Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE)

The Food and Fiber Processing Grant Program, administered by the Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) on behalf of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, supports the scaling of existing and new products produced and harvested in New York State. Funding is available for the construction and renovation of facilities, as well as the purchase and installation of equipment. Priority will be given to projects that expand processing for fruits, vegetables, grains and beans for human consumption; plant and animal fibers. Eligible applicants may apply for awards ranging from $250,000 to $2.5 million. Of the $8.5 million available, $1 million is reserved for projects that use plant and animal fiber. Processed products developed through the grant must contain a minimum of 51% raw agricultural ingredients grown or raised in New York State.

The Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Development (AMP'D) Iowa Program provides Iowa advanced manufacturing employers with reimbursement grants of up to 80 percent of training costs, with maximums of $4,000 per employee and $250,000 per business, to design and implement employer-led training programs that build a more skilled and competitive manufacturing workforce. Administered by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and funded through a $4.7 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund (Iowa was one of 14 states to receive an award), AMP'D Iowa provides approximately $4.3 million in available funding statewide to reimburse Iowa advanced manufacturers for training newly hired or current employees. The program builds on Iowa's industry-led Manufacturing 4.0 initiative and is designed to help manufacturers close skilled labor gaps, create new pipelines of workers, accelerate upskilling, offset the high cost of training, and improve worker retention by aligning training with the technological needs of modern manufacturing. To qualify, employers must operate in Iowa's advanced manufacturing sector and train employees in eligible manufacturing occupations identified by the program. Priority funding is given to eligible small and medium-sized employers (with 0 to 499 employees), and reimbursement amounts are scaled based on employer size. Reimbursements are processed at two milestones: the first upon completion of the training program, and the second upon verified job retention with the employer for six months following training completion. To receive reimbursement, employers must formally agree to program and individual employee reporting requirements, document valid expenses, and verify training completions, credential attainment, and six-month employee retention. Applications are reviewed as they are received, on a rolling basis.

The Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation for the Astronomical Sciences (ATI) program provides individual investigator and collaborative research grants for the development of new technologies and instrumentation for use in ground-based astronomy and astrophysics.The program supports achieving the science objectives of the Division of Astronomical Sciences. The development of innovative, potentially transformative, technologies and instruments are sought, even at high technical risk.Supported categories include (but are not limited to):advanced technology development, concept feasibility studies, and specialized instrumentation to enable new observations that are difficult or impossible to obtain with existing means.Proposals may include hardware and/or software development and/or analysis to enable new types of astronomical observations.

The Rooted In Growth Grant awards four U.S.-based hair care businesses with $50,000 each in flexible grant funding, plus access to a founder-focused mentorship program, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and brand visibility across amika's and Fifteen Percent Pledge's marketing channels. Presented by amika, a professional haircare brand, in partnership with the Fifteen Percent Pledge (a racial equity and economic justice nonprofit that calls on major retailers and corporations to commit at least 15 percent of their shelf space, sales revenue, and annual spend to Black-owned businesses), the program is built to back the next generation of underrepresented professional haircare founders with capital and structured support. The program is aimed at founders from communities that have historically been overlooked by traditional funding streams. Eligible underserved founders include (but are not limited to) those from Black, African, or African American, AAPI, Hispanic, Latino, Latina, or Latinx, or LGBTQIA+ backgrounds, as well as parents with earned income below the poverty level, first-generation immigrants, and women. Founders from any background traditionally overlooked by traditional funding may apply regardless of race. Acceptance of the grant carries a commitment to fully participate in amika's Rooted In Growth mentorship and networking program, which spans several months and includes an in-person kickoff event at amika HQ in New York City, virtual mentorship sessions three times per month, and participation in a major industry trade show. Travel and accommodations for in-person events are covered by amika. To qualify, applicants must operate in the hair care space (tools, wigs, color, extensions, or products), currently sell a CPG product, be U.S.-based with annual revenue under $2.5 million, and be at least 51 percent owned by underserved founders. Applicants must currently sell to or aspire to expand into professional distribution channels such as salon distributors or direct-to-stylist. Additional requirements include a clear mission of inclusivity and community impact, products that reflect inclusive values and consumer needs, and readiness to share their story and engage in the mentorship and brand-building components of the program. Applications are reviewed by a joint committee composed of members from the Fifteen Percent Pledge and amika, and finalists are selected based on the strength of the founder's story, mission, and purpose, business viability and opportunity for growth, clear demonstration of community impact and inclusive values, and readiness for brand amplification and storytelling.

Provides funds to businesses through the four Ben Franklin Technology Partners for access to capital, business expertise, technology commercialization services to advance the development of new technologies and for the generation, conservation, and transportation of alternative and clean energy.