AmeriCorps

Learn the Value of AmeriCorps Service! Interested in addressing local challenges in communities across the country while developing job skills and earning money for school?

Join a virtual information session to find out if a year or summer as an AmeriCorps member serving with the VISTA program could be right for you. We’ll share service opportunities, benefits, requirements, and more.

AmeriCorps VISTA: Get the Basics

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2-3 p.m. ET

Register

Learn more about the AmeriCorps VISTA program.

HBCU Tax Preparation Session

On January 25, 2022 from 4-5PM, EST, The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity through HBCU’s federal agency partner, the Internal Revenue Service, will be hosting a session to teach HBCU students the ins and outs of filing their taxes.

About this event

Join the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (WHIEEAA) and the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHIHBCU) for our upcoming session to teach HBCU students the ins and outs of filing their taxes. The session will also discuss ways that your HBCU can offer free income tax preparation to students and the community on campus.

To register, please visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hbcu-tax-preparation-registration-220781061097

The Minority Business Development Agency

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is seeking public comment on the establishment of a Rural Business Center Program. MBDA is seeking comments from members of the public, including but not limited to operators of rural businesses and persons with expertise and information, to provide information related to minority businesses in rural areas. Comments must be received by January 25, 2022 at 5 pm ET. Read more here.

Broadband Grant Programs Public Virtual Listening Sessions

NTIA will host broadband grant program public virtual listening sessions in connection with the five new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program; the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program; and the Digital Equity Act Programs, which include the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. These public virtual listening sessions are designed to collect stakeholder input to help inform program development and implementation.

NTIA will hold the public virtual listening sessions based on the following schedule:

1. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Broadband Programs Public Virtual Listening Session #3: Wednesday, January 26, 2022, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. ET;
2. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Broadband Programs Public Virtual Listening Session #4: Wednesday, February 9, 2022, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. ET; and
3. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Broadband Programs Public Virtual Listening Session #5: Wednesday, February 23, 2022, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. ET.

These listening sessions will be hosted via NTIA’s virtual platform and conducted as a live public listening session. NTIA will post the registration information on its BroadbandUSA website .

Federal Register Notice: Broadband Grant Programs Public Virtual Listening Sessions

2nd Annual Virtual GeoAg Conference

You are invited to attend the free 2nd Annual Virtual GeoAg Conference on Friday, February 4, 2022, from 10 am to 5 pm EST hosted by the Florida Memorial University Department of Health and Natural Sciences; the KEEP Foundation; and the GeoAg Institute.

RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/geoag-annual-conference-tickets-174148993327

Over 250 faculty researchers at more than 50 HBCUs and African Universities are knowledgeable about geological agriculture. This conference will highlight the research of the top 20 GeoAg researchers from around the world from the academic and private sectors engaged in a variety of fields of study and initiatives.

This year’s conference will include new research presentations from volunteer faculty from:

1. Florida Memorial University
2. Savannah State University
3. Morehouse College
4. Morgan State University
5. Bronx Community College
6. Tennessee State University

RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/geoag-annual-conference-tickets-174148993327

We will forward to seeing you or one of your colleagues on the First Friday in February 2022.  Feel free to share and post this invitation to those interested in innovation and research.

Click here to view the flyer: GeoAg 2nd Annual Conference Feb 4 2022.jpg

U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce

Chamber News

• SBA Eliminates Use of Product Service Codes For Nonmanufacturer Rule Class Waivers (smallgovcon.com)
• Acquisition Regulations: Buy Indian Act; Procedures for Contracting (federalregister.gov)
• Supreme Court blocks nationwide vaccine and testing mandate for large businesses, allows health care worker vaccine mandate to take effect (cnn.com)
• How cloud migrations are accelerating research at NCI; CMMC 2.0 advice for the DIB (fedscoop.com)

Transition of the Data Universal Numbering System Number to the Unique Entity Identifier in the System for Awards Management (DoD)(acq.osd.mil)

Upcoming Web-Conference Meetings

• Doing Business with the EPA, 01/27/2022
• WOSB/EDWOSB Overview and Certification Process, 02/02/2022
• GovCon Optimization | Gov 101: Beginning the Journey, 02/02/2022
• What do you need to know about CMMC?, 02/03/2022
• GovCon Optimization | Utilizing Mental Muscle to Win Government Contracts, 02/08/22
• Supplier Council | 2022 NDAA Regulatory Update, 02/09/2022
• Doing Business with ManTech, 02/16/2022
• Marketing your Business | Matchmaking 101, 02/17/2022
• Doing Business with the SOCOM, 02/23/2022
• WOSB/EDWOSB Overview and Certification Process, 03/02/22
• USWCC Introduction – Leveraging Your Women’s Chamber to Grow Your Business, 03/03/22

GovCon Optimization | Introduction to GovCon Optimization, 03/15/22

Registrations Now Open! National Small Business Federal Contracting Summit | Spring Virtual 3/9/2022 – 3/10/22  Accepting Nominations – 2022 USWCC Women Contractor Awards 

 U.S. Department of Labor

Below is a link to this weeks’ job announcement highlights. FULL list of application links for all DOL career opportunities can be found at https://www.usajobs.gov/Search?d=DL

VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES (VETS)

Veterans Program Specialist – https://www.usajobs.gov/job/630662900

 As of 1/14/22 there are 176 DOL agency career opportunities!. List changes daily! Check it out!        

Social Security Administration Fellowship and Grants Opportunities!

The Social Security Administration is offering various fellowship and grant opportunities for students in a variety of disciplines at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College https://crr.bc.edu/about-us/grant-programs/. Please market these student opportunities in the Department of Education’s weekly newsletters on a continuous basis from now until the application period closes on January 31, 2022.

We are also offering opportunities in the Analyzing Relationships between Disability, Rehabilitation and Work (ARDRAW) Small Grants Program https://ardraw.policyresearchinc.org/. information webinar on January 13. 2022 and application due date is February 25, 2022 this and additional information is contained on the attached link.  Please market these student opportunities in the Department of Education’s weekly newsletters on a continuous basis.

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation invites college students to join us for a four-part webinar series this spring semester, featuring interactive conversations with leaders in the field of historic preservation, as well as inspirational individuals who are engaged in preserving, restoring, interpreting, and discussing the history and heritage of African Americans in the United States through the power of historic sites.

To register for one or more of our FREE webinars, just click on the following link: https://achp.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_DmZEwJcvS2ax7wZQm9rqIg

• January 26, 7 p.m. ET – Find a Career in Historic Preservation and Related Fields
• February 23, 5 p.m. ET — Interpreting Enslaved People’s History Into Historic Sites
• March 30, 2 p.m. ET –Preserving African American Burial Sites
• April 27, 5 p.m. ET- Natural Disasters and Their Threat to Historic Preservation

To register for one or more of our FREE webinars, just click on the following link: https://achp.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_DmZEwJcvS2ax7wZQm9rqIg

ACHP Internship Opportunity for Newsletters

Are you, or do you know of, a student interested in the preservation, enhancement, and sustainable use of our nation’s diverse historic resources? The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) in Washington, D.C., has internship opportunities available for undergraduate or graduate students, as well as individuals at an early stage of their career and professional development. A small, independent federal agency, the ACHP oversees the historic preservation review process for federal projects and manages a variety of preservation programs dealing with national preservation policy and legislation, Native American interests, building a more inclusive preservation program, promoting public appreciation of cultural heritage, sustainability, community revitalization, economic development, and youth engagement.

Candidates should have an interest in historic preservation and may come from a wide variety of disciplines, such as history, architectural history, archaeology, planning, law, architectural design, cultural resource management, communications, or education. Selected interns complete projects contributing to or broadening awareness of the work of the ACHP nationwide. Specific assignments are developed based on current agency needs and the skills and interests of selected interns. Interns become familiar with the full range of work of the agency through orientation, training, and by participating in meetings to observe the development and implementation of federal historic preservation policy, as well as in programs with others interning at related agencies and organizations. Advisory Council members, staff, and the ACHP Foundation assist interns with networking and advice.

Summer internships generally last 10 weeks/full-time or part-time and will be carried out remotely in 2022. Projects can be designed so that academic credit can be awarded, and professional staff members supervise all interns. The ACHP Foundation provides a stipend equivalent to $15/hour.

Interested applicants should apply using this form and a resume. Send to Judy Rodenstein, Internship Program Coordinator, at jrodenstein@achp.gov. The deadline to apply in Feb. 11, 2022.

National Museum of African American History and Culture is Hiring!

Meaningful internships offering hands-on experience in digital preservation of African American history and culture.

Deadline is February 15, 2022. See attached flyer!

University Student Research Challenge (USRC)

Amendment 2 to the NASA ARMD Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) 2021 NRA has been posted on the NSPIRES web site.

University Student Research Challenge (solicitation NNH21ZEA001N-USRC) seeks to challenge students to propose new aeronautics ideas/concepts that are relevant to NASA Aeronautics.  USRC will provide students, from accredited U.S. colleges or universities, with grants for their projects and includes the challenge of raising cost share funds through a crowdfunding campaign.  The process of creating and implementing a crowdfunding campaign acts as a teaching accelerator – requiring students to act like entrepreneurs and raise awareness about their research among the public.

The solicitation goal can be accomplished through project ideas such as advancing the design, developing technology or capabilities in support of aviation, by demonstrating a novel concept, or enabling advancement of aeronautics-related technologies.

Notices of Intent (NOIs) are not required for this solicitation.  Three-page proposals for the next USRC cycle are due February 24, 2022.

Proposals can also be submitted later and will be evaluated in the third cycle. The due date for the third cycle is June 23, 2022.

U.S. Department of Energy

Omni Technology Alliance Internship Program

The DOE Omni Technology Alliance Internship Program provides paid 10-week summer internships for up to three consecutive summers for talented undergraduate and graduate students in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and other related fields.

Interns will hold appointments at DOE national laboratories, Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs), plants, DOE Headquarters, and other approved sites.

Interns will receive hands-on experience in an immersive environment that provides them with an understanding of the mission, operations, and culture of DOE. Moreover, interns will be mentored by leading scientists, engineers, and other top professionals to address cybersecurity and information technology challenges while gaining valuable, real-world experience to complement their education and open opportunities for careers within the federal government.

For more information, click here: https://orise.orau.gov/doe-omni/index.html

2021 U.S.-Brazil Innovation Fund Grant Competition

All higher education institutions in the United States are invited to apply for a grant competition with SENAI (Brazilian National Service of Industrial Training) Higher Education Schools and Innovation Institutes. The competition is sponsored by the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Initiative. Proposals must promote academic exchange and training for students in the fields of: i) Internet of Things (IoT), ii) Cloud Computing, iii) Big Data, iv) Cybersecurity, v) Artificial Intelligence, vi) Environment & Climate Solutions, vii) Human Rights and Public Policy, viii) Health Sciences and Public Health, ix) Education (Technology & Distance/Virtual Ed), x) Biotechnology, xi) Business Development, xii) Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), xiii) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The intent of this Innovation Fund grant competition is to award up to six (6) Innovation Fund Grants of up to US$34,250 each to selected proposals co-developed by teams of U.S. and Brazilian eligible institutions (SENAI Higher Education Schools and Innovation Institutes), pending the proposal evaluation and selection process.

Application Period: October 14, 2021 – March 28, 2022

For more information, visit: http://www.100kstrongamericas.org/grants/

National Endowment for the Arts

Research Awards Application Guidelines Webinar,Hosted by the National Endowment for the Arts

Feb 9, 2022 02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Research Grants in the Arts funds research that investigates the value and/or impact of the arts, either as individual components of the U.S. arts ecology or as they interact with each other and/or with other domains of American life. NEA Research Labs funds transdisciplinary research teams grounded in the social and behavioral sciences, yielding empirical insights about the arts for the benefit of arts and non-arts sectors alike.

Registration is required for the webinar.

Closed captions will be available during this webinar. Should you need ASL or Spanish interpretation, please email events@arts.gov by Friday, January 21st, 2022.

The NASA SBIR and STTR 2022 Phase I Program Solicitations are now open, with proposals due by March 9, 2022, at 5:00 pm ET.

The annual NASA SBIR and STTR Phase I solicitations are your invitation to join a community of NASA experts, small businesses, and research institutions who are researching and developing the technologies of tomorrow. If selected, you could be awarded up to $150,000 to further develop your technology idea. And Phase I is just your start…you can receive up to $1.15 million during your first three years, plus up to nearly $3 million or more through our Post Phase II opportunities. Here are a few tips to help you get started on your submission:

1. Carefully read the solicitation(s) you’re applying to, including:

• Chapter 2, which has information about how to complete the Small Business Administration (SBA) and SAM.gov registration processes: SBIR | STTR
• Chapter 9, which contains the Focus Area and Subtopics that you will need to choose from: SBIR | STTR

2. Attend the January 20^th “Dissecting the Solicitations” webinar. A recording will be posted on the program’s website if you are unable to attend.

3. Consider applying for the Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Program and/or Technical and Business Assistance (TABA), which help small businesses commercialize their innovations through additional funding and other support. You’ll be able to indicate interest in either one when submitting your proposal.

4. Review other materials available on the NASA SBIR/STTR program website, such as:

• The Firm Templates, which will get you familiar with required forms
• The Resource Library, especially the “Preparing for a Phase 1 submission to increase likelihood of award” section We look forward to receiving your proposals by March 9, 2022, at 5:00 pm ET

Institute of Education Sciences

IES Invites Applications for The Community College Recovery Research Network

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is encouraging applications from eligible postsecondary education agencies , community college systems, and researchers to the Improving Pandemic Recovery Efforts in Education Agencies grant program (84.305X), to examine recovery activities in community colleges. This grant program seeks to address disruptions caused by COVID-19 which have led to significant reductions in overall enrollments for learners at community colleges, stressed the existing support systems that community colleges use for meeting learners’ academic and non-academic needs, and highlighted existing disparities between community colleges and four-year institutions. IES encourages applicants to proposed projects that address the needs of student subgroups that have disproportionately been affected by COVID-19 including low-income students, racial/ethnic minority students, students experiencing homelessness, students with disabilities, migrant students, and students with low English proficiency.

More information about applying to this grant program can be found at the Funding Opportunities at IES web page. Interested applicants should consult the Request for Applications for the full set of eligibility and application requirements. Some key dates and resources are as follows:.

• January 31, 2022: Deadline for submitting a prospectus (not required) of your project plan to the program officer (by midnight). The program officer will review prospectuses and provide written feedback by COB on February 11, 2022.
• March 10, 2022, by 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time: Applications are due.
• September 1, 2022: Approved projects will start.

If you have questions about the Community College Recovery Research Network, please feel free to email the program officer responsible for this competition: James.Benson@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Agriculture

About the Farm to School Grant Program On an annual basis, USDA awards competitive Farm to School grants that support planning, developing, and implementing farm to school programs. USDA’s Farm to School grants are an important way to help state, regional, and local organizations as they initiate, expand, and institutionalize farm to school efforts.

FY2022 Request for Applications (RFA) Now Available!

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Farm to School Grant Program RFA is now available through www.Grants.gov. Be sure to visit the Grant Applicants Resources page to access other helpful resources, including links to webinars that provide specific assistance on applying for a Farm to School Grant.

Application Period Opens for Rural Business Development Grants

The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues.

Rural public entities are eligible to apply, including but not limited to: towns/local government, state agencies, authorities, nonprofit corporations, institutions of higher education, federally-recognized Tribes, and rural cooperatives (if organized as a private nonprofit corporation).    RBDG funds must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more.

Applications must be submitted to Rural Development by February 28, 2022, 4:30 p.m. local time.

Joint IES and NSF Funding Opportunity for National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes

The Institute of Education Sciences is the independent research, evaluation, and statistics arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Visit the IES website, sign up for the IES news flash or follow IES on Twitter and Facebook to learn more.

Learn more about what we do at www.ed.gov/whhbcu. Have suggestions or comments? Send them to oswhi-hbcu@ed.gov 

If you wish for your organizations announcements to be included in our weekly distribution, please email: HBCUnewsletter@ed.gov