Weekly Funding Digest

OPENING SUMMARY — WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21 – 25, 2026

Aviation Infrastructure:

FAA Contract Tower (FCT) Competitive Grant Program (DOT-FAA-26-0117-002), up to $100,000,000 in IIJA Airport Infrastructure Grant funds for airport-owned air traffic control towers, $25,000–$55,000,000. Eligibility is a closed list of 186 FCT and candidate-list airports.

Due October 19, 2026.

Clean Transportation / Air Quality:

EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Program (EPA-OAR-OTAQ-26-01), approximately $180,000,000 — three fiscal years of funding pooled into one round, 4–12 awards per EPA Region. Region 9 carries the largest allocation ($42.6M) and the highest per-application cap ($12M). No for-profit applicants; mandatory cost share runs as high as 75% on most replacements. Due January 22, 2027.

Geothermal / Prize Competitions:

DOE Office of Geothermal GEMS Prize — a $300,000 data-science competition to map hidden geologic faults from geophysical data, individual prizes $10,000–$100,000 (LOW). Open to U.S. individuals, teams, and U.S.-based private entities. Submissions close December 3, 2026.

National Lab Commercialization:

DOE Technology Commercialization Fund CLIMR Technology Specific Lab Call (DE-LC-000L130), an estimated $33,000,000–$41,000,000. DOE labs, plants, and sites apply; companies participate as partners through the Teaming Partner List. Deadlines to be confirmed on Exchange. Concept Papers due 11/3/26; Full applications due 3/1/27.

Natural Resources:

USDA NRCS Easement Restoration and Stewardship (USDA-NHQ-ACEP-26-NOFO0001456) — $5,000,000 across one to four cooperative agreements, $250,000–$5,000,000, for four- to five-year restoration, stewardship, and monitoring work on NRCS wetland and floodplain easements. Open to for-profits, including engineering and restoration firms; no cost share. Due November 19, 2026.

California State Opportunities:

CEC GFO-26-502 Integrated Point-Source Carbon Capture and Advanced Combustion at Industrial Facilities — demonstration projects pairing capture equipment with combustion retrofits at California industrial sites. $5,992,293 in total funding; $1,000,000-$5,992,293 per award. Due January 19, 2027; questions due November 20; pre-application workshop November 4.

CalRecycle Increased Recycling of Empty Glass Beverage Containers, FY 2026–27 — $14,198,550, $250,000–$4,000,000, for bin-based glass collection from bars and restaurants. Certified recycling centers, collection programs, community service programs, and cities/counties only; 100% match required. Due October 29, 2026.

CDFA 2026 California Nutrition Incentive Program — $13,500,000, $50,000–$12,500,000, for CalFresh incentives on California-grown produce. SNAP-authorized farmers’ markets, CSAs, farm stands, and small businesses, or nonprofits applying on their behalf. Due November 3, 2026.

CNRA Youth Community Access Grant Program, Round 4 — approximately $15,000,000 in Proposition 64 funds, $30,000–$300,000, no match, for youth access to natural and cultural resources. Public agencies, nonprofits, and California Native American tribes. Due November 4, 2026.

New York State Opportunities:

NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence, Round 7 — demonstration awards up to $1,500,000 and Early Design Support awards up to $150,000 for zero-emission, resilient multifamily buildings. Due January 20, 2027.

NYSERDA Sun and Soil Program (PON 6206) — $10,000,000 multi-year agrivoltaics program covering planning, implementation, and applied research on New York farms. Round 1 due December 10, 2026; Round 2 due April 20, 2027.

Watch List / Upcoming:

CEC GFO-26-502 pre-application workshop — November 4, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., remote only.

DERA National information sessions — three webinars; schedule and links posted on the DERA National website.

DOE TCF Technology Specific Lab Call — concept paper and full application deadlines not yet confirmed from public-facing pages; check the Exchange listing.

NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence Round 7 — solicitation number and round funding not yet confirmed; the program page’s “apply” link still points to the closed Round 6 solicitation (RFP 3928).

NYSERDA PON 6206 — per-project caps and any cost-share requirement still to be pulled from the PON Summary.