Help With Federal Grants

Does your local government, business, or nonprofit need help with federal grants? Our office can support your work by writing a letter of support, connecting you with a federal grant congressional liaison to answer any questions you may have, obtaining a review of your application with feedback about why your grant was denied, providing guidance on improving future applications, and working with our colleagues in federal agencies to identify potential federal grants that could fund your proposed project.

If you would like assistance with the federal grant process, complete the form below!

In Case You Missed It: 2026 Federal Funding Strategies Seminar

Upcoming Event: Rural Communities Assistance Program & Small Communities Environmental Infrastructure Group Webinar

On October 8, 2026, the Office of Congresswoman Emilia Sykes will host a webinar with the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership to discuss the Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) and Ohio Small Communities Environmental Infrastructure Group (SCEIG). These programs offer targeted technical assistance, resources, and networking opportunities to develop, improve, and maintain safe and sustainable environmental infrastructure systems, while enhancing access to funding and leadership capacity.

Registration is required to attend this webinar. Please RSVP at the link below to join us!

Federal Funding Opportunity Highlights

Securing federal funding for our communities is a top priority for Congresswoman Sykes, and you are encouraged to let us know if you are experiencing issues with accessing awarded funding, anticipate issues, or are simply not sure where you or your organization stands.

Please use the form below to provide our office with more information on how you are impacted.

Please know, as the current administration continues to make swift changes to federal funding, all of the funding opportunities below are current at the time of this newsletter’s publication, but the Office of Congresswoman Sykes cannot guarantee that each of these opportunities will be fully funded. Additionally, many federal agencies commonly release Notices of Funding Opportunities with deadlines only two to four weeks out. The grants below with deadlines in red are quickly approaching.

Infrastructure

Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 USDA Rural Utilities Service, Water and Environmental Programs Community Project Funding (CPF) and Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) via Ohio USDA
Deadline: Not applicable

The Water and Waste Disposal Grant Program may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of drinking water source, treatment, storage and distribution; sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal; solid waste collection, disposal and closure; and storm water collection, transmission, and discharge. Irrigation is not an eligible project use. Eligible uses are described in 7 CFR Part 1780.9 - Eligible loan and grant purposes.

Eligible entities include public bodies, non-profit organizations, and federally recognized tribes located in rural areas, including tribal lands, with a population of 10,000 or less based on the 2020 Decennial Census. For WEP CPF/CDS in FY 2026 funding, recipients will be required to provide a 25% non-federal cost share (this may be obtained from WEP in the form of a low interest rate loan).

Ohio USDA prefers eligible entities contact them directly prior to submitting their application:

Charles Tassell
State Director, OH
Rural Development, USDA
Charles.Tassell@USDA.gov
200 N. High St. #507
Columbus, OH 43215

Charles A. Dietz
Community Program Director, OH
Rural Development, USDA
charles.dietz@usda.gov
200 N High Street, Room 507
Columbus, OH 43215
Office: 614.255.2431 | Cell: 614.507.9485

Brown Fields Job Training Grant

Deadline: September 23, 2026

EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Program provides technical assistance to help nonprofits, local governments, and other eligible organizations build local workforces to perform assessment, cleanup, or preparation of contaminated sites (including brownfields) for reuse.

Training programs funded by Brownfields Job Training Grants enable program graduates to obtain skills to secure full-time, sustainable employment in various aspects of hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, and petroleum products within the larger environmental field, including sustainable remediation, chemical safety and site preparation for the revitalization of brownfields. Training programs prioritize unemployed and under-employed residents of communities impacted by a variety of waste facilities, blighted properties and contaminated sites.

F27AS00008- North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA 2027-1) US Standard Grants

Deadline: September 25, 2026

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard grants are competitive, matching grants that support public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the U.S. that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. A 1 to 1 match to grant ratio is a requirement.

FY26 Bureau of Land Management Plant Conservation and Restoration Management - Bureau wide

Deadline: September 28, 2026

The Bureau of Land Management’s Plant Conservation and Restoration Program (PCRP) is a national leader in building the native seed supply chain essential for restoring resilient public lands and supporting multiple use and sustained yield. PCRP advances Department of the Interior mission to protect and manage America's natural resources. The native seed PCRP adds to the commercial market enables rapid recovery following wildfire, hurricanes, and other natural disasters; can be used by proponents to help satisfy revegetation requirements for energy and infrastructure projects; and helps farmers and creates jobs by expanding market access for small producers.

A core mission of PCRP is to grow the national native seed supply chain through partnerships with eligible state, tribal, academic, and non-governmental organizations. Reliable native seed supplies are critical to improving rangeland health, restoring wildlife habitat and migration corridors, reclaiming mined and timber-harvested lands, and reducing invasive species. Expanding this pipeline lowers seed costs, reduces producer risk, creates American jobs, and ensures long-term project success with durable vegetative establishment.

FY25 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology

Deadline: September 30, 2026

ONR, ONRG, and MCWL are interested in receiving proposals for Long-Range S&T Projects that offer potential for advancement and improvement of Navy and Marine Corps operations. Readers should note that this is an announcement to declare ONR, ONRG and MCWL’s broad role in competitive funding of meritorious research across a spectrum of science and engineering disciplines.

All responsible sources from academia, industry and the research community worldwide may submit proposals under this BAA. All businesses, both small and large, are encouraged to submit proposals and compete for funding consideration.

Rural Decentralized Water System Grant Program

Deadline: September 30, 2026

The DWS Grant Program has been established to help individuals with low to moderate incomes finance certain costs of household water wells and individually owned decentralized wastewater systems that they own or will own. Grants are made to eligible nonprofit organizations to establish and maintain a revolving fund to provide loans and sub-grants to eligible individuals for individually owned water well systems and/or individually owned wastewater systems. Loan and/or sub-grant funds may be used by the individual to construct, refurbish, rehabilitate, or replace decentralized water well or wastewater systems. For water well systems, funds may be used up to the point of entry to a home, which is the junction where water enters into a home water delivery system after being pumped from a well. For wastewater systems, in lieu of the point of entry, the point of exit is substituted. The point of exit is the junction where wastewater exits out of the home wastewater collection system into the septic tank and drain field. DWS grant funds may be used by the nonprofit recipient to pay administrative expenses associated with providing DWS loans and/or sub-grants.

2026 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program

Deadline: October 12, 2026

The intent of the National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share grant program is to advance solutions to the economic, health, and environmental challenges faced by communities. This year’s program focuses on advancing community tree resource utilization, which can reduce waste and create value by turning wood generated from pruning, removals, storm events, and pest or disease outbreaks into useful products. These products may include lumber, slabs, furniture, flooring, biochar, or other materials that strengthen local economies, reduce disposal costs, and improve community resilience.

The program seeks practical, creative, and replicable projects that help communities establish or expand wood-utilization efforts. Competitive proposals will demonstrate how the project supports existing community forestry plans, applies industry-recognized safety and tree-care standards, and delivers clear economic, environmental, or workforce benefits. Projects should outline anticipated wood products, partnerships with professional or industry organizations, and opportunities for job creation, training, or certification.

This program is intended for communities and their partners seeking to improve the management and use of their urban and community forests. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other community-based partners.

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

Deadline: October 13, 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry, is requesting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). CFP is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits including public recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based educational programs. Public access is required for all projects.

Engineer Research Development Center (ERDC) Broad Agency Announcement
Deadline: January 31, 2027

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is issuing this announcement for various research and development topic areas. The ERDC consists of the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL), the Environmental Laboratory (EL) and the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) in Vicksburg, Mississippi, the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, New Hampshire, the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign, Illinois, and the Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL) in Alexandria, Virginia. The ERDC is responsible for conducting research in the broad fields of hydraulics, dredging, coastal engineering, instrumentation, oceanography, remote sensing, geotechnical engineering, earthquake engineering, soil effects, vehicle mobility, self-contained munitions, military engineering, geophysics, pavements, protective structures, aquatic plants, water quality, dredged material, treatment of hazardous waste, wetlands, physical/mechanical/ chemical properties of snow and other frozen precipitation, infrastructure and environmental issues for installations, computer science, telecommunications management, energy, facilities maintenance, materials and structures, engineering processes, environmental processes, land and heritage conservation, and ecological processes.

This announcement is continuously open; pre-proposals may be submitted and will be reviewed at any time throughout the year. The availability of funds may limit the ability of the U.S. Government to make awards in specific areas, nevertheless pre-proposals are sought under this announcement for all research areas identified.

Economic Development

Agriculture Risk Management Education Partnerships Competitive Grants Program

Deadline: September 21, 2026

The purpose of ARME, Assistance Listing 10.520, is to educate agricultural producers about the full range of risk management activities. These activities include futures, options, agricultural trade options, crop insurance, cash forward contracting, debt reduction, production diversification, marketing plans and tactics, farm resources risk reduction, and other appropriate risk management strategies. The program authority specifies that special emphasis shall be placed on farm viability and risk management strategies (including farm financial benchmarking, business planning and technical assistance, market assessment, transfer and succession planning, and crop insurance participation), education, and outreach specifically focused at farmers and ranchers in Section 133 of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1524 (a)).

Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant

Deadline: October 05, 2026

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support expanding career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector and elevating public awareness about jobs in the water workforce. Eligible applicants under this funding opportunity are Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), nonprofit organizations, and public works departments and agencies. Eligible activities include apprenticeship and internship programs, education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students, regional industry collaborations, and training programs designed to support decentralized workforce. Efforts should aim for measurable results and clearly show tangible benefits for water systems and communities.

FY26 Bureau of Land Management Youth Conservation Corps - Bureau wide

Deadline: October 16, 2026

The BLM Youth Program partners with qualified youth corps through the Public Lands Corp (PLC) Program to engage individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive), including tribal members. The PLC program mandates employing youth who are interested in working on natural and cultural resource projects that protect public lands.Projects available under the PLC Program are developed in collaboration with the State Youth Program Lead and District/Field Office project coordinators. The projects emphasize hands-on engagement in on-the-ground projects, skill development training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. These projects create jobs that strengthen America"s economy and foster relationships with youth corps organizations striving for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.Proposed projects within this funding opportunity notice will support the goals of the PLC Program and may also incorporate the goals of the Indian Youth Service Corps Program through outreach to Indian tribes and tribal-serving youth corps organizations.

Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Competition

Deadline: October 20, 2026

AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture. This funding announcement is an opportunity for communities to apply for funding to engage adults ages 55 and older in tackling the community’s most pressing needs through the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program. This is an open competition across all states and territories.

SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program (Parent SB1 Clinical Trial Optional)

Deadline: April 5, 2029

The Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) program helps small business concerns (SBCs) move NIH-funded SBIR or STTR projects from late-stage development to commercialization. The CRP supports later-stage research and development (R&D) and/or technical assistance that Phase II and Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough awards do not typically support. This includes:Independent replication or confirmation of key studiesIND- or IDE-enabling studiesClinical studiesManufacturing scale-up and related quality activitiesRegulatory and other specialized technical supportSBCs may subcontract (outsource) a significant amount of the work in a CRP to meet the project goals.

NIH, CDC and FDA Small Business Innovation Research Grant (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Optional)

Deadline: April 5, 2027

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program helps United States small business concerns (SBCs) bring scientific innovations to the marketplace. The SBIR program supports feasibility studies to later research and development (R&D) needed to develop a commercial product. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) use these programs to help US-owned and operated small businesses develop promising technologies and products that support their missions to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans.

This NOFO supports a small business to do the research and development (R&D) needed to develop a commercial product. The small business should propose to do the majority of the research or analytical effort, and the Program Director/Principal investigator (PD/PI) should be primarily employed by the small business. SBIR projects allow for limited research or analytical effort to be done by research partners or consultants.

2023-2025 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (PWEAA) Grant

Deadline: None (Until funding has been expended)

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has updated its 2023-2025 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (PWEAA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to specify EDA’s updated investment priorities and to make other technical changes. The EDA has authority to provide grants to meet the full range of communities’ and regions’ economic development needs from planning and technical assistance to construction of infrastructure.

EDA supports bottom-up strategies that build on regional assets to spur economic growth and resiliency. EDA encourages its grantees throughout the country to develop initiatives that present new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.

The EDA’s investment priorities are: Critical Infrastructure, Workforce, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Economic Recovery Resilience, and Manufacturing. Additional details on the agency's investment priorities can be found here: https://www.eda.gov/funding/investment-priorities

Improving Outcomes

OVC FY 2026 Preventing Trafficking of Girls

Deadline: September 29, 2026

This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OVC FY 2026 Preventing Trafficking of Girls. This opportunity will support prevention and early intervention services for girls who are at risk of, or are victims of, human trafficking as defined by 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11).

OVC FY 2026 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking

Deadline: September 29, 2026

This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OVC FY 2026 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking. This opportunity will develop, expand, and strengthen victim service programs for victims of human trafficking, as defined by 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11).

Stand Down Grants

Deadline Extended: September 30, 2026 (previously September 30, 2025)

Stand Down is a military term referring to an opportunity to achieve a brief respite from combat. Troops assemble in a base camp to receive new clothing, hot food, support services, and a relative degree of safety before returning to combat action. A DOL VETS-funded Stand Down event serves a similar purpose; however, it is intended for veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. The critical services provided at these events are often the catalyst that enables those individuals to reenter the workforce.

VETS awards these noncompetitive grants on a first-come, first-served basis to support one-day or multi-day events at up to $7,000 or $10,000, respectively. They are collaborative events coordinated between VA, DOL, other federal, state, and local government agencies and community-based organizations providing services and supplies to veterans experiencing and at risk of homelessness. In the event of a federal disaster declaration, VETS will accept applications up to $50,000 to conduct Stand Down events in the impacted areas.

DoW Arthritis Translational Research Award

Deadline: October 22, 2026

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Arthritis Research Program (ATRP) Translational Research Award (TRA) supports high-impact translational research that will accelerate critical findings into clinically relevant solutions. Research funded under this award mechanism will be hypothesis-driven, high-impact applied research that is relevant to Service Members, Veterans, their Families and the American public. Research addressing any and all types of arthritis is encouraged.

Distinctive Features: The FY26 ATRP TRA mechanism is intended to support preclinical or animal research and may not be used for clinical research or clinical trials. Basic research, as defined in Section 3.1.2, is not allowed. A key aspect of this award mechanism is impact. The application should explicitly state how outcomes of the proposed research will significantly advance arthritis research, particularly in accelerating critical findings into clinically relevant solutions.

Preliminary and/or published data, originating from research conducted by the applicant(s) or others, is required.

Examining the Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Healthcare Safety (R18)
Deadline: May 25, 2027
The purpose of this NOFO is to invite grant applications that support healthcare safety by determining (1) whether and how certain breakthrough uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems can affect patient safety; and (2) how AI systems can be safely implemented and used. AI has the potential to improve the safety, effectiveness, efficiency, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare. However, as with most technologies, this potential must be balanced by identifying and mitigating potential risks for patient harm and user burden.

Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs) for NCI-designated Cancer Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)
Deadline: September 25, 2028

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for P30 Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs) to support NCI-Designated Cancer Centers. CCSGs support three types of Cancer Centers: 1) Comprehensive Cancer Centers, which demonstrate reasonable depth and breadth of research activities in each of three major areas: basic laboratory; clinical; and prevention, control and population-based research, and which have substantial transdisciplinary research that bridges these scientific areas; and 2) Clinical Cancer Centers, which are primarily focused on basic laboratory; clinical; and prevention, cancer control, and population-based research; or some combination of these areas, and 3) Basic Cancer Centers, which focus on basic laboratory research. The purpose of all types of NCI-Designated Cancer Centers is to capitalize on all institutional cancer research capabilities, integrating meritorious research into a single transdisciplinary research enterprise across all institutional boundaries. Cancer Centers supported through this NOFO are expected to serve as major sources of discovery of the nature of cancer and of development of more effective approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and therapy; to contribute significantly to the development of Shared Resources that support research; to collaborate and coordinate their research efforts with other NCI-funded programs and investigators; and to disseminate research findings for the benefit of the community.

NIGMS Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program (T34)
Deadline: September 25, 2028

The goal of the Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) program is to strengthen research training environments and develop a pool of well-trained students who: Complete their baccalaureate degrees in biomedically-related fields, and Transition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs (such as Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.).Specifically, this funding announcement provides support to eligible, domestic organizations to develop and implement effective, evidence-informed approaches to biomedical undergraduate training and mentoring to help build a strong biomedical research workforce for the nation. Applicant organizations must enroll undergraduate students and have received NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding averaging less than $50 million in total costs (direct and F&A/indirect) per year over the last three fiscal years (FY). To promote undergraduate research training opportunities across a range of eligible organizations, the program will accept applications in two tracks: Single Site: To support trainees from a single baccalaureate-degree granting organization. Community College Partnerships: To support community college trainee development through strong collaborations between at least one associate-degree granting organization (that is, a community college) and at least one baccalaureate-degree granting organization. The proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, and career development elements to prepare trainees for careers that will have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the nation.

Systems-Based Approaches to Improve Patient Safety by Improving Healthcare Worker Safety and Well-Being (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Deadline: January 29, 2029

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to advance system-level approaches to improve patient safety by improving healthcare worker safety and well-being. Patient safety cannot be fully achieved without healthcare worker safety and well-being. This NOFO will contribute to AHRQ’s goal of reinvigorating the patient safety movement by adding fresh perspectives and insights of healthcare professionals to efforts to improve patient safety.

Arts & Culture

Annual Program Statement for U.S. Presentation at International Art Biennales
Upcoming application cycle begins November 1, 2026
Deadline: January 30, 2027

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Cultural Programs Division (ECA/PE/C/CU) seeks to advance international understanding of American values by exposing foreign audiences to innovative and compelling works of art that reflect and promote American values and foster international dialogue on shared global challenges.

The International Art Biennale is a prestigious bi-annual festival organized by La Biennale di Venezia, in Venice, Italy, featuring contemporary artists from around the world. The U.S. exhibition will be installed at the U.S. Pavilion, owned by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and operated by the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. The U.S. Pavilion at the Biennale is a high-profile platform for illustrating the innovation, ingenuity, high artistic merit, and breadth of the American arts community. Typically, at least 85 countries including the United States, participate in the Venice Biennales.

District Dollars At Work

In August, Congresswoman Emilia Sykes delivered ceremonial checks to projects across the district in celebration of their FY26 Community Project Funding awards.

August 21, 2026

Downtown Akron Main Street Project

City of Akron - $1,200,000

August 21, 2026

East Copley District Safe and Vibrant Streets Study

City of Akron - $250,000

August 21, 2026

City of Barberton Justice Center Technology and Equipment

City of Barberton - $1,031,000

August 21, 2026

Cleveland Avenue NW Streetscape

City of Canton, $850,000

August 21, 2026

Clinton Road Rehabilitation Project

Village of Clinton, $250,000

August 24, 2026

Rosemont Preserve Restoration Project

City of Fairlawn - $1,200,000

August 26, 2026

Guise Park Lodge Renovation Project

City of Munroe Falls - $450,000

August 26, 2026

Cuyahoga Falls for Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project

City of Cuyahoga Falls - $1,092,000

Search the Federal Funding Database

The Federal Funding Database provides federal grant opportunities organized by the month of their release and the agency which has jurisdiction over the funding. The spreadsheet allows you to search for federal funding opportunities using keywords, agencies, and identifying information that may match your project or initiative.

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