State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: April 22 Update

Rep. Frank Burns April 22, 2025

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PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS:

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS

Department of Environmental Protection: Watershed Planning and Restoration Grant

Who May Apply: Incorporated watershed associations, counties or municipalities, county conservation districts, council of governments or other authorized organizations including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and municipal authorities.

Use: Examples of eligible projects include existing WIP revision or updates and design and construction of BMPs, including riparian forest buffers, streambank fencing, agricultural erosion and sediment control and nutrient and manure management practices; animal waste storage systems, animal concentration area/animal heavy use area protection and barnyard runoff controls; design and construction of stormwater control measures; AMD treatment systems and other projects that will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired.
Funds: Funds are provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and authorized through Section 319(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act

Application Deadline: June 20, 2025

More information: DEP Website

Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener Plus Grant

Who May Apply: Counties

Use: To update a county’s Act 167 plan.
Funds: Funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 state budget and grants will range from $40,000 to $60,000 depending on the county’s population.

Application Deadline: June 20, 2025

More information: DEP Website

PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS:

Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES

Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations.

Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania.
Funds: $400 million in funding is available.

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis

More information: DCED Website

Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant

Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce investment boards, economic development organizations, and non-profit organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible.

Use: Projects must focus on the development and deployment of workforce training programs for individuals with barriers to employment, engage youth or those with barriers in awareness building activities of manufacturing career opportunities, and advance capacity for local or regional manufacturers to meet the needs of local and regional manufacturers that cannot be met through existing programs such as WEDnet and Industry Partnerships.
Funds: Funds are available on an annual basis and vary based on recommendations and constraints set in the annual budget.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted and evaluated on an ongoing basis as long as funds remain available.

More information: DCED Website

Department of Environmental Protection: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program

Who May Apply: Pennsylvania residents whose total household income is below 400 percent of the Federal Income Poverty Level.

Use: This program provides a rebate to Pennsylvanians who purchase or lease alternative fuel vehicles.
Funds: Rebates vary depending on type of vehicle purchased.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted and evaluated on a first come, first served basis as long as funds remain available. Please note applications must be received within six months of the date of the vehicle purchase.

More information: DEP Website

Department of Environmental Protection: WIIN 2107: Voluntary School and Childcare Lead testing and Reduction Grant

Who May Apply: Childcare facilities and schools located in Pennsylvania with lead in drinking water sample results within 36 months of the application date showing water fixtures exceeding the remediation trigger level of 5 ppb (parts per billion).

Use: Reduction activities may include purchasing and installing hydration stations, point-of-use devices designed to remove lead or replacement of faucets. The primary goal of this grant program is to reduce children's exposure to lead in drinking water.
Funds: Funding under this grant has been appropriated under 1464(d) of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Funding provided will be up to $3,000 per hydration station per 100 students in one building. Up to $30,000 may be awarded per building/childcare facility or $100,000 per school district.

Application Deadline: Applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss their lead reduction plans to ensure they meet applicable program criteria. Meetings can be scheduled by emailing RA-EPWIINLEAD@pa.gov.

More information: DEP Website

Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) Technical Assistance Initiative

Who May Apply: Non-profit orgnaizations

Use: To continue support of CJABs through the CJAB Specialists who serve as a resource to counties in assisting with CJAB projects.
Funds: A combination of federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant and state funds is being announced to support this initiative for the first year of the project. One award will be made.

Application Deadline: April 23, 2025

More information: PCCD Website

Department of Environmental Protection: Abandoned Mine Land and Abandoned Mine Draining Grant Program

Who May Apply: An authority, incorporated nonprofit, political subdivision, or conservation district.

Use: Funds may be used for abandoned mine land reclamation and abandoned mine drainage treatment or abatement.
Funds: $75 million in funding is available.

Application Deadline: April 25, 2025. Applicants must contact DEP (ra-epamgrantprogram@pa.gov) prior to applying for an initial project consultation.

More information: DEP Website

Commonwealth Financing Authority: PA Small Water and Sewer Program

Who May Apply: Municipalities or a municipal authority

Use: Projects that involve the construction, improvement, expansion, repair, or rehabilitation of a water supply system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, or flood control projects that are owned and maintained by an eligible applicant.
Funds: Projects must have a total cost of not less than $30,000 and not more than $500,000. A total of $50 million was allocated in the fiscal year 2024/25 Fiscal Code.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

More information: CFA Website

Department of Transportation: Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements Grant Program (ARLE Program)

Who May Apply: Local governments, planning organizations, or Commonwealth agencies.

Use: Eligible uses include, but are not limited to, roadway safety, mobility, and capacity upgrades, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, local technical assistance program projects, and traffic signal improvements.
Funds: PennDOT anticipates $32 million available with the intent of funding worthwhile projects that can be completed at a relatively low cost.

Application Deadline: A pre-application scoping form is required to be submitted by April 30, 2025. Feedback will be provided by May 31, 2025. The application period will be open from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025.

More information: PennDOT Website

Department of Community and Economic Development: COVID-19 ARPA Digital Connectivity Technology Program

Who May Apply: Public-facing institutions, to include but not limited to, libraries, schools, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and other community anchor institutions located in areas where affordability has been identified as a barrier to broadband adoption and use.

Use: The acquisition of digital connectivity technology that facilitates broadband internet access and promotes digital literacy and skills training. These devices will be available to be loaned to individuals for use in their home, or for use in public spaces.
Funds: Funding is provided via the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The minimum grant amount for any grant is 20 devices. The maximum grant amount for any grant is 200 devices.

Application Deadline: May 30, 2025

More information: DCED Website

Commonwealth Financing Authority: Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program

Who May Apply: Municipalities, Councils of Governments, Authorized Organizations, Institutions of Higher Education, Watershed Organizations, for profit businesses.

Use: Planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects.
Funds: Grant requests shall not exceed $250,000.