Philip A. Palmesano headshot

Assemblymember

Philip A. Palmesano

Assembly District 132

Palmesano May ‘Grant Action News’ Update

May 6, 2025

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) is sending his “May 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 NYS Grants Reform 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=113833

State Grants:

NYS Dept. of Health (DOH), Expanding Harm Reduction Services for Priority Populations Who Use Drugs This funding is directed toward people who use drugs within two distinct priority populations (adolescents (12-17), young adults (18-24) and veterans) who are especially vulnerable to overdose and who have been historically marginalized and stigmatized by systems of care.

NYS Dept. of Health, Translational Projects in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Funding This funding will help support SCI research and accelerate the pace with which basic (preclinical) findings are translated into clinical benefits for spinal cord-injured persons. In addition, the Spinal Cord Injury Research Board (SCIRB) wants to fill fundamental gaps in knowledge that are barriers to scientific advances in SCI research. This funding offers researchers the opportunity to advance well-proven hypotheses and early translational research findings into mid/late-stage translational and/or pre-clinical research that has a clear and feasible translational path to clinical application. The funding also offers the opportunity to validate and optimize or iteratively refine devices, tools and technologies to treat or cure SCI paralysis in ways that significantly improve current capabilities.NYS Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS), Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Funding This funding will help serve high-school-aged youth (ages 13-21) during afternoon and evening hours, weekends and/or school breaks, including the summer. A key principle of the BOOST initiative is strong partnerships with the schools’ participants and their communities.NYS Agriculture & Markets, Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grants These grants must be used to increase farmers’ markets’ resiliency. For this grant program, farmers’ market resiliency is defined as: a commitment to long-term market viability, sustainability and accessibility; and the ability to recover from or adapt to changes and adversity in the farmers’ market environment and/or the local community. Examples of projects supported by this program include the development and enhancement of farmers’ market infrastructure, online infrastructure, marketing and outreach efforts and/or delivery capabilities across the state.NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), Home-Based Crisis Intervention (HBCI) Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities Funding The HBCI teams will serve children/youth ages five years to 20 years, 11 months who are returning home from inpatient settings or residential services and are at risk for a rapid readmission or are at imminent risk of entering such settings. HBCI ensures the child and their family have the level of support services and access to clinical professionals they require to sustain any gains made in crisis response or high-end services. HBCI teams deliver intensive crisis intervention to children and families to help maintain the child/youth in the home, school and community.NYS Office of Addiction Services & Supports (OASAS), Methadone Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment Access This funding will help ensure opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, specifically methadone treatment for OUD, is available throughout New York state via innovative and creative models of service delivery while adhering to all federal and state regulations.NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), Youth Safe Spaces Program Funding This funding is for up to four pilot Youth Safe Space Programs targeting individuals ages 12-24. This program will create standalone safe spaces and designate other community spaces, such as libraries, OASAS Youth Recovery Clubhouses, Boys and Girls Clubs, park & recreation centers, etc. as safe spaces through an application and funding process. The Youth Safe Spaces Program framework embodies a multifaceted approach to youth mental health, prioritizing voluntary, youth-led and non-clinical programming.

Federal Grants:

US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Drug Development Tools Research Grants These grants support research to continue the development of drug development tools that have an accepted or a reviewable letter of intent (LOI) within a drug development tool qualification program within either the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) or the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).
  • Eligible Applicants: Public and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits, non-higher education institutions without 501(c)(3); small businesses; county governments; state governments; public and state institutions of higher education; special district governments; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; city or township governments; other; independent school districts; other Native American tribal organizations; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3); federally recognized Native American tribal governments
  • Deadline: May 13, 2025
  • Expected Number of Awards: 6
  • Award Ceiling: $500,000
  • Award Floor: $500,000
  • Contact: Terrin Brown
  • Contact Email: terrin.brown@fda.hhs.gov
  • Links to Additional Information:
National Science Foundation (NSF), Eddie Bernice Johnson Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) Funding This funding supports a comprehensive, national effort to enhance U.S. leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) discovery and innovation, focused on NSF’s commitment to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in STEM fields.
  • Eligible Applicants: For-profit organizations: U.S-based commercial organizations, including small businesses, with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and a passion for innovation; 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; state and local governments; 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 US 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 sub-awards 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; tribal nations: an American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or community that the secretary of the interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131
  • Deadline: May 13, 2025
  • Estimated Total Program Funding: $5.5 million
  • Expected Number of Awards: 15
  • Email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
  • Links to Additional Information:
National Science Foundation (NSF), Materials Innovation Platforms (MIP) Funding This funding is for MIP, a mid-scale infrastructure program in the Division of Materials Research (DMR) designed to accelerate advances in materials research.US Maritime Administration, Small Shipyards Grants These grants are for capital and related improvements to qualified shipyard facilities that will be effective in fostering efficiency, competitive operations and quality ship construction, repair and reconfiguration.US Dept. of Energy, Solar Module and Solar Hardware (SMASH) Incubator Funding This funding will encourage innovations in solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing across the supply chain, with the aim of reducing U.S. reliance on imported materials and technologies.National Science Foundation, Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnership Funding This funding will help support STCs focus on creating new scientific paradigms, establishing entirely new scientific disciplines and developing transformative technologies which have the potential for broad scientific or societal impact. STCs conduct world-class research through partnerships among institutions of higher education, national laboratories, industrial organizations, other public or private entities and via international collaborations.
  • Eligible Applicants: Preliminary proposals and invited full proposals may only be submitted by institutions of higher education that are located in the U.S., its territories or possessions, and have doctoral degree-granting research and education programs in any area of research supported by NSF; the lead institution is expected to develop partnerships or arrangements with other universities, colleges, or other scientific organizations, such as national laboratories, research museums, private sector research laboratories, state and local government laboratories and international organizations as appropriate to enable the center to attain its strategic goals
  • Deadline: June 2, 2025
  • Estimated Total Program Funding: $30 million
  • Award Ceiling: $6 million
  • Award Floor: $1.5 million
  • Email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
  • Links to Additional Information:
US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Funding This funding is available to U.S. entities for projects that seek to remove, resolve or mitigate existing or potential sanitary, phytosanitary or technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops.

Private Grants:

Spencer Foundation, Large Research Grants on Education This funding supports research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived.
  • Eligibility Requirements: Proposals to the Research Grants on Education program must be for academic research projects that aim to study education.
    • Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs applying for a Large Research Grant on Education must have an earned doctorate in an academic discipline or professional field. While graduate students may be part of the research team, they may not be named the PI or Co-PI on the proposal
    • The PI must be affiliated with a non-profit organization or public/governmental institution that is willing to serve as the administering organization if the grant is awarded. The Spencer Foundation does not award grants directly to individuals. Examples include non-profit or public colleges, universities, school districts and research facilities, as well as other non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3)\ determination from the IRS (or equivalent non-profit status if the organization is outside of the U.S.)
    • Proposals are accepted from the U.S. and internationally; however, all proposals must be submitted in English and budgets must be proposed in U.S. dollars
  • Intent to Apply Deadline: May 14, 2025, 12 p.m. CT
  • Estimated Award Amounts: Range $125,000 -$500,000
  • Contact: Maricelle Garcia
  • Contact Email: largegrants@spencer.org
  • Links to Additional Information:
Bob Woodruff Foundation Grants for Programs that Serve Military Families and the Veteran Community This funding supports programs that improve the health and well-being of service members, veterans, their families and caregivers, and that:
  • improve social determinants of health
  • decrease barriers to physical and mental health care
  • increase access to programming that fosters a healthy lifestyle
  • enhance opportunities for veterans to thrive after service
Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF), Grants to Provide Stability (GPS) These grants are for veterans who find themselves in a temporary financial setback. DVNF will provide up to $1,000 (not guaranteed) to help eligible veterans pay for rent or mortgage and essential utilities such as water or electricity.
  • Application Requirements:
    • a completed copy of DVNF’s GPS Application Form, along with all required accompanying forms included in the application
    • the applying veteran’s Form DD-214 Record of Military Service, which must contain the character of the veteran’s discharge, and the document must be certified by the state or if unable to obtain stamp under extenuating circumstances beyond the veteran’s control, as approved by DVNF on a case-by-case basis, evidence of veteran status as verified through the VA or VSO. If the DD-214 is not available, the veteran may provide a copy of state-issued veteran ID, a Veteran Status Verification Form or Veteran Status on state-state-issued driver’s license
    • a cover letter containing an overview of the problem, rationale for the need, plan to continue services after support is rendered and amount of request
    • a copy of the bill(s) for payment, issued within the past 30 days and includes a payment address
    • a completed budget sheet that details how the veteran’s money is spent monthly and how budget issues will be addressed in future months
  • Eligible Expenses:
    • rent
    • mortgage (including property taxes)
    • electricity
    • water
    • home heating fuels (gas, propane, oil)
    • waste
    • car payments (when employment-related)
    • internet (when employment-related)
  • Deadline: Monthly
  • Award Amount: $1,000
  • Contact Email: info@dvnf.org
  • Links to Additional Information:

Scholar Awards:

Family Fellowship College Scholarships, Advancing Foster Youth into Higher Education These grants offer recipients up to $60,000 in academic funding to address the financial challenges foster youth face when pursuing a four-year college degree. Beyond the financial support, this scholarship adopts a holistic approach, supporting the personal, emotional and social well-being of our scholars. This experience is enriched by connecting our scholars with their peers and creating a family-like environment where youth feel loved, valued and supported.
  • Eligible Applicants Must:
    • be 17 to 24 years old
    • hold U.S. citizenship
    • be accepted into an accredited public or nonprofit college in pursuit of an undergraduate bachelor’s degree with the intent to enroll on a full-time basis
    • have completed high school or obtained a GED
    • have experienced foster care under these circumstances:
      • lived in public or private foster care for twelve consecutive months leading up to and including the applicant’s eighteenth birthday
      • was adopted or placed into legal guardianship from foster care after the applicant’s thirteenth birthday
      • was orphaned for at least one year at the time of the applicant’s eighteenth birthday
  • Documents Needed to Apply:
    • provide proof of foster care - dependency letter from the child welfare agency or court documents detailing your foster care placement
    • college acceptance letter(s) - current class schedule, transcript or proof of enrollment letter
    • high school or college transcript, whichever is most recent - high school or college transcript, whichever is most recent
    • professional headshot photograph - a photograph to best represent you
    • personal statement essay - instructions for your personal statement essay will be emailed to you upon completing your online application
    • two letters of recommendation - letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, counselors, supervisors, social workers and other professionals are welcomed.
  • Deadline: May 9, 2025, 12 p.m. PT
  • Award Amounts: Up to $12,000 a year, for up to five years
  • Contact Link: https://academics.fosterlove.com/contact-us/
  • Links to Additional Information:
Trotter Project College Scholarships for Students Studying in Foodservice and Hospitality These scholarships are available to individuals pursuing undergraduate degrees in culinary arts, hospitality management and food science agriculture.
  • Eligible Applicants Must:
    • have a 2.5 or higher GPA (unweighted)
    • be a high school senior, incoming or current college student to qualify for scholarship
    • complete full online application
    • be attending an accredited college/university in the U.S.
    • Must submit the following documents:
      • resume highlighting community service, jobs, internships
      • transcript displaying cumulative GPA weighted/ unweighted
      • letter of recommendation from someone who can discuss applicant’s academic achievements and/or character
      • CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENTS ONLY – must submit documentation from college/university demonstrating a remaining balance/financial need
      • VIDEO expressing how you pursue excellence, your interest in culinary arts/baking pastry, hospitality management or food science agriculture. This is your opportunity to express individuality/creativity, passion, commitment and any other positive qualities you want us to know about. Videos should not exceed three minutes
  • Deadline: May 15, 2025, 11:59 CT
  • Award Amounts: Up to $10,000
  • Contact Email: info@trotterproject.org
  • Links to Additional Information:
Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network, Stellar Science Foundation, Global Scholars Program This program is up to two-year international postdoctoral fellowship program between the U.S. and Japan designed to advance excellence in bioengineering and biomedical research by supporting early-career researchers to advance their careers and conduct groundbreaking science in U.S. and Japanese research labs. There are two types of fellowships: Global Science Scholars in residence in Japan: The postdoctoral fellowship is open to early-career applicants who have recently earned their doctoral degree and wish to conduct research activities at a Japanese research institution with selected research leaders. Candidates must have received their doctoral degree on or after July 1, 2021. For placement in Japan, the applicant must have received their undergraduate or doctoral degree from a U.S. degree-granting institution, and eligibility for a Japanese visa is required. Funding for the Global Science Scholars in residence in Japan extends only until March 2027, thus, the duration of support is up to two years, depending on start date Global Science Scholars in residence in the U.S.: The postdoctoral fellowship is open to early-career applicants who have recently earned their doctoral degree and wish to conduct research activities at a CZ Biohub Network partner university (in San Francisco, Chicago or New York areas) with selected research leaders. Candidates must have received their doctoral degree on or after July 1, 2021. For placement in the U.S., the applicant must have received their undergraduate or doctoral degree from a Japanese degree-granting institution, and eligibility for a U.S. visa is required. Funding for the Global Science Scholars in residence in the CZ Biohub Network is available for a two-year fellowship
  • Eligible Applicants Must:
    • have a doctoral degree conferred by July 1, 2025
    • be eligible to start their fellowship position (including providing proof of doctoral degree conferral) by July 1, 2025. Candidates may apply while their doctoral degree is in progress. If selected, and a candidate’s start is delayed due to visa processing, their start date may be postponed accordingly beyond July 1, 2025
    • not have received their doctoral degree before July 1, 2021. CZI and SS-F will make exceptions to these criteria in cases of institutionally approved career breaks, e.g., family or medical leave, etc. (if this applies to you, please contact sciencegrants@chanzuckerberg.com)
    • must be available to participate in program activities. Applicants must have a level of English proficiency sufficient to conduct research and communicate effectively in English
    • hold an undergraduate or doctoral degree from a Japanese degree-granting institution. For placement in Japan, the applicant must have received their undergraduate or doctoral degree from a U.S. degree-granting institution
    • be eligible to receive a U.S. visa. For placement in Japan, the applicant must be eligible to receive a Japanese visa. In the U.S., successful candidates will be hired by the relevant partner university within the U.S., and the international visitor/postdoc office of the partner university will assist each successful applicant with the visa process. In Japan, SS-F and program partners will provide the program funds and visa assistance to successful candidates
  • Deadline: May 27, 2025, 3 p.m. PT
  • Funding & Duration: Funding is for up to two years for the fellowship in residence in Japan and for two years for the fellowship in residence in the U.S. Each Global Science Scholar fellowship includes:
    • stipend:
      • each postdoctoral fellowship in the U.S. is supported by a stipend of $75,000 USD per year and up to $5,000 USD per year for reimbursable expenses (up to $10,000 in total over the course of two years) to offset the cost of relocation for the first and final year of the fellowship
      • each postdoctoral fellowship in Japan is supported by a stipend of 9,600,000 JPY per year and up to 749,000 JPY per year for reimbursable expenses (up to 1,498,000 JPY in total over the course of two years) to offset the cost of relocation for the first and final year of the fellowship. Please note that funding for the fellowship in residence Japan program is available until March 2027, so the fellowship may be less than two years in duration, depending on start date
      • institutional benefits (may vary by institution)
      • travel funds to participate in a required scientific convening associated with the fellowship program (approximately $4,000 USD or 600,000 JPY) per year
  • Contact Email: sciencegrants@chanzuckerberg.com
  • Links to Additional Information:
H.H. Harris Foundation, Scholarships for Students in the Metallurgical & Casting of Metals Field These scholarships and other forms of educational aid are dedicated to students and professionals in the metallurgical and casting of metals field who are U.S. citizens.Last Mile Education Fund, Scholarships for Financially Vulnerable College Students Pursuing Tech-Related Careers This funding closes critical gaps in financial and career support for financially vulnerable college students in the “last mile” to graduation in high-demand STEM fields, addressing both economic mobility and the talent crisis in tech and tech-enabled industries.
  • Eligible Applicants Must:
    • demonstrate evidence of financial need
    • experience a financial obstacle to continued progress toward the completion of a computing degree
    • be pursuing a computing-related degree or certification in the U.S.: eligible degrees are detailed in specific funds’ webpages
    • be nearing degree completion
    • be enrolled in a U.S.-based institution of higher education
    • have a U.S.-based email and mailing address (required for payment distribution)
    • complete a W8 or W9 form and provide a Social Security Number or an ITIN
    • provide a valid LinkedIn profile with a photo
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Three Award Levels for U.S. Students:
    • Emergency Fund - rapid-response funding to help students overcome short-term obstacles to their academic progress. Awards are up to $595
    • Bridge Fund - awards $600 to $4,500 to help juniors and seniors in an undergraduate program or first and second-year students in a master’s program bridge potentially catastrophic financial hurdles such as car repair, medical expense, loss of employment and required devices or equipment for your major. Bridge grants can also cover up-front costs to access critical career-building opportunities like attending tech conferences, travel and housing to participate in an internship or undergraduate computing research opportunities
    • Last Mile Fund - awards of up to $10,000 to cover tuition and expenses for the final credits to degree completion. Last Mile awards are only available to students in the final two semesters of their undergraduate program at an accredited institution currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program
  • Two Award Levels for F-1 Visa Students:
    • Emergency Mini Fund - rapid-response funding to help students overcome short-term obstacles to their academic progress. Awards are up to $595
    • Bridge Fund - awards $600 to $3,000 to help juniors and seniors in an undergraduate program or first and second-year students in a master’s program bridge potentially catastrophic financial hurdles. Due to tax treaty challenges, we are only able to fund qualified educational expenses, paid directly to institutions or third-party vendors for a device like a laptop or desktop computer. Eligible expenses that are paid directly to institutions can include but are not limited to: tuition, health plans, parking decals and meal plans
  • Contact Email: info@lastmile-ed.org
  • Links to Additional Information: