Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) is sending his “August Grant Action News Update” to residents, organizations and local governments regarding a series of grants available from the state, federal government 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 an integral part in helping our local communities complete needed infrastructure repairs or support underfunded projects,” said Palmesano. “Many people don’t realize the scope 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. I hope 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 to strengthen communities in our rural area.”

All not-for-profit applicants must now pre-qualify on the New York State Grants Management website at grantsreform.ny.gov/grantees in order to apply for certain New York state grant solicitations. Potential not-for-profit applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process of registering and prequalifying immediately, as this is a lengthy process.

The Grant Action News bulletin is updated at the beginning of each month with newly available grants and information on how to apply.

The update can be accessed here: https://nyassembly.gov/gan/?sec=story&story=114864

State Grants:

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Electric Vehicle (EV) Managed Charging Program

This funding is for technologies to improve the performance and validate value propositions to address interoperability challenges in the Avangrid service territory. The projects also help establish a pathway for products and services to gain market entry by addressing existing technical and economic barriers.

• Deadline: September 16, 2025, 3 PM
• Eligible Applicants/Qualification Requirements:

NYSERDA is accepting full proposals in the following categories:

♦ Category A: Product Development ♦ Category B: Demonstration Projects

• Cost-Sharing: Yes, 25%requirement
• Total Funding Available: $4 million
• Contact: Jim Hastings
• Email: jim.hastings@nyserda.ny.gov smartgrid@nyserda.ny.gov
• Links to Additional Information:
• ♦https://portal.nyserda.ny.gov/CORE_Solicitation_Detail_Page?isinternal=true&SolicitationId=a0rcr00000S67gG ♦https://portal.nyserda.ny.gov/CORE_Solicitation_Document_Page?documentId=a0lcr000000nV97AAE
  ♦ https://www.nyscr.ny.gov/iframes/openAdDetail.cfm?id=ECBA346D-6EC8-44E8-B4E1-B5DDCC07FFEB

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Buildings of Excellence Competition Funding

This funding is for multifamily demonstration projects that will be clean and resilient, beautiful and functional, and will provide healthy, safe, comfortable and resilient living spaces for their occupants. Funding will be considered for projects that intend to serve all market sectors, at all building heights, while primarily focusing on projects that are at an early stage in their design and development cycle.

■ Deadline: September 17, 2025, 3 PM

■ Eligibility Requirements: See more information in the links below

■ Total Program Funding: $15 million

■ Award Ceiling: $1.5 million

■ Contact: Gwen McLaughlin

■ Email: gwennc@nyserda.ny.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence?gad_source=1&gad_ campaignid=1719074584&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm_Cn-4DEjgMVRGJHAR0h6CSfEAAYASAAEgJeivD_BwE

• • https://portal.nyserda.ny.gov/CORE_Solicitation_Document_Page?documentId=a0lt0000000X8iuAAC

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Building Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Training Program Funding

This program is designed to equip building O&M workers with the skills to operate increasingly energy-efficient, grid-flexible and electrified building systems that reduce buildings’ contribution to climate change. The goal is to support building owners, facility managers, property management companies, business associations/trade groups and organized labor associations in creating the talent development strategy, corporate culture, on-site training framework and tools needed to advance building O&M workers beyond classroom training.

■ Deadline: October 31, 2025, 3 PM

■ Eligibility Requirements: See more information in the links below

■ Estimated Total Program Funding: $2.8 million

■ Cost Sharing: Yes

■ Award Ceiling: $500,000

■ Award Floor: $50,000

■ Contact: Kerry Hogan

■ Email: bom@nyserda.ny.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://portal.nyserda.ny.gov/CORE_Solicitation_Detail_Page?SolicitationId=a0r8z000000D9D1AAK

♦ https://portal.nyserda.ny.gov/CORE_Solicitation_Document_Page?documentId=a0l8z000000rNOnAAM

Federal Grants:

U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Smart Health & Biomedical Research in the Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Advanced Data Science

This funding supports the development of transformative high-risk, high-reward advances in computer and information science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, behavioral and/or cognitive research to address pressing questions in the biomedical and public health communities.

■ Deadline: October 3, 2025, 5 PM

■ Eligible Applicants: Non-profit, non-academic organizations: independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities; institutions of higher education (IHEs) - two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special instructions for international branch campuses of U.S. IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a U.S. institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus

■ Estimated Total Program Funding: $15-$20 million

■ Expected Number of Awards: 10-16

■ Email: sch-correspondence@nsf.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/349838

♦ http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf23614

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Bidirectional Influences Between Adolescent Social Media Use and Mental Health Funding

This funding is for projects seeking to understand bidirectional relationships between social media use and adolescent mental health, psychiatric symptoms and risk or resilience for psychopathology.

■ Deadline: October 20, 2025, 5 PM

■ Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; for profit organizations other than small businesses; city or township governments; small businesses; nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” in the links for clarification); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; county governments; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); state governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); independent school districts; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; special district governments; private institutions of higher education

■ Estimated Total Program Funding: $5 million

■ Expected Number of Awards: 5-6

■ Contact: Laura Thomas

■ Email: laura.thomas@nih.gov

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/356911

♦ http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-25-206.html

Private Grants:

Simons Foundation International (SFI), Targeted Grants to Institutes

These grants will help support established institutes or centers in the mathematics and physical sciences through funding to help strengthen contacts within the international scientific community. The aim is to enable institutes to extend and enhance their missions.

■ Deadline: October 2, 2025, 12 PM

■ Eligibility Requirements: Applications may be submitted by established U.S. and foreign public and private educational and nonprofit institutes and research centers

■ Award Ceiling: $250,000

■ Expected Number of Awards: Up to 10

■ Email: mps@simonsfoundation.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/targeted-grants-to-institutes/

♦ https://www.simonsfoundation.org/funding/funding-opportunities/mathematics-physical-sciences/targetedgrants-to-institutes/application-instructions/

♦ https://www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/targeted-grants-to-institutes/#tab-faq

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Exploring Equitable Futures

This funding will support projects that seed new and unconventional ideas that could radically advance health equity for generations to come. The aim is to fund projects that:

♦ explore the future by researching and experimenting with ideas that are ahead of the curve or at the edge of our collective imagination

♦ shine a light on the emerging trends and forces that are shaping our future for better or worse—and suggest ways to navigate them to mitigate harm and advance health equity

♦ dream big and challenge conventional wisdom to surface possibilities and uncover new paths to dismantle structural racism and build a more equitable future

■ Deadline: October 15, 2025, 3 PM

■ Eligibility & Selection Criteria: Preference will be given to applicants that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are not private foundations or type III supporting organizations. Applicant organizations must be based in the United States or its territories. Submissions from teams that include both U.S. and international members are eligible. Proposals for this funding opportunity are evaluated based on the extent to which the proposed project seeds an idea that is new and unconventional and meaningfully advances health equity

■ Amount of Award: There is no set award amount. Request the amount of funding needed to complete the proposed project—including direct and indirect costs—for the entire duration of the grant

■ Email: ideasforthefuture@rwjr.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.rwjf.org/en/grants/active-funding-opportunities/2025/exploring-equitable-futures.html

♦ https://www.rwjf.org/en/about-rwjf/how-we-work/learning-and-evaluation/ideas-for-an-equitable-future.html

♦ https://www.rwjf.org/en/grants/grant-process.html

Craft Research Fund, Grants for Research about Craft

This funding encourages, expands and supports craft research in the United States.

■ Deadline: October 17, 2025

■ Eligibility: Proposals are welcome from applicants, including but not limited to organizations, curators, artist researchers, independent and academic researchers and scholars. This grant is intended to support research and is not for the creation of artwork. This grant will not provide funding for already completed research or the dissemination of already completed research

■ Applicants Must Be:

♦ able to receive taxable income in the U.S. for the duration of the grant and report this grant as income

♦ 18 years of age or older

■ Award Amounts: $5,000-$15,000

■ Contact: Mellanee Goodman

■ Email: mgoodman@centerforcraft.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5b1fc30dfb9d6458d1d0a5d0/6852c6c5ff64c73e7a5e14a6_2026%20Craft%20 Research%20Fund%20-%20Grant%20Kit%20pdf.pdf

♦ https://www.centerforcraft.org/

♦ https://www.centerforcraft.org/grants-and-fellowships/craft-research-fund-grant

AJ Muste Foundation for Peace + Justice, Organizing Grants

These grants provide support to grassroots activist organizations engaged in nonviolent action for social justice. Grassroots activist projects are funded in the U.S. and around the world, prioritizing those with small budgets and little access to mainstream funding.

■ Deadline: October 20, 2025, 3 PM

■ Funded Organizations/Projects Should Be:

♦ newly founded and existing organizations that are engaged in activist organizing, with preference given to groups that don’t have much foundation funding or other traditional streams of income

♦ 501(c)(3)s, groups with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor and organizations with a bank account in their name

♦ creative and have bold ideas that have a specific goal

♦ dedicated to fighting for systemic change, rather than personal/individual support

■ Award Ceiling: $10,000

■ Award Floor: $5,000

■ Email: info@ajmuste.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://ajmuste.org/what-we-do

♦ https://ajmuste.org/apply/organizing-grants

The Lawrence Foundation, Grants

These grants support organizations that are working to solve pressing environmental, human services and other issues.

■ Deadline: October 31, 2025

■ Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and public schools and libraries are eligible for contributions or grants

■ Award Amounts: Vary, $5,000-$10,000

■ Contact Link:

♦ https://thelawrencefoundation.org/contact-us

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://thelawrencefoundation.org/

♦ https://thelawrencefoundation.org/application-process

♦ https://thelawrencefoundation.org/apply-for-a-grant

Scholar Awards:

Students With Heart Foundation, Scholarships

These scholarships are available for both undergraduate and graduate students who suffer from all different types of heart disease and deformities, thus relieving some of the stress from the rough and rigorous journey they will face throughout college.

■ Deadline: October 1, 2025

■ Eligible Applicants Must:

♦ be in the process of entering college this calendar year or currently enrolled in an undergraduate- or graduate-degree program

♦ provide a college acceptance letter, an official schedule for their first semester and high school transcripts

♦ be currently enrolled in a United States Accredited College/University and maintain a full course of study of 12 or more credits

♦ be U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents at the time of application

♦ have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the time of the application

♦ provide a letter from a licensed physician declaring the applicant suffers from any cardiac disease or deformities. No medical records, including progress notes, will be accepted

♦ submit an official transcript from their current academic institution

♦ provide ONE letter of recommendation from a previous or current professor

♦ submit a personal statement of no more than 2,000 words and no less than 500 words describing the obstacles they have had to overcome due to their cardiac disease or deformities

♦ participate in a personal interview with the president or any of the other delegated board members if requested by the foundation

■ Award Ceiling: $6,000

■ Award Floor: $500

■ Number of Awards: 5

■ Email: info@studentswithheart.org

■ Link to Additional Information:

♦ http://www.studentswithheart.org/

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships

These scholarships are provided to students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Gilman Program is a competitive, merit-based scholarship.

■ Deadline: October 3, 2025

■ Eligible Applicants Must:

♦ be a citizen or national of the United States

♦ be an undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions)

♦ receive a federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship

♦ be in the process of applying to, or have been accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement

♦ apply for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country or location with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. It is important to note that certain areas within a country or location that have an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 may be designated separately as either Level 3 or Level 4; Gilman scholars will not be allowed to travel to these specific areas. Gilman scholars are unable to participate in programs located in a country or location—or an area within a country or location—that is designated as either a Level 3 (“Reconsider travel to”) or Level 4 (“Do not travel to”)

■ Award Amounts: Up to $5,000

■ Number of Awards: Nearly 3,000

■ Email: gilman@iie.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/program-overview/

♦ https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Eligible-Gilman-Expenses-2-2025.pdf

Association for Iron & Steel (AIST) College Scholarships

These scholarships are available to students majoring in engineering, engineering technology, computer science, data science, safety or industrial hygiene programs. These awards are preceded by a required PAID summer internship at a North American steel-producing or steel-related company.

■ Deadline: October 6, 2025

■ Eligible Applicants Must:

♦ be university sophomore and junior applicants or university seniors planning to attend graduate school

♦ be enrolled full-time in a four-year undergraduate (minimum of 12 credits) or graduate program (minimum of 8 credits) at an accredited North American university

♦ have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

♦ submit an application, essay and recommendation letter that should express a strong interest in the iron and steel industry

♦ be a citizen of a USMCA country (USA, Canada, Mexico)

♦ commit to a paid summer internship at a North American steel-related company and may need to relocate for the internship period. Note: Upon selection, AIST will assist in internship placement; however, applicants are encouraged to seek information from steel companies at career/job events and may, at any time, accept an internship or co-op at a steel-producing company or industry supplier. If an internship is self-placed by the recipient, the internship will need to be pre-approved. Please contact AIST for approval prior to accepting a self-placed internship. Acceptance of an internship at a company not specifically related to steel manufacturing will automatically disqualify the applicant

♦ receive a satisfactory performance review from the internship company and maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA to remain eligible for this scholarship funding

** The recipient may be disqualified if he/she rescinds an accepted offer of internship from within the program

■ Award Amounts: $7,500

■ Number of Awards: 50

■ Contact: Lori Wharrey

■ Email: lwharrey@aist.org

■ Link to Additional Information:

♦ https://www.aist.org/students-faculty/scholarships

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

These fellowships for new Americans are awarded to multiple students under 30 years of age who are applying to graduate or professional school and are immigrants or the children of immigrants.

■ Deadline: October 30, 2025, 2 PM

■ Eligible Applicants Must:

♦ be an immigrant or the child of immigrants

♦ have birth parents that have both been born outside of the U.S. as non-U.S. citizens and both parents must not have been eligible for U.S. citizenship at the time of their births

♦ have a bachelor’s degree as of the fall of 2026, when the fellowship will begin. You can have a previous graduate degree

♦ plan on starting or continuing an eligible fully accredited graduate or professional degree program full time in the U.S. in the 2026-2027 academic year

** Applicants may apply to graduate school at the same time as applying for this fellowship. Applicants do not need to have been admitted into a graduate program when applying

**If the applicant is already in graduate school when applying for the fellowship, the applicant must not have started the third year of the graduate program that they are seeking funding for

■ Award Amount: Each fellow receives up to $25,000 in stipend support for two years and up to $20,000 in tuition support for two years

■ Number of Awards: 30

■ Email: info@pdsoros.org

■ Links to Additional Information:

♦ https://pdsoros.org/application-process/

♦ https://pdsoros.org/eligibility/

♦ https://pdsoros.org/fellowship-financial-support/