Outta Excuses Grant

A central goal of the BRAIN Initiative is to understand how electrical and chemical signals code information in neural circuits and give rise to sensations, thoughts, emotions and actions. While currently available technologies can provide some understanding, they may not be sufficient to accomplish this goal. For example, non-invasive technologies are low resolution and/or provide indirect measures such as blood flow, which are imprecise; invasive technologies can provide information at the level of single neurons producing the fundamental biophysical signals, but they can only be applied to tens or hundreds of neurons, out of a total number in the human brain estimated at 85 billion.Other BRAIN FOAs seek to develop novel technology (RFA-NS-17-003) or to optimize existing technology ready for in-vivo proof-of-concept testing and collection of preliminary data (RFA-NS-17-004) for recording or manipulating neural activity on a scale that is beyond what is currently possible. This FOA seeks applications for unique and innovative technologies that are in an even earlier stage of development than that sought in other FOAs, including new and untested ideas that are in the initial stages of conceptualization.In addition to experimental approaches, the support provided under this FOA might enable calculations, simulations, computational models, or other mathematical techniques for demonstrating that the signal sources and/or measurement technologies are theoretically capable of meeting the demands of large-scale recording or manipulation of circuit activity in humans or in animal models. The support might also be used for building and testing phantoms, prototypes, in-vitro or other bench-top models in order to validate underlying theoretical assumptions in preparation for future FOAs aimed at testing in animal models.

The Hampton Roads Regional Apprenticeship Hub Employer Incentive provides employers and Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) sponsors in Southeastern Virginia's Hampton Roads region with reimbursement grants of up to $30,000 to help develop and expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Administered by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and funded through a $6 million Apprenticeship Building America Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, the incentive is designed to help offset the initial financial risks and resource investments involved in launching or expanding a highly skilled, specialized workforce through a "grow-your-own" and "earn-while-you-learn" apprenticeship strategy. Eligible expenses include the registration of an apprenticeship program, train-the-trainer costs, curriculum development costs, classroom education or online training, and training supplies for apprentices, with specific funding caps per activity detailed in the incentive application. Ineligible uses include training that began before the incentive agreement was executed, using funds to offset current training costs without expanding training capacity through a registered apprenticeship program, wrap-around support (such as transportation, housing, or childcare), general education not tied to specific on-the-job skills, general onboarding or orientation without a defined skill progression, mandatory compliance training without additional skill advancement, continuing education unrelated to job performance, training primarily for networking or professional association participation, construction or purchase of facilities, business relocation expenses, lobbying, and research and development. The incentive is open to employers and sponsors of any size or cohort size operating in the Hampton Roads region of Southeastern Virginia, including the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg, and the counties of Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton, York, and Eastern Shore. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are exhausted, with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council reviewing applications and notifying applicants of a decision within two weeks. Approved employers receive an incentive agreement and supporting documentation for invoicing, and payment may take up to 45 days after the Council receives the appropriate documentation to process the reimbursement request.

The SafetyWorks Training Grant provides Massachusetts-based employers with up to $25,000 in funding for employee training that prevents or addresses workplace injuries and illness. Also known as the Workplace Safety Grant, the program is administered by the Office of Safety within the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) and supports a wide range of hands-on, in-person safety training topics, including emergency response and first aid, workplace violence prevention and de-escalation, fire and electrical safety, fall protection, hazardous materials handling, confined space and rescue, and regulatory compliance, among others. The grant operates as a reimbursement program: training must be pre-approved and conducted under a signed contract before any costs become eligible, and all training must be delivered by Massachusetts-based trainers. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but training and funding must occur during announced funding cycles.

Data science is an important cross-cutting research approach in the 2022 - 2026 NIDA Strategic Plan and increasing the capacity of experts in addiction related data science is critical. The purpose of this Notice is to facilitate the entry of investigators to the area of addiction-related data science, including newly independent data scientists or established investigators seeking to incorporate novel and cutting-edge data science methodologies into their research programs for the first time. Through this opportunity, investigators will propose to apply emerging data science methods to answer critical questions requiring advanced data analytic strategies. Projects should be small in scale and answer specific research questions or provide preliminary data for a larger scale project. Applicants are encouraged to use existing datasets, follow FAIR principles, and, when applicable, attend to ethical concerns in the conduct of research involving human subjects. Ultimately, the aim is to expedite the development of robust research programs focused on the convergence of innovative data science techniques and addiction research, with initial projects serving as precursors for subsequent, more expansive research projects.

Employee retention is one of the biggest challenges for small businesses today. Larimer County’s LIGHTR Grant may it easier to keep your staff engaged by funding their professional development. Apply for up to $3,000 in grand funding per business, to: Fill skill gaps in your current workforce. Upskill staff to move into key leadership positions. Cover the costs of industry-recognized certifications. This partnership between Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins is designed specifically for small businesses (2-50 employees).