Solar on a roof in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) has announced the opening of applications for Fiscal Year 2024 funding, with special attention to projects from the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories that focus on climate change, energy, and natural resources.
This initiative is part of a broader funding effort that includes the Technical Assistance Program (TAP), as well as other assistance and conservation grants.
The available funding programs include Technical Assistance (TAP), Maintenance Assistance (MAP), Coral Reef and Natural Resources (CRNR), and Brown Tree Snake (BTS) control. All proposals must be submitted by March 15, 2024, but Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor advises potential applicants to apply as soon as possible.
"We try to support as many well-deserving projects as possible and encourage all to apply early for Fiscal Year 2024 funding," Cantor said. "Applications that address climate change, energy, and natural resources are still being given priority consideration.”
These grants are available to U.S. territories such as American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the freely associated states, which include the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
Eligible entities include insular area government bodies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations, with the condition that the projects directly benefit the aforementioned territories and states in alignment with federal regulations.
Interested parties can find more details and apply using CFDA# 15.875 on www.grants.gov. While the deadline for submission is set for March of 2024, applications will be reviewed following the receipt of full-year appropriations by the OIA. Proposals concerning public safety and emergencies may be considered earlier than the set deadline.
Final funding decisions are expected to be made by the end of September 2024. Additional information regarding the financial grants can be accessed on the OIA website.
