A message from Senator Mazie Hirono |
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| February 2026 Federal Grant Opportunities Aloha, I’m pleased to present the February 2026 Grants Newsletter, the latest monthly resource for governments, schools, non-profit organizations, and businesses interested in pursuing opportunities for discretionary federal grant and cooperative agreement funding. This newsletter includes grant opportunities published by www.grants.gov, the federal government’s central website for grant funding. To access my grants e-newsletter, click on February 2026 Federal Grant Opportunities title above. Readers should be aware that the Trump administration continues to cut federal spending, which will have longstanding negative repercussions on the federal landscape and available funding. This grants newsletter is meant to provide up to date information, as of the date this letter is distributed, on grant opportunities to assist grantees in continuing to do your good work for Hawaii. If your organization’s grant award was cancelled or paused, please inform my office by contacting hawaiioffice@hirono.senate.gov. Part 1 of this month’s newsletter contains current discretionary program listings and research opportunities. This month, most programs continue to have very short application periods.Part 2 is a compilation of general grant information provided by federal agencies that most often have discretionary grant solicitations. This new notice of special interest in Hawaii is specific to our libraries: Institute of Museum and Library Services – Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants (2026) will award five grants to assist Native Hawaiian serving organizations in sustaining and improving library services with their communities. As information needs change, Native Hawaiian organizations must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The NH program supports organizations across the islands and country to address their individual information needs and priorities. (Posted January 21, 2026 – April 10, 2026 deadline) Two previously posted notices of special interest in Hawai’i this month are: Department of Agriculture Value-Added Producer Grants in Hawaii and Western Pacific assists viable Agricultural Producers, Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in starting or expanding value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of Value-Added Agricultural Products. Grants will be awarded competitively for either planning or working capital projects directly related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of the program. All proposals must demonstrate economic viability and sustainability to compete for funding. This is an annual program. (Posting January 15, 2026 – April 15, 2026 deadline.) Institute for Museum and Library Services – Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2026) supports Native American Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians in sustaining heritage, culture, and knowledge. The program supports projects such as educational services and programs, workforce professional development, organizational capacity building, community engagement, and collections stewardship. (Posted January 13, 2025 – March 13, 2026 deadline) New and modified national competitions of special interest this month include: Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture – Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. (Posted January 20, 2026 – December 31, 2026 deadline) AmeriCorps – Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Competition announcement is an opportunity for communities to apply for funding to engage adults ages 55 and older in tackling the community’s most pressing needs through the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program. (Posted January 30, 2026 – March 26, 2026 deadline) AmeriCorps – Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 AmeriCorps State and National Competitive Grants awards grants to eligible organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is a person who does community service through AmeriCorps. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits. After successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans. (Posted January 30, 2026 – March 31, 2026 deadline) Environmental Protection Agency – Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings makes grants to states, federally recognized Tribes, public pre-schools, local educational agencies, and non-profit organizations for the assessment, prevention, control, or abatement of wildfire smoke hazards in community buildings and related activities. These grants are intended to support activities that will reduce indoor exposure to pollutants in wildfire smoke and, in turn, reduce the public health burden of wildfire smoke exposure. This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible entities to improve public health protection against smoke from wildfires by enhancing preparedness in community buildings. (Posted January 30, 2025 – April 15, 2026 deadline) Department of Health and Human Resources – Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Nursing Home Staffing Campaign is focused on helping to recruit registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses (LPNs) to work in nursing homes by offering financial incentives. Through this NOFO, CMS is accepting applications for cooperative agreements to entities that will administer financial incentives, such as loan repayment and stipends to RNs and LPNs, to work for three years in a qualifying nursing home or in an oversight role with a state agency. (Posted February 9, 2026 – March 27, 2026 deadline) Department of Housing and Urban Development – ROSS Rapid Response Program awards one-time assistance via a cost-reimbursable grant for service coordination and limited direct services for residents of HUD-assisted housing. The RRP utilizes a simplified application process to promote local leadership and flexibility in addressing urgent social needs caused by unanticipated emergencies. Examples of these emergencies can include but are not limited to: • Natural disasters (e.g., wildfires or hurricanes) • Public health crises (e.g., gun violence, community-level contamination or environmental hazards) • Economic disruptions (e.g., closure of a major employment center that employs residents at the target site) (Posted January 26, 2026 – January 25, 2027 deadline) Department of Interior – Interior Business Center – Office of Wildland Fire (OWF) – Slip-On Tanker Units is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as BIL, enacted in November 2021 which provides funding to local governments to acquire slip-on tanker units to support wildland firefighters. 150 awards are anticipated. (Posted January 22, 2026 – March 23, 2026 deadline) VA National Cemetery Administration – Veterans Cemetery Grants solicits FY 2026 pre-applications for the development of grant funded projects included in VCGP’s FY 2027 priority list. Grants may be used only to establish, expand, or improve Veterans cemeteries that are owned and operated by states, U.S. territories, federally recognized tribal governments on trust land owned by, or held in trust for, the tribal organization or counties that meet the eligibility of 38 USC 2408. The US Department of Veteran Affairs (US-DVA) provides up to 100 percent of the development cost for an approved project. US-DVA can only provide operating equipment for the establishment of new cemeteries. US-DVA cannot pay for land acquisition. Cemeteries funded under the grant program must conform to the standards and guidelines pertaining to site selection, planning and construction prescribed by US-DVA. (Posted February 9, 2026 – July 1, 2026 deadline) Active general reminders from previous newsletters: Department of Commerce – National Institute of Standards and Technology Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE) Research Grant Programs supports activities that develop, expand, strengthen, or sustain NIST partnership programs and/or support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research in a variety of areas including, but not limited to: Metrology; Standards; Nanotechnology; Artificial Intelligence; Advanced Communications; Advanced Manufacturing; Promotion of U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness; Measurements in Sciences; Neutron Research; and enhancing coordination of the U.S. Standards System with government and private sector organizations. 300 awards expected. (Posted May 14, 2025 – rolling deadline) Department of Commerce – Economic Development Administration EDA FY25 Disaster Supplemental awards investments in regions experiencing severe economic distress or other economic harm resulting from hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024. EDA’s goal under this NOFO is to assist communities recovering from a disaster by realizing opportunities to recover and change the economic trajectory of the community for the better. In other words, EDA funding seeks to help communities recover and set them on a path to exceed their previous pre-disaster baseline. EDA seeks projects that are responsive to community needs post-disaster by engaging all aspects of the community, with special focus on private industry partners. (Posted June 4, 2025 – There are no submission deadlines. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new Disaster Supplemental NOFO, cancellation of this Disaster Supplemental NOFO or all available funds have been expended.) Department of Commerce – National Institute of Standards and Technology – CHIPS Research and Development Office (CRDO) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants for research, prototyping, and commercial solutions that advance microelectronics technology in the U.S., to be considered for funding by the CHIPS Research and Development Office (CRDO). (Posted September 29, 2025 – September 30, 2029 deadline) Department of Defense – Dept of the Army — Materiel Command DEVCOM Analysis Center Broad Agency Announcement For Applied Research CFDA number 12.431 is soliciting research proposals for submission to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Analysis Center (DAC) for funding consideration. 1000 awards are expected. (January 2028 deadline) Department of Education – Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Braille Training Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.235E Synopsis 1 offers financial assistance to projects that will (1) provide training in the use of braille for personnel providing vocational rehabilitation (VR) services or educational services to youth and adults who are blind; (2) develop braille training materials; (3) develop methods used to teach braille; and (4) develop activities used to promote the knowledge and use of braille and nonvisual access technology for youth and adults who are blind. (Posted December 29, 2025 – March 27, 2026 deadline) Environmental Protection Agency – Environmental Education Grant Program Synopsis 1 supports locally and regionally focused environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers, and community members. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques that increase public awareness and knowledge about local environmental issues and provides participants in its programs the skills necessary to make informed decisions and to take responsible actions toward the environment. (Posted January 7, 2026– March 3, 2026 deadline) Department of Housing and Urban Development – FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants NOFO Synopsis 3 is designed to: promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding to quickly rehouse individuals and families experiencing homelessness, persons experiencing trauma or a lack of safety related to fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and youth experiencing homelessness while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness; promote access to, and effective utilization of, mainstream programs and programs funded with State or local resources; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The goal of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is to support the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness and sharing that experience with and mobilizing communities around the country toward the same end. The population to be served by the demonstration program is youth ages 24 and younger who are experiencing homelessness, including unaccompanied and pregnant or parenting youth. (This notice has been enjoined due to a preliminary injunction. HUD will not implement or enforce this NOFO pending further court order. HUD will issue further clarification on the status of this or any other future Fiscal Year 2025 NOFO as necessary.) (Posted December 20, 2025 – February 25, 2026 deadline) Institute for Museum and Library Services – National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2026) supports projects that develop, enhance, or adapt replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services for the American public. The program supports projects that serve the learning needs of the public through libraries and archives; improve community prosperity through libraries and archives; provide broad access to and preservation of information and collections through libraries and archives; or provide services to affected communities in the event of an emergency or disaster. (Posted January 13, 2025 – March 13, 2026 deadline) Institute for Museum and Library Services – Museums for America (2026) invests in museums of all sizes and disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities. (Posted January 13, 2025 – March 13, 2026 deadline) Institute for Museum and Library Services – Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2026) Synopsis 1 projects build a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country. (Posted January 13, 2025 – March 13, 2026 deadline) Institute for Museum and Library Services – Inspire Grants for Small Museums (2026) Synopsis 1 is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program designed to support small museums of all disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities. (Posted January 13, 2025 – March 13, 2026 deadline) Department of Interior – Fish and Wildlife Service F25AS00282 National Fish Passage Program FY25 Synopsis 1 provides technical and financial assistance to partners to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic connectivity, improve community safety, and support local economies. Fish passage projects benefit communities by reducing flood risk, improving recreational opportunities, and improving roads while supporting native fish populations and aquatic ecosystems. NFPP project examples include dam removals, culvert replacements, floodplain restoration, and the installation of fishways. It is estimated that for every $1 million invested by the program, $1.5 million in value is added to the economy. (Posted September 3, 2025 – December 31, 2026 deadline) Department of Justice – Bureau of Justice Assistance BJA FY25 The Kevin and Avonte Program: Reducing Injury and Death of Missing Individuals with Dementia and Developmental Disabilities Synopsis 1 seeks to support public safety efforts to reduce deaths and injuries of people living with forms of dementia or developmental disabilities who wander from safe places. The grant program will fund the purchase of tracking technology used to find vulnerable missing persons. It also funds wandering prevention, intervention, and rescue programs. The goal of this grant program is to reduce deaths and injuries with solutions that minimize restrictive interventions, provide a direct link to individuals and families, and impose limits only when essential for a person’s safety and well-being. (Posted January 13,, 2025 – February 20, 2026 deadline) Department of Justice – Office for Victims of Crime OVC FY25 Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking Synopsis 1 will support jurisdictions to develop and expand a multidisciplinary, collaborative task force approach to better respond to human trafficking through increased victim identification, service provision, and case investigations. (Posted December 30, 2025 – March 11, 2026 deadline) Department of Justice – Office for Victims of Crime OVC FY25 Housing Assistance for Victims of Human Trafficking, OVC FY25 Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Human Trafficking, OVC FY25 Preventing Trafficking of Girls are three programs to: provide rapid rehousing (i.e., transitional housing and supportive services that assist human trafficking victims in moving as quickly as possible into permanent housing and achieving stability); enhance the availability, quality, and delivery of services tailored to the developmental stages and needs of young (minor) victims of human trafficking; develop or enhance prevention and early intervention services for girls who are at risk of, or are victims of, sex and/or labor trafficking. (Posted December 30, 2025 – February 24, 2026 deadline) Department of Justice – Office for Victims of Crime OVC FY25 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking will develop, expand, and strengthen victim service programs for victims of all forms of human trafficking throughout the United States and its territories. This program provides funding for comprehensive and specialized services for victims of all forms of human trafficking and is intended for victim services programs serving adults or a combination of adults and minors/youth. (Posted December 30, 2025 – March 11, 2026 deadline) Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration YouthBuild 2025 provides grants to prepare participants for quality jobs in various industry sectors, and includes wrap-around supportive services such as assistance in transportation, childcare, and housing. YouthBuild programs must offer participants construction training and hands-on experiences building affordable housing for their community. Programs may also include a Construction Plus component, providing vocational training in additional high-demand industries. (Posted December 23, 2025 – March 2, 2026 deadline) Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration Port Infrastructure Development Program funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports or intermodal connections to ports. (Posted December 23, 2025 – February 28, 2026 deadline) Department of Veterans Affairs – Veterans Legacy Grants Program Forecast 1 will provide grants to eligible entities for the purpose of conducting cemetery research related to national, State, or Tribal Veterans’ cemeteries; producing educational materials that teach about the history of Veterans interred in national, State, or Tribal Veterans’ cemeteries; and promoting community engagement with the histories of Veterans interred in national, State, or Tribal Veterans’ cemeteries. This is a Forecast posted July 17, 2025 – the estimated post date is March 13, 2026 with a April 17, 2026 deadline) Important note: Federal grants are very competitive. To ensure your application is processed, please verify that your organization’s registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is valid and current. Go to SAM: Systems for Award Management and follow the FAQs and User Guides to update and verify your SAM data. Current SAM registration is mandatory for most agencies, and grants will not be awarded to applicants without valid and current registration in SAM. Registration on SAM.gov is free of charge. If you are applying for a federal grant and would like to request a letter of support, or have questions about the application process, please contact my state office at Hawaiioffice@hirono.senate.gov, and include this form and the one-page abstract of your project. Letters of support are submitted directly to the granting agency from my office after the complete application has been submitted. I encourage you to share these grant resources with anyone who may benefit from this information. Mahalo, Mazie K. Hirono United States Senator You can follow my work in the U.S. Senate on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you would like to contact me, please visit my website. |
February Federal Grant Opportunites
University Lab School * University High School * Junior Bows Alumni * Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 