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Funding Opportunities for
Municipalities
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- Recent Awards
- UConn Brownfields Technical Assistance (TAB) Webinars
- CRCOG/CMSC TOD Summit
- Requests for Your Input
- FHWA Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT)
- CT DOT Section 5310 Program
- U.S. DOT Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program
- CT DOT Active Transportation Microgrant Program
- U.S. DOT Financing Programs - TIFIA, RRIF
- U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Opportunities
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Opportunities
- Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Opportunities
- CT DEEP Climate Resilience Fund
- CT DEEP Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership Program
- CT DEEP ConneCTed Communities Program
- DOE Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2
- DOE Energy Improvements in Rural Areas
- USDOI WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects
- New England Environmental Justice Grants
- CRDECD Brownfield Municipal Grant Program
- CTDEEP Climate Resilience Fund
- CTDECD Community Investment Fund (CIF)
- USDOJ Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program
- USDOJ Improving Adult and Youth Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Program
- HUD Discretionary Funding Opportunities
- Connecticut Children's Healthy Homes Program
- Discretionary Grants Awarded in CRCOG
- Tools & Resources
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CRCOG is currently tracking updates related to the implementation of federal funding programs. While uncertainty remains in how Federal agencies will implement directives of the new administration, CRCOG is committed to providing Member Municipalities with non-partisan guidance. Policy Board Members, please be on the lookout for communications from CRCOG's Executive Director, Matt Hart, as we track the rollout of new directives.
CRCOG staff are here to help. We provide technical assistance for your grant applications and look forward to working with you to build a better region. If you have questions or would like to discuss priority projects in your community, and how to fund them, please contact Elizabeth Sanderson.
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CTDOT’s application for the “City Link – Reconnecting North Hartford” Community Planning Grant from US DOT’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program has been selected to receive a $2M award.
The City Link – Reconnecting North Hartford planning study will complete collaborative visioning, use analysis and preliminary engineering for the realignment, lowering and capping of Interstate 84 and the Hartford Line rail corridor in the City of Hartford, CT. Surrounding neighborhoods have long experienced historic disinvestment and are home to disadvantaged communities that have borne the brunt of the negative effects associated with the construction of the original highway in the mid-20th century.
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CTDOT was also awarded $11.6M from US DOT’s Restoration & Enhancement (R&E) Grant Program for the CTrail Hartford Line.
Funding will be used to enhance service from New Haven, CT to Springfield, MA, improving intercity passenger operations.
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CRCOG and CT Main Street Center's Summit: 10 Years of TOD & The Road Ahead
Date: March 20, 2025, 8 am - 1 pm
Location: The Hall at Parkville Market, 1400 Park St., Hartford, CT
Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) and Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) have partnered to bring you a summit about transit-oriented development (TOD): 10 years of TOD & the Road Ahead.
Visit the event webpage for more information and to register.
View the event flyer: TOD Summit Overview
Representatives from CRCOG Member Municipalities are eligible for a reduced rate.
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CT DOT's Active Transportation Plan
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is seeking input for their recently launched Active Transportation Plan. The Plan will guide future improvements on state routes for a functional, equitable, and safety-focused active transportation network and supportive programs and policies. The survey will measure preferences towards active transportation. Learn more.
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CT DEEP's Broadband Infrastructure Improvements for Multi-Dwelling Units
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (CTDEEP’s) Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy (BETP) is seeking input from representatives of distressed municipalities and multi-dwelling units (MDUs) to promote equitable broadband infrastructure and service across Connecticut for the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program. Complete the Multi-Dwelling Unit Survey to identify MDUs within distressed municipalities that could benefit from broadband infrastructure improvements. More information about this grant program is provided below.
For this program, the following CRCOG Member Municipalities are identified as "distressed":
- East Hartford
- Hartford
- Mansfield
- New Britain
- Enfield
The survey is also included on DEEP's ConneCTed Communities webpage along with this map of underserved locations in CT that are eligible for funding under this program.
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State Data Plan
The Data and Policy Analytics (DAPA) unit of the State Office of Policy & Management (OPM) is updating the State Data Plan for 2025-2026, and requests feedback.
Municipal employees, contractors, and other stakeholders who use the State's data are encouraged to participate in this survey. This is a great opportunity to help identify barriers and share your concerns and pain points in accessing and using the data.
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Transportation-Related Funding Opportunities | | |
U.S. DOT FHWA PROTECT
Application Deadline: February 24, 2025
The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program.
PROTECT makes $876M available to make transportation infrastructure and service more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events. There are four funding categories:
- Planning
- Resilience Improvement
- Community Resilience and Evacuation Route
- At-Risk Coastal Infrastructure
CRCOG, in partnership with three other CT COGs, was awarded $1.2M in the first year of PROTECT to complete a Regional Resilience Improvement Plan. Applications are now being accepted online for FY2024 & 2025 funds. Applications will be accepted for FY2026 from October 27, 2025 - February 24, 2026.
Apply through Grants.gov.
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CT DOT Section 5310 Grant
Application Deadline: April 1, 2025
Section 5310 is a federal grant program intended to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation service and expanding transportation mobility options. Awards require a 20% municipal match.
Application materials can be found online at the state’s contracting portal CTsource Bid Board (search for solicitation "27148"). Program information and application instructions can also be found on CTDOT’s Section 5310 program website.
Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted as one (1) PDF file via email to both DOT.Section5310@ct.gov and dnoll@crcog.org. CTDOT and CRCOG will not review late applications.
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U.S. DOT Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program
Application Deadline: May 7, 2025
A total of $27 million is available to award for planning and design phase activities for developing transportation projects in rural or tribal communities. Grants will support hiring staff or expert firms to provide technical, legal, or financial assistance to advance transportation projects that would be reasonably expected to be eligible for select Department of Transportation discretionary grant or credit programs. There is no local match required to participate in this.
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CT DOT Active Transportation Microgrant Program
Application Deadline: Rolling Basis
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has created a new Active Transportation Microgrant Program to work in conjunction with the Safe Routes to School Program. The purpose of the program is to provide eligible applicants with up to $5,000 for non-infrastructure resources that advance safe, accessible, sustainable, and equitable walking, biking, and rolling.
Eligible applicants include schools, school districts, municipalities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Eligible items include bicycle helmets; bicycle locks; bicycle fleets; safety vests; bicycle maintenance training and materials; League Cycling instructors training; and programs, events, and materials for bicycle and pedestrian safety education.
$500,000 was available in 2024 with more anticipated to be available in 2025. The program will be administered and distributed by COGs until utilized. Applicants may apply for up to two grants per 12-month period. View the Program Guidelines.
Apply online using this Application Form and send to Mike Cipriano, CRCOG's Representative, once complete. Since this is a rolling application process with limited funds available, applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
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U.S. DOT Financing Programs - TIFIA, RRIF
In addition to the numerous discretionary and formula funding programs, U.S. DOT offers flexible loan programs like TIFIA and RRIF to finance large transportation projects. Funding for Transit-oriented Development (TOD) projects is now also available for eligible areas. The TOD Eligibility Map for TIFIA and RRIF identifies the following CRCOG municipalities as eligible: Berlin, Rocky Hill, Glastonbury, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, and Enfield.
Important to note: the map does not identify all potentially eligible TOD areas in our region. Just because your municipality is not listed above or highlighted on the map does not mean you cannot pursue this loan program.
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Environment and Energy-Related Funding Opportunities
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USDA Grants
Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP)
Closes: March 10, 2025
Award Floor/Ceiling: $100,000/$250,000
Total funding: $2.5M
Funding for the development of urban agriculture and innovative production. Planning activities will initiate, develop, or support the efforts of stakeholders in areas where access to fresh foods is limited or unavailable.
Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2024 (FY25) Northeast-Midwest
Closes: February 28, 2025
Award Ceiling: $10M
Total Funding: $200M
Wildfire risk mitigation.
Community Connect Grant Program
Closes: April 21, 2025
Award Floor/Ceiling: $100,000/$5M
Total Funding: $26M
Providing service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed (100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up) to all premises in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service (10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up) does not exist.
High Energy Cost Grants
Closes: February 28, 2025
Award Floor/Ceiling: $100,000-$3M
Grants are available to acquire, construct, or improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving communities where the average annual residential expenditure for home energy exceeds 275% of the national average.
Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry
2025 Challenge Cost Share Grant
Closes: February 27, 2025
Award Ceiling: $1M
Provides funding and technical assistance to restore, sustain, and manage more than 140 million acres of urban and community forest lands for the benefit of communities in the United States.
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FEMA Grants
Flood Mitigation Assistance
Application Deadline: April 18, 2025
$600M of funding is available to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and within NFIP-participating communities. It aims to address the growing flood hazards associated with climate change, and of the need for flood hazard risk mitigation activities that promote climate adaptation, equity, and resilience with respect to flooding.
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Application Deadline: April 18, 2025
$750M is available for natural hazard risk mitigation activities that promote climate adaptation and resilience. The BRIC program’s guiding principles include supporting communities through capability and capacity-building; encouraging and enabling innovation, including multi-hazard resilience or nature-based solutions including the use of native plants; promoting partnerships; enabling large, systems-based projects; maintaining flexibility; and providing consistency.
The award ceiling is $150M.
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CT DEEP
Climate Resilience Fund
Coming Soon
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) is preparing for a second, expanded round of its Climate Resilience Fund Program (DCRF). DCRF seeks to make Connecticut more resilient to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather through the following potential solutions:
- stormwater parks,
- resilience hubs that serve as cooling and warming centers,
- microgrids and clean backup power and storage, and
- establishing stormwater authorities.
Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership Program
Application Deadlines: April 1, 2025, for June submission, or September 1, 2025, for November submission
CTDEEP is seeking proposals for land acquisitions or improvements that will provide or significantly improve recreational opportunities in underserved communities. If your project is chosen for submission, DEEP will provide constructive feedback and allow time for applications to be improved prior to submission to the NPS, increasing the chances of being selected for funding. Funding is available for up to a 50% match.
Awards will range from $300,000 to $15M.
ConneCTed Communities Program
Application Deadline: Rolling
Round two of the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program has $10M available for the construction and deployment of broadband infrastructure designed to support the goal of universal access.
DEEP is seeking applications for grant funding to facilitate low-income and multi-family curb-to-home and business broadband infrastructure buildout in underserved areas. All projects funded through this program must reach substantial completion before December 31, 2026. Learn more.
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U.S. DOE
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is accepting applications for two grant programs.
Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2 (SolWEB2)
Application Deadline: May 2, 2025
$11M of funding is available for Large Scale Solar (LSS) projects that will:
- Test strategies that mitigate adverse impacts and/or maximize benefits to wildlife and ecosystems
- provide technical assistance and stakeholder engagement opportunities to facilitate strategies that improve the compatibility of LSS facilities with wildlife, or
- provide technical assistance and conduct outreach to facilitate the adoption of agrivoltaics
Award amounts range from $1M to $3M.
Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA)
Pre-Application Concept Paper (mandatory): February 27, 2025
Application Deadline: August 28, 2025
The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) is offering grants of $2M or more to communities of 10,000 people or fewer. The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program seeks to improve energy infrastructure in rural areas through grid upgrades and implementation of renewable generation. The award has a ceiling of $50M.
Learn more through the Program Webpage and read about past awardees.
Obtain the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and apply through the OCED Funding Opportunity Exchange.
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Environmental Justice for New England
Application Deadline: Rolling
Environmental Justice for New England will distribute $48 million of grant funds to be fully expended by the spring of 2027. The funds will be distributed through three tiers and the Seed Fund to support capacity-constrained organizations. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with quarterly reviews, until all the funding is awarded.
Awards are available up to $75,000. Learn more online.
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USDOI WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects
Application Deadline: April 15, 2025
Management and $95M of funding support is available to design and construct aquatic ecosystem restoration projects. Restoring and connecting aquatic ecosystems provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife, improve water quality, store excess carbon, help mitigate the impacts of drought and flood events, and support water supply resiliency for multiple uses.
Awards range from $500,000 to $10M. Learn more through grants.gov.
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Brownfields Redevelopment
Application Deadline: March 7, 2025
The State Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Brownfield Remediation and Development Program is accepting applications for the Brownfield Municipal Grant Program! Assessing, remediating and/or abating pollution are necessary steps to redeveloping brownfields. These investments will catalyze redevelopment of these vacant or underutilized properties, helping bring them back in to productive reuse.
In Connecticut, a brownfield is defined as “any abandoned or underutilized site where redevelopment, reuse or expansion has not occurred due to the presence or potential presence of pollution in the buildings, soil or groundwater that requires investigation or remediation before or in conjunction with the redevelopment, reuse or expansion of the property.” Such properties are common in Connecticut, due to our long-history and industrious roots.
Brownfields are common contributors to blight, and it is important to take action to assess environmental conditions, identify pollutants, and establish a plan to remediate them so that these opportunity properties can return to productive re-use. Federal, State, and local programs exist to incentivize redevelopment.
DECD's Brownfield Municipal Grant Program is a competitive program for municipalities and municipal entities, designed to assist with brownfield redevelopment projects in their communities that will make a significant economic impact.
Learn more about each grant type and how to apply:
Remediation Grant NOFA
Assessment Only Grant NOFA
Targeted Brownfield Development Loan Program
Brownfield Area-wide Revitalization (BAR) Program
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USDOJ Funding Opportunities | | |
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Application deadline: March 4, 2025
The U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) has made $13M of funding available for comprehensive approaches to addressing abuse in later life, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, neglect, abandonment, economic abuse, or willful harm committed against victims who are 50 years of age or older.
Awards range from $450,000 to $750,000. Learn more through grants.gov.
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Application deadline: February 24, 2025
The U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) has $825,000 of funding available to support cross-system collaboration between criminal and juvenile justice, mental health and substance use, behavioral health, and reentry organizations is available. The goal is to improve clinical stabilization pretrial, during confinement, and support continuity of care and recovery during the transition to the community. In addition, it seeks to reduce crisis experiences and improve recovery outcomes for people with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders.
Learn more and apply online through grants.gov.
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Housing and Community Development-Related Funding Opportunities | | |
HUD Discretionary Funding Opportunities
Application deadlines vary by program.
HUD has over 20 discretionary grant programs available that support agency initiatives such as Affordable Housing Development and Preservation, Community and Economic Development, Environment and Energy, Fair Housing, Homelessness, Homeownership, Rental Assistance, Supportive Housing and Services:
FY2023 and FY2024 Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships
Deadline: June 30, 2025
More information is available on Grants.gov or HUD's Grant Information webpage.
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Connecticut Children's Healthy Homes Program
Applications accepted on a rolling-basis.
The Connecticut Children's Healthy Homes Program, developed with support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Connecticut Department of Housing, offers grants to improve the well-being of children. Funds can be used to address the toxins and hazards often found in older or poorly maintained homes. This program is eligible to homeowners and tenants of all income levels. Learn more and apply.
You may also be interested in HUD's Healthy Homes Program and other efforts in the State of Connecticut to address lead poisoning, like the CT Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
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Discretionary Grants Awarded to the CRCOG Region
Learn more about discretionary grant awards coming to our region. CRCOG's GIS Team has developed an Interactive Online Map of Federal Discretionary Grant Awards. This map is updated quarterly with available information about awards in our region.
As of October 1, 2024, over $62M has been awarded to CRCOG and its Member Municipalities. Additional funding has been awarded to non-municipal entities.
More information about these grant awards is available on the map.
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- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) offers many funding opportunities each year. Explore CTDEEP's grants portal, signup to receive municipal updates from DEEP, and subscribe here to receive the Municipal Connection and other DEEP newsletters and updates.
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Visit CRCOG's BIL Webpage for more information about many of the grants and funding opportunities featured in this newsletter.
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