 13, June 14, June 27 and July 5.

Introduction to the Foundation Directory Online: This session provides a hands-on introduction to the Center’s comprehensive Web subscription database. June 13, June 20 and July 6.

How to Approach a Foundation: Attendees will learn how to initiate contact with potential funders; plan calls and meetings; and build partnerships with donors. This class is intended for fundraisers with some experience, though not necessarily with foundations. June 19 and July 24.

Classes are held at The Foundation Center, New York Library, 79 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor in New York City. Space is limited and you can register on-line at www.fdncenter.org, in person, or by calling (212) 620-4230. You may also visit the Web site for information on other training opportunities available through the Center.