Grant & Funding Opportunities

Mass Broadband Institute’s Residential Retrofit Program (Rolling): The Residential Retrofit Program intends to increase low-income residents’ access to high-quality and affordable broadband access through the replacement of deficient infrastructure with updated wiring and cabling in Public & Affordable Housing properties. Housing operators should submit an expression of interest through MBI’s online form. MBI is coordinating this program with their existing Apartment WiFi program being run through the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Your property may be eligible for both programs. Applications with multiple properties will be looked upon favorably, however, smaller-scale projects are also eligible. Contact Kerrie Salwa at ksalwa@cmrpc.org.

Greening the Gateways Program (rolling): Greening the Gateways Program provides funding to increase tree cover in urban residential areas. This will contribute to the reduction of household heating and cooling energy use by increasing tree cover in urban residential areas. For more information contact Hilary Dimino at hilary.m.dimino@mass.gov  

MassDEP Air Sensor Grant (rolling): The MassDEP Air Sensor Grant provides between five and ten PurpleAir sensors at no cost to non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, municipalities, and tribes. PurpleAir sensors measure the levels of fine particulate matter in a community’s outdoor air for at least a year. For more information contact air.sensor@mass.gov  

Chapter 90 Program (rolling): The Chapter 90 Program provides municipalities with an annual funding resource for improvements and investments in local transportation networks. Each municipality in the Commonwealth is allocated a portion of program dollars. This allows municipalities to evaluate their own unique transportation goals and needs and allocate funds accordingly. For more information visit www.mass.gov/chapter-90-program 

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants (rolling through November 2024): These grants benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase climate resilience, and capacity building to address environmental and climate justice challenges and issues. For more information, contact Julia Moore at jmoore@cmrpc.org or Micaela Leonarte Paredes, Federal Funds & Infrastructure Office at micaela.leonarteparedes@mass.gov 

Community Compact (anticipated August 19, 2024): The Community Compact program allows a community to implement at least one best practice selected from a variety of areas. The community’s chosen best practice will be reviewed between the municipality and Commonwealth to ensure the best practice chosen is unique and reflects relevant needed areas of improvement. For more information contact Jennifer McAllister at mcallisterj@dor.state.ma.us 

FY25 Massachusetts 250 Grant (due August 26, 2024): This competitive grant program provided by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism supports programming related to the Semi-quincentennial of the American Revolution in Massachusetts in 2025. The awarded funds will support programming and interpretation that tell the stories of the American Revolution in Massachusetts and increase tourism and travel to and within Massachusetts. For more information contact Ethan Melad at emelad@cmrpc.org

Safe Streets and Roads for All (due August 29, 2024) The Safe Streets and Roads for All is a competitive grant supporting planning, infrastructural, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injuries on the roads and streets involving roadway users. For more information, contact Yahaira Graxirena at ygraxirena@cmrpc.org or Derek Krevat, MassDOT at Derek.Krevat@dot.state.ma.us 

Statewide Water Management Act Grant (due August 30, 2024): The Statewide Management Act Grant supports municipalities and public water suppliers by providing funding for planning assistance, withdrawal mitigation projects, and demand management in local communities. For more information contact jen.durso@mass.gov  

Dam Removal Program (Anticipated late August): The Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is seeking applications from Massachusetts municipalities for upcoming opportunities for dam removal preliminary design studies. The Dam Removal Program supports the removal of unwanted damns which may alter river function, reduce water quality, trap sediment, and block the movement of fish. For more information contact the Division of Ecological Restoration at MassEcoRestore@mass.gov 

On-Street Charging Solutions Program (due September 4, 2024): The On-Street Charging Solutions Program seeks to ensure an equitable transition to electric vehicles by increasing access to on-street charging options. The aim is to reduce barriers to electric vehicle adoption for low-income and disadvantaged communities across Massachusetts. For more information contact cleantransportation@masscec.com 

Vehicles-for-Hire Electrification Charging Solutions Program (due September 4, 2024): This program aims to increase access to reliable, fast, and accessible charging through electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging station hubs Transportation Network Company (TNC), and taxi drivers, and may support the deployment of electric vehicles in rural and Environmental Justice communities. For more information contact cleantransportation@masscec.com 

Efficiency and Regionalization (E&R) Program (anticipated September 16, 2024, due October 10, 2024): The Efficiency and Regionalization competitive grants provide financial support to government entities interested in regionalization and other efficiency initiatives that allow for long-term sustainability. These grants will provide funding for one-time or transition costs for municipalities, regional school districts, schools seeking to potentially form a regional school district or regionalizing services, regional planning agencies, and councils of governments interested in such projects. For more information contact Sean Cronin at croninse@dor.state.ma.us.

MassDEP Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grant (Next round October 2024): This program awards for-profit and non-profit organizations, regional authorities, eligible municipalities, and educational institutions for short-term waste reduction projects. Eligible projects will promote the reduction of waste produced or extend the lifespan of products. The maximum award is $10,000. Contact Greer Jarvis for more information at gjarvis@cmrpc.org. 

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) 2.0 Grant Program (anticipated late 2024): Added support to build resilience to climate change. This grant program builds on MVP 1.0 to support communities with new processes, tools, and resources. The planning process revisits MVP 1.0 priorities with enhanced involvement of the wider community to conduct equitable climate resilience work. It includes funding to implement a seed project. No match requirement, joint municipal applications encouraged. Contact Sarah Plutnicki at splutnicki@cmrpc.org for more information. 

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Action Grant Program (anticipated Spring 2025): This competitive grant program offers financial support for community-based projects that help with adaptation to projected future climate impacts, including extreme weather, extreme temperatures, and flooding. Municipalities that have completed the MVP Planning 1.0 process or have received EEA MVP Community designation are eligible for this opportunity. Other state political subdivisions, including federally recognized and state-acknowledged tribes, are also eligible if the projects they apply for are aligned with recommendations from an MVP-approved climate resilience plan. In addition, partnerships of municipalities for which the lead applicant is MVP-designated are eligible. A 10% municipal total project cost cash and/or in-kind match is required. Contact Julia Moore at jmoore@cmrpc.org or Will Talbot at wtalbot@cmrpc.org for more information. 

Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office: This is a new resource that is currently offering federal funding opportunities to qualifying local and tribal governments. This recently introduced Federal Funding initiative presents as an invaluable resource for local leaders, aiding them to optimize federal funding prospects for the benefit of Massachusetts communities. 

Public Electric Vehicle Charging (rolling): The Electric Vehicle Charging Program provides resources to help determine the costs of proposed Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, as well as identifying potential funding sources. For more information contact the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. 

Technical Assistance for Adoption of Building Energy Codes Assistance (rolling) The Technical Assistance for Adoption of Building Energy Codes Assistance grant will support states and local jurisdictions in adopting, implementing, and enforcing zero energy codes, or equivalent codes and standards, improve residential and commercial construction and retrofits, and transitioning the building stock to more efficient, decarbonized buildings. For more information contact IRACodes@hq.doe.gov 

 Lead Service Line Replacement Program (rolling): The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) are offering 0% percent interest construction loans to lead service line replacement and planning projects grants for assisting public water suppliers with completing planning projects for lead service line inventories and replacement programs. For more information contact MassWaterTrust@tre.state.ma.us  

Cyber Resilient Massachusetts Grant Program (rolling): The Cyber Resilient Massachusetts Grant Program allows eligible municipalities to be awarded up to $25,000 for cybersecurity technology upgrades. Grants will be determined through a cybersecurity vulnerability assessment to build a municipality’s defense against cybersecurity threats. For more information contact Maxwell Fathy at proposals@masstech.orgmailto:ATIIP@dot.gov

Clean Bus Planning Awards (rolling): The Clean Bus Planning Awards program aids in reducing barriers to zero-emission bus deployment by aiding school and transit bus fleets with technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized fleet electrification transition plans. For more information contact CBPA@nrel.gov 

EDA Public Works Program (rolling): The EDA Public Works program provides funding to help communities build, design, or engineer critical infrastructure and facilities. Examples of projects include water and sewer system improvements and the creation or expansion of industrial parks. Projects must advance the EDA’s Investment priorities and be consistent with the region’s current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). They also must be in a geographic region subject to the EDA’s economic distress criteria. The typical EDA cost share rate for projects is 50 percent. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofit organizations. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Contact Kerrie Salwa at ksalwa@cmrpc.org for more information. 

EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) (rolling): The EDA’s EAA program provides investments that support a wide range of construction and non-construction activities. Examples of projects include the construction or upgrading of public infrastructure and the procurement of equipment for workforce training programs. Projects must advance the EDA’s Investment priorities and be consistent with the region’s current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). They also must be in a geographic region subject to the EDA’s economic distress criteria. The typical EDA cost share rate for projects is 50 percent. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofit organizations. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Contact Kerrie Salwa at ksalwa@cmrpc.org for more information. 

EDA Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs (rolling): The EDA’s Planning and Local Technical Assistance programs are designed to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment. The Planning program assists eligible recipients in managing and coordinating the development and implementation of regional economic development plans, such as Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), and plans to guide the creation and/or retention of high-quality jobs and private investment attraction. The Local Technical Assistance program strengthens the capacity of local, regional, or State organizations and institutions to undertake economic development projects such as feasibility studies, impact analyses, disaster resiliency plans, and project planning. Projects must advance the EDA’s Investment priorities. The typical EDA cost share rate for projects is 50 percent. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofits. Contact Kerrie Salwa at ksalwa@cmrpc.org for more information. 

Rural Business Investment Program (rolling): The Rural Business Investment Program provides a Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC) license to newly formed developmental capital organizations to aid in meeting equity capital investment needs in rural communities. For more information contact RBIP@usda.gov  

Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance (rolling): This program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing Rural Energy Development Assistance (REDA). Funds must be provided to agricultural producers and small businesses in eligible rural areas. Government organizations, rural electric cooperatives, and public power entities are among the eligible organizations. For more information contact Jordan Henault at Jordan.henault@usda.gov  

On-Farm Labor Housing Loans (rolling): This program provides affordable financing to develop or rehabilitate affordable rental housing for very low to moderate-income domestic, migrant, and seasonal farm laborers. It also provides funding used to increase the supply of affordable housing for farm labor; and the ability of the farmer to provide affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary housing for farm workers. Individual farm owners, family farmers, and farmer associations are among those eligible to apply. For more information contact the USDA Processing and Report Review Branch at MFHprocessing1@usda.gov  

Community Facilities Loan & Grant Program (rolling): This program provides funds to improve, construct, develop, and finance essential community facilities for rural communities such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, certain schools, childcare centers, fire and rescue, public safety facilities, libraries, and town halls. Government organizations, public bodies, and community-based non-profit organizations are among those eligible to apply. For more information contact Lyndon Nichols at lyndon.nichols@ma.usda.gov  

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program (rolling): This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and stormwater drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Funds can be used to buy, build, repair, and improve public water and waste treatment and collection systems. Government organizations and non-profit organizations are among those eligible to apply. For more information contact Lyndon Nichols at lyndon.nichols@ma.usda.gov  

Brownfields Job Training Grants (due August 15, 2024): The Brownfields Job Training Grant program funds brownfield-related job training and placement to local unemployed or under-employed individuals. For more information contact Matt Wosjie at Wosje.Matthew@epa.gov  

Stream Crossing Co-Benefits Research (due August 16, 2024): Pew is seeking proposals from organizations to provide a policy and design assessment that identifies recommendations and opportunities for maximizing co-benefits that design stream crossings (bridges and culverts) addressing hydrological-related climate impacts and aquatic and terrestrial species movement. For more information contact Chip Heil at StreamCrossing@pewtrusts.org  

History of Equal Rights Grant Program (due August 20, 2024): The History of Equal Rights grant program supports site preservation related to struggles for any or all people to achieve equal rights in America. The grant program is not limited to any specific group and is intended to coalesce the possible interpretation of sites synonymous with efforts to achieve equal rights. This program will fund physical preservation and pre-preservation planning efforts for sites listed in or determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or as a National Historic Landmark. For more information contact STLPG@nps.gov.  

Broadband Technical Assistance (due August 20, 2024): This program provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training. This program supports project planning, community engagement, financial sustainability, environmental compliance, construction planning and engineering, and data collection & reporting. Government organizations, non-profit organizations, and private businesses are among those eligible to apply. For more information contact Lyndon Nichols at lyndon.nichols@ma.usda.gov  

Technical Assistance Provider Sub-Award (due August 23, 2024): The Technical Assistance Provider Sub-Award offers guidance and training to local producers, food, and farm businesses, with an emphasis on tailoring support to individual needs and unique food systems in the Northeast region. For more information contact NortheastRFBC@nasda.org.  

Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current (due August 26, 2024): The Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current is federally funded through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) program, provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). This funding opportunity aims to deliver mitigation funding to the disaster survivor experience and reduce or eliminate flood risk to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participating communities, and repetitive flood damage to structures and buildings insured by the NFIP, following the event of a flood-related disaster while enhancing community flood resilience. For more information contact mtegrants@fema.dhs.gov. 

Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program (due August 28, 2024): The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program provides funding to deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure and other alternative fueling infrastructure. For more information contact CFIGrants@dot.gov. 

Underrepresented Communities Grant Program (due August 29, 2024): The Underrepresented Communities grant program aims to diversify listings submitted to the National Register of Historic Places. Projects may include inventories and surveys of historic properties associated with communities underrepresented in the National Register, and the development of nominations to the National Register for specific sites. For more information contact STLPG@nps.gov.  

Water Management Act Grant Program (due August 30, 2024): This grant program is designed to assist eligible public water suppliers and municipalities with Water Management Act permits by providing funds for planning assistance, demand management, and withdrawal impact mitigation projects in local communities. To register for an information session please email courtney.starling@mass.gov 

Enhancing Mobility Innovation (due August 30, 2024): The Enhancing Mobility Innovation program funds projects that improve rider experience in transit through innovative and technological advancements. The program’s vision of mobility is for all users to have safe, dependable, equitable, and accessible support to complete trips. For more information contact Natalie Covill-Fontaine at n.covillfontaine@dot.gov.  

 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (Anticipated August 2024) Funding from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) and the Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program (TCGP) helps eligible entities address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems owned or operated by—or on behalf of—SLT governments and Tribal governments. Through two distinct Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), SLCGP and TCGP combined will make available $1 billion over four years to support projects throughout the performance period of up to four years which established the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, “appropriating $1 billion to be awarded over four years, including $200 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and $400 million in FY23.” For more information, contact us at crhsac@cmrpc.org 

Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program (due September 4, 2024): The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program is a competitive grant with the goal of reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and maintaining & improving habitat connectivity for aquatic and terrestrial species. Funding will support construction and non-construction projects. For more information contact Freida Byrd at wildlifecrossings@dot.gov  

Composting and Food Waste Reduction Pilot Project (due September 4, 2024) The Composting and Food Waste Reduction Pilot Project assists municipal and local governments with projects that evaluate and develop strategies for planning and implementing compost plans and food waste reduction plans. Implementation activities will increase access to compost for agricultural producers, improving soil quality and encouraging innovative scalable waste management plans that aim to reduce and divert food waste from landfills. For more information contact Jose Berna at jose.berna@usda.gov  

Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize (due September 4, 2024): The Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize is a three-phase competition awarding up to $4 million to competitors to increase the production and use of critical materials recovered from electronic scrap, also known as e-scrap. Eligible participants can include individuals, teams of individuals, private entities, and nonfederal government entities. For more information visit www.americanmadechallenges.org/challenges/e-scrap.  

African American Civil Rights Grant Program (due September 5, 2024): The African American Civil Rights Grant Program interprets, documents, and preserves sites and stories related to the African American struggle to gain equal rights as citizens. This competitive grant program will fund a broad range of development, planning, and research projects for historic sites including inventory, surveying, documentation, interpretation, education, architectural services, preservation planning, historic structure reporting, and bricks-and-mortar repair. For more information contact STLPG@nps.gov. 

Outdoor Recreation Inclusive and Accessible Events Grants Program (due September 13, 2024): The Outdoor Recreation Inclusive and Accessible Events Grants Program will provide up to $10,000 to eligible organizations to create new inclusive and/or accessible outdoor recreation events or support existing outdoor recreation events, with expanding or creating new and inclusive accessible components. For more information contact Paul Jahnige at Paul.L.Jahnige@mass.gov 

National Culvert Removal (due September 23, 2024): The National Culvert Removal provides funding for projects seeking to meaningfully restore, improve, remove, or replace culverts for anadromous fish. For more information contact Ryan J. Buck at CulvertAOP@dot.gov 

MS4 Grant Program (due September 26, 2024): This program, introduced in 2017, enables groups of Massachusetts municipalities to expand their efforts to meet requirements for the 2016 Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permits, and to reduce stormwater pollution through coordinated partnerships that emphasize resource sharing. To register for an information session please email courtney.starling@mass.gov  

Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program (due September 30, 2024): The Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant program focuses on improvements to infrastructure for access to daily needs such as jobs, healthcare, education, nature, food, recreation, and fostering equitable development, especially in communities previously harmed by transportation infrastructure. For more information contact Andrew Emanuele at Andrew.emanuele@dot.gov.  

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (due October 31, 2024) The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program assists states, local governments, and tribes in implementing strategies for energy reduction, reducing fossil fuel emissions, and improving energy efficiency. For more information contact eecbg@hq.doe.gov 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) (Anticipated October 2024): BRIC supports states, local communities, tribes, and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The program’s guiding principles are supporting communities through capability and capacity building; encouraging and enabling innovation; promoting partnerships; enabling large infrastructure projects; maintaining flexibility; and providing consistency. For more information, contact Marc Granato at mgranato@cmrpc.org. 

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) (Anticipated October 2024): The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant is a competitive program that provides funding to states, federally recognized Tribal governments, U.S. territories, and local governments. Funds are for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA chooses recipients based on the applicant’s ranking of the project, eligibility, and cost-effectiveness of the project. FEMA requires applicants to have a current hazard mitigation plan. For more information, contact Marc Granato at mgranato@cmrpc.org. 

Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants (due November 1, 2024) The Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants allow municipalities and non-profit groups to protect and improve their urban forests. This 50/50 matching grant helps grow, develop, and sustain programs that protect, plan, and maintain a community’s public tree resources and develop partnerships with residents and institutions in the community. For more information contact julie.coop@state.ma.us 

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants (rolling through November 2024): These grants benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase climate resilience, and build capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. For more information, contact Julia Moore at jmoore@cmrpc.org or Micaela Leonarte Paredes, Federal Funds & Infrastructure Office at Micaela.leonarteparedes@mass.gov