Application Notes:

Mandatory pre-applications must be submitted within the following dates: 

• Spring funding round: between February 3, 2025, and 5:00 p.m. ET on February 28, 2025
• Fall funding round: between August 4, 2025, and 5:00 p.m. ET on August 29, 2025

An optional webinar for funding agency programs is scheduled as follows:

January 29, 2025
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET
Registration: gcc.teams.microsoft.com

An optional webinar is scheduled for this program as follows:

February 5, 2025
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
Registration: events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com

Programmatic information sessions and pre-application workshops are also expected to be scheduled for this program between July 21, 2025, and August 1, 2025, and between August 4, 2025, and August 15, 2025, respectively.

Applicants submitting successful pre-applications will be invited to submit applications, which must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on one of the following dates:

• Spring funding round: April 11, 2025
• Fall funding round: October 10, 2025

Refer to the PreNOFA, OldNOFA and OldOverview files for preliminary application information.

The information below is from a previous fiscal year and should be used for reference purposes only.

Prior to submitting pre-applications, applicants are required to contact their state program manager using the information provided in the Contact section for pre-application development feedback. Additionally, prior to submitting pre-applications, it is recommended that applicants in Maine, New York, and Vermont submit the project interest form, attached as the ProjectInterestForm file, to the address provided in the Contact section prior to contacting their state program manager. For applicants in New Hampshire, applicants are encouraged to sign up for the technical assistance program detailed online at nbrc-nh.com. Refer to page 4 of the Overview file for additional information.

Pre-applications must be submitted online at nbrcgrants.my.site.com. Hard-copy and emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Pre-applications must include:

• Waiver request (if applicable)
• Project title
• Co-applicant information (if applicable)
• Overview tab
• Locations tab
• Budget tab
• Forms and files tab

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Pre-applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Eligibility, including eligible project locations, eligible applicant and co-applicant criteria, and waiver completion
• Alignment with program priorities
• Costs and expected benefits associated with the requested investment, and benefits provided to the broader community and region

Match Notes:

Projects located in a county designated as distressed require a 20 percent match. Projects located in a county designated as transitional require a 50 percent match.

The information below is from a previous fiscal year and should be used for reference purposes only.

Applicants must provide cash and/or in-kind matching contributions based on the county(ies) the project is located in. Projects located in an isolated area of distress require a 50 percent match

In addition, applicants located in a county designated as attainment or outside of an eligible county in a member state with an approved waiver are eligible for the match rate associated with the county where the program funds are invested. Additionally, multicounty projects require an average of match rates. Refer to pages 25-29 of the OldNOFA file for detailed information regarding the match requirement based on project location.

Matching contributions may originate from other federal sources; however, no more than 80 percent of the match funding may be comprised of federal grant funding sources.

Matching contributions must be committed within one year of award.

Funding Notes:

Up to an estimated $50 million is available to support awards through this program, with an estimated $36 million available for the spring funding round and an estimated $14 million available for the fall funding round. Maximum award amounts will vary based on project type, as follows:

• Non-infrastructure projects: awards of up to $500,000
• Infrastructure projects: awards of up to $1 million

Infrastructure projects may be eligible for up to an additional $2 million, for a total maximum award of $3 million, if the project meets one of the criteria detailed on page 1 of the PreNOFA file.

Award notifications for the spring funding round will be made between June 5 and June 11, 2025. Award notifications for the fall funding round are expected to be made on December 19, 2025.

The information below is from a previous fiscal year and should be used for reference purposes only.

Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis. Award recipients are required to utilize a local development district (LDD) in their region to administer the award, as detailed on page 18 of the OldFAQ file.

Project periods will last for three years.

Funds may be used to match other federally funded projects when both federal agencies allow only when the total award funds from the funding agency and other federal funders do not exceed 80 percent of the total project budget.

Pass-through funding will not be provided, and applicants may not be conduits for ineligible entities.

Property purchased with award funds may not be sold or donated to a private entity beneficiary.

Funds may not be used for:

• Assisting any relocation from one area of the region to another
• Supplanting existing federal programs
• Projects that promote unfair competition between businesses with the same immediate service area
• Fees or profits to the award recipient or subrecipient
• Application preparation
• Food and beverages
• Meals and lodging
• Alcohol
• Entertainment
• Appraisals of property to be purchased or used as match

Refer to pages 12-13 of the OldNOFA file for additional ineligible costs.