Advanced Education Nursing Grants

The Department of Health and Human Services will award approximately 55 grants, (with an award ceiling of $250,000), to collegiate schools of nursing, academic health centers, and other private or public nonprofit entities accredited by a recognized body or bodies or State agency, approved for the purpose of nursing education by the Secretary of Education.

The deadline for applications is February 16, 2010, and full guidelines can be accessed here.

Science and Engineering Ph.D. grant

The National Science Foundation will be accepting applications for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program. This grant has been developed to meet the challenges of educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists and engineers who will pursue careers in research and education, with the interdisciplinary backgrounds, deep knowledge in chosen disciplines, and technical, professional, and personal skills to become, in their own careers, leaders and creative agents for change.

The program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate education, for students, faculty, and institutions, by establishing innovative new models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. It is also intended to facilitate diversity in student participation and preparation, and to contribute to a world-class, broadly inclusive, and globally engaged science and engineering workforce.

Small Business Advantage Grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is currently accepting applications for the Small Business Advantage Grant program. These 50% matching grants can help a small business reduce energy consumption or address pollution issues with funding up to $7,500. Applications are due by January 15, 2010, and full guidelines can be found here.

Two new Healthcare grants from HHS

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced two new healthcare information technology grants to support workforce development. According to their December 23, 2009 press release:

"Authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the grants will work to help strengthen and support the health IT workforce. The new grant programs will award $32 million to establish university-based certificate and advanced degree health IT training programs and $6 million dollars to develop a health IT competency examination program. These awards, together with the previous announced $80 million in workforce program grants (Community College Consortia on Nov. 24, 2009, and Curriculum Development Centers on Dec. 15, 2009), recognize the critical importance of developing a well-trained health IT workforce to support the adoption and meaningful use of health IT."

USDA hosts roundtables on job creation

The United States Department of Agriculture will be holding a series of forums and roundtables, which their press release describes as bringing together "business owners, community members, state and local officials, union members, non-profit organizations, economists and other interested parties. Participants will discuss on steps that can to be taken to grow the economy and put Americans back to work. Some of the roundtables may be regional in order to focus on shared interests, economic conditions and cooperative solutions."

According to DOLETA, "The primary focus will be on ideas to accelerate job growth in rural America. Some of the topics to be discussed are:

* exploring ways to rejuvenate and promote local businesses;
* Creating jobs by rebuilding America's infrastructure;
* Creating new opportunities from existing ones, such as with value-added agricultural products;
* Supporting job growth among small businesses; and
* Preparing workers for 21st century jobs."

The Global Jobs Outlook

An informative new report developed by the International Institute of Labour Studies details projections for job losses, workforce opportunities and strategies, and implementation of the Global Jobs Pact. The findings demonstrate that over 20 million jobs have been lost during the global crisis, and millions more are at risk. Potential solutions to addressing the loss of jobs or creating new jobs are detailed.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration recently issued a new report, "Nurturing America's Growth in the Global Marketplace," outlining the initial results and strategies developed under the Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative Grants.

$222 million approved for prisoner re-entry funding

According to the Re-entry Policy Council, the Senate passed an appropriations bill that will allocate $100 million in competitive grants for the Second Chance Act grant programs and support other prisoner workforce opportunities, such as technology training, nonprofit mentoring, and education. The appropriations bill also provides $108,493,000 for reentry programs in the Department of Labor, including $15 million for a transitional jobs grant program. Learn more about prisoner re-entry programs here.

Presidential STEM Faculty Awards

The National Science Foundation is accepting nominations for outstanding faculty involved in STEM mentoring activities. According to the announcement, "Individuals must have demonstrated outstanding and sustained mentoring and effective guidance to a significant number of underrepresented students at the K-12, undergraduate, or graduate education level during a minimum of five years."

The first deadline for applications is March 2010. Read the full announcement here.

Adult Education awards open

The Commission on Adult Basic Education has several awards open for submission until December 31, 2009. Categories include awards for teachers, adult learners, workplace literacy programs, and more. More details can be found here.

Learn and Serve grants coming soon

The Corporation for National and Community Service has released preliminary information regarding this year's Learn and Serve grants. This year's focus will be on projects directed at STEM and teacher training.

Grants available for science education

A partnership between Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and the National Science Teachers Association, the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program offers grants to K–12 science teachers for innovative projects that enhance science education in the school and/or school district. Fifty large grants and a minimum of 20 mini-grants, totaling $550,000 in all, will be awarded this year. To apply for funding, qualified teachers must write a Toyota TAPESTRY proposal according to the proposal requirements. The deadline for the completion of the online application is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday, January 18, 2010.

Crawford Co. Heritage Foundation

The Crawford County Heritage Foundation's deadline for grant applications is quickly approaching. Applications must be postmarked no later than January 2, 2010. For more information on eligibility and submissions, visit their website: www.crawfordheritage.org

HHS announces several Health IT grants

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has opened multiple grant opportunities to support training and curriculum development for the emerging Health IT sector. Four year institutions interested in expanding or creating a Health IT professional program may want to explore the new workforce training grant, due January 25, 2010, that makes $32 million available for shorter-term (one year or less) courses and certifications.

HHS will also grant approximately four organizations awards from a $60 million allocation to focus on Strategic Health IT Advanced Research Projects, examining advanced breakthroughs and more effective adoption of technologies through cooperative agreements.

To learn more about these and other HHS Health IT initiatives under the Recovery Act, visit their website at http://healthit.hhs.gov.

FY 2010 Measurement, Science and Engineering Research Grants Programs; Availability of Funds

SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
announces that the following programs are soliciting applications for
financial assistance for FY 2010: (1) The Electronics and Electrical
Engineering Laboratory Grants Program; (2) the Manufacturing
Engineering Laboratory Grants Program; (3) the Chemical Science and
Technology Laboratory Grants Program; (4) the Physics Laboratory Grants
Program; (5) the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory Grants
Program; (6) the Building Research Grants and Cooperative Agreements
Program; (7) the Fire Research Grants Program; (8) the Information
Technology Laboratory Grants Program; (9) the NIST Center for Neutron
Research Grants Program; (10) Center for Nanoscale Science and
Technology Grants Program; and (11) the Technology Services Grants
Program.

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-29825.htm

Nearly $20 million available for wind projects

Latest Investment to Create Jobs in One of America’s Fastest Growing States for Wind Energy

Harrisburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell announced that $19.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding is now available for large-scale wind projects that will generate clean energy, spur new orders for the Keystone State’s green energy manufacturers, and put Pennsylvanians back to work.

Application deadline is 4 p.m. on Dec. 31.

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: http://www.ahs2.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=5760

SBDC Portable Assistance Program

Eligible Applicants: Lead Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) for the specific purpose of providing programs and services for small businesses in communities suffering economic hardship attributable to the downsizing or closing of businesses or government facilities. Eligibility Explanation: An eligible candidate is an existing SBDC recipient organization currently funded under the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program.

Current Closing Date for Applications: Feb 11, 2010
Expected Number of Awards:18
Estimated Total Program Funding:$1,742,011
Award Ceiling: $100,000
Award Floor: $10,000
CFDA Number(s): 59.037 -- Small Business Development Center

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_program_office/sbdc_2010_portable_assist_proj.pdf

Weatherization Assistance Program Training Centers

Current Closing Date for Applications: Jan 21, 2010
Expected Number of Awards: 30
Estimated Total Program Funding: $30,000,000
Award Ceiling: $1,000,000
Award Floor: $100,000
CFDA Number(s): 81.042--Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50611

Erie Community Foundation Arts & Culture grants

Arts & Culture Grants are Due on January 15th by the end of the business day by mailing or dropping off your application at 459 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16507. Please note: NEW GRANT REQUIREMENTS!

Projects funded may include:

* Requests from visual and performing arts organizations
* Requests from cultural institutions such as the zoo, libraries and museums
* Requests from nonprofits working to develop programs in arts and culture that grow audiences and/or promote the region’s cultural heritage

For more information, visit the Erie Community Foundation's website at http://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org

HEALTHCARE--Open grant applications

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has several grants available for healthcare innovation and research available, as well as many online resources for healthcare professionals. To see their funding opportunities, visit http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/grantix.htm

Of particular interest may be the support for conferences for healthcare professionals, training providers, and for pipeline development: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-231.html

AHRQ has also recently announced they will hold a conference call on January 13, 2010 for those interested in learning more about the forthcoming Health IT grants.

Stimulus funding resource websites

Here are a few online resources for tracking stimulus funding and grants:

--> The Pew Foundation's Stateline.org site: http://www.stateline.org/live/static/Recession_And_Recovery_Links

--> The official National Recovery website: http://www.recovery.gov

--> The National Governor's Association: Stimulus Resource site

--> The National Association of Workforce Boards: ARRA Resource page

--> The National Association of State Workforce Agencies: ARRA News

Interesting video on fundraising

The Chronicle of Philanthropy showcases inventive ways nonprofit organizations are using social media to raise money in this new video:
http://philanthropy.com/media/flash/v22/i04/media_tools/

New unemployment & jobs forecasts

The Wall Street Journal recently released a new economic forecasting survey, including information on unemployment and job growth...

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-flash08.html?project=EFORECAST07

GOOD & Pepsi Launch $20 million grant initiative

GOOD is an online collaboration of nonprofits, business leaders, and community activists that encourages growth and nonprofit causes. http://www.good.is/

From the press release:
"In 2010, Pepsi will be granting millions of dollars every month to support the kinds of ideas we at GOOD have been keeping tabs on since our inception. From revamping a local community center to national solutions to pressing problems, the submissions will run the gamut. What they all have in common is an intention and potential to push the world forward, and change lives for the better. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 will be issued to groups, individuals, businesses and institutions that are voted on democratically and later vetted by us and our friends at GlobalGiving."

FULL STORY: http://www.cshapiro.com/good-pepsi-20m-grant-giving-initiative-in-201

Health Training Grant for institutes of higher education

Recovery Act: Community College Consortia to Educate Health Information Technology Professionals

Eligible applicants may be institutions of higher education. Any university that applies must also be engaged in providing training in Health Information Technology. The lead awardee will also need to provide a list of the Community Colleges in the consortia that will receive funding through the project as sub-awardees.

Total funds available: $70 million

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50407

News: $600 million for job creation at community health centers

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he will allocate nearly $600 million from the $787 billion economic stimulus plan to help create jobs at 85 community health centers.
FULL STORY: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN099593520091209

PA: $30 Million Green Energy Revolving Loan Fund

"Pennsylvania Creates Green Energy Revolving Loan Fund to Finance Energy Efficient Projects and Long-Term Job Creation"
DEP Accepting Applications for a Fund Manager to Administer $30 Million Program

Harrisburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced the commonwealth will use up to $12 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to create a new revolving loan fund to support energy-saving projects and develop clean, renewable energy resources that put Pennsylvanians to work. Because applicants must provide matching funds, the initiative will attract about $18 million in private investments.

FULL STORY: http://www.ahs2.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=5761