These programs should clearly and consistently focus on promoting abstinence as the most effective way of preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. All adolescents under age 19 are eligible for services.
ELIGIBILITY: Any public or private non-profit organization or agency, including faith-based organizations.
FUNDING: Approximately $6.5 million for 35 projects.
DEADLINE: March 11, 2002.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To receive a full solicitation, contact the Grants Management Office, Office of Population Affairs, 4350 East-West Highway, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814; phone: (301) 594-4004; e-mail: opa@osophs.dhhs.gov or visit: http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov

 
Community Food Projects Competition Grants Program

U.S. Department of Agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) announces the availability of grant funds and requests applications for the Community Food Projects Competition Grants Program (CFPCGP).
Projects funded by the CFPCGP support the development of Community Food Projects with a one-time infusion of Federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining. Community Food Projects should be designed to: 1) meet the food needs of low-income people; 2) increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs; and 3) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues.
ELIGIBILITY: Private and non-profit entities meeting the following three requirements are eligible: 1) have experience in the area of (a) community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-size farms, including the provision of food to people in low-income communities for agricultural producers; or (b) job training and business development activities for food-related activities in low-income communities; 2) demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal accountability, collect data, and prepare reports and other necessary documentation; 3) demonstrate a willingness to share information with researchers, practitioners, and other interested parties.
FUNDING: Approximately $2.18 million.
DEADLINE: March 22, 2002.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Dr. Elizabeth Tuckermanty, Program Director, CSREES/CFPCGP, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Stop 2241, Washington, D.C. 20250-2241; phone: (202) 205-0241; fax: (202) 401-6488.

 
Cognition and Student Learning (CASL) Research Grant Program

U.S. Department of Education

The United States Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), Cognition and Student Learning (CASL) Research Grant Program is accepting applications to improve student learning by supporting a new program of research that brings recent advances in cognitive science and neuroscience to bear on significant educational problems. The goal of this program is to establish a scientific foundation for educational practice by supporting research on key processes of attention, memory, and reasoning that are essential for learning and that are likely to produce substantial gains in academic achievement.
ELIGIBILITY: Public and private agencies, institutions, and organizations, including for-profit and non-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; state and local educational agencies; and regional educational laboratories are eligible.
FUNDING: Up to $3,000,000 for the first year of this program. Estimated range: $75,000 to $500,000.
DEADLINE: April 15, 2002.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Valerie Reyna, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, Room 600, Washington D.C. 20208; phone: (202) 219-1385; e-mail: Valerie.Reyna@ed.gov
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) you may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

 
Technology Opportunities Program (TOP)

U.S. Department of Commerce

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is accepting applications for the Technology Opportunities Program.
The goal of TOP projects is to address specific challenges and realize opportunities for change in such areas as lifelong learning, community and economic development, government and public services, safety, health, culture, and the arts through innovative uses of digital and network technologies.
ELIGIBILITY: Non-profit entities and state, local, and tribal governments are eligible to apply. Although individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply, they are encouraged to participate as project partners.
FUNDING: An applicant may request up to a total of $750,000. TOP expects the federal amounts awarded to range from $200,000 to $750,000 with an average of approximately $500,000. The amount covers the project’s duration.
DEADLINE: March 21, 2002.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Stephen J. Downs, Director of the Technology Opportunities Program; phone: (202) 482-2048; fax: (202) 501-5136; e-mail: top@ntia.doc.gov

 
Forest Products Visions of the Future

U.S. Department of Energy

The American Forest and Paper Association in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, is seeking applications for cost-shared research and development of technologies, which will reduce energy consumption, enhance economic competitiveness, and reduce environmental impacts of the Forest Products Industry. The research is to address the research priorities in the higher value through sustainable forestry, gasification, fiber modification, and VOC and HAP emission technology areas.
ELIGIBILITY: For-profit, non-profit, state and local governments, Indian tribes, and institutions of higher education may submit applications. Multi-partner collaborations between industry, university, and National Laboratory participants are encouraged. Single organization awards will not be considered.
FUNDING: Approximately $2 million in the first year of selected research efforts. The Department of Energy expects to make three cooperative agreement awards each being $500,000 to $700,000 per year with a duration of three to five years.
DEADLINE: April 15, 2002.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Carol Van Lente, Contact Specialist, at vanlencl@id.doe.gov or visit http://www.oit.doe.gov/cfm/fullSolitication.cfm/id=123

Council on Opportunities for Professional Excellence, Inc. (C.O.P.E.)

Kingston, NY

The Council on Opportunities for Professional Excellence, Inc. is holding a grant training seminar on February 28, 2002. The seminar will be held at the Ramada Inn in Kingston, NY from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program costs $145.00 per person or $128.00 per attendee if two or more attend from the same organization – included in the fee is the Grantsmanship Manual.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To register, call (845) 756-COPE (2673).

The Grantsmanship Center

Buffalo and New York City

The Grantsmanship Center is offering grantwriting classes in Buffalo: March 18-22, hosted by the American Red Cross; and in New York City: April 8-12, hosted by Cicatelli Associates. The five-day program is kept to a maximum of 27 participants and costs $675 per person.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For Buffalo, call Michele Barnes at (716) 878-2373. For New York City, call Banghee Chi at (212) 594-7741. Or contact The Grantsmanship Center at (800) 421-9512.

Syracuse University

Syracuse University is offering an "Introduction to Grant Writing" class March 22, 2002 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The class is geared toward persons working in research, education, and community-based organizations. The cost is $159.
The university is also offering a six-session, online grant writing workshop February 25 – April 5, 2002. The cost is $189.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To register, contact Peg at (315) 443-3271.

Grants Action News by E-mail

If you are interested in receiving the Grants Action News by e-mail every month, write to signup@assembly.state.ny.us. Please include your name, e-mail address, and mailing address, including your agency or organization.
If you also are interested in receiving timely legislative updates from the Assembly Internet Information Service, indicate your area of interest (such as education, economic development, local government) in your note. Response time will depend on the volume of interest.