Get Assistance
Technical assistance comes in three main forms: funding, services (help from real people), and educational resources.
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Funding for Technical Assistance
Technical assistance funding is designed to give you money to get the help you need for writing successful grants and managing implementation. Plan ahead for technical assistance funding, as the process of applying and receiving grants may take several months.
Services and Direct Support
Many organizations, both federal and non-federal, provide opportunities for individual guidance from experts on the grant submission process.
Title | Content | Source | Department/Agency | Purpose | Eligible Recipients | hf:tax:funding_type | hf:tax:program_purpose | hf:tax:eligible_recipients |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clean Cities Technical Assistance | Connects transportation stakeholders with objective information and experts to assist with alternative fuels, fuel economy improvements, and emerging transportation technologies. | Federal | U.S. Department of Energy | Housing | energy-infrastructure | |||
EPA’s Environmental Finance Center Network | Free help on training and technical assistance to small wastewater and decentralized wastewater treatment works serving approx. 10,000 or fewer people. | Federal | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Water and Wastewater | other-infrastructure technical-assistance | |||
Just Transition Fund |
Experts connect organizations with federal funding. Our team can support a range of needs, from early-stage planning through the submission of your federal application with direct coaching and consultation. | Non-Federal | Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) | Capacity Building, Economic Development | ||||
Small Business Programs // U.S. Department of the Treasury |
Supports small businesses through loans, credit support, and engagement with financial institutions | Federal | U.S. Department of Treasury | Economic Development | economic-development | |||
Shaping Our Appalachian Region |
Experts connect organizations with federal funding. Our team can support a range of needs, from early-stage planning through the submission of your federal application with direct coaching and consultation. | Federally Funded | Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) | Economic Development | ||||
DOE Office of Tribal Energy Technical Assistance |
Technical assistance related to energy use and future scenarios for U.S. state, local, and tribal jurisdictions. | Federal | U.S. Department of Energy | Energy | ||||
EPA’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities Program | Matches consultants with communities to support brownfield redevelopment and access to EPA funding. | Federal | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Economic Development, Evnrionmental Remediation | strategy-planning | |||
EPA Thriving Communities |
Helps communities plan and develop transportation and community revitalization activities for underresurced communities. | Federal | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Economic Development | ||||
USDA: Rural Development Programs |
Loans, grants and loan guarantees, and technical assistance to support economic development, community empowerment, agricultural producers and cooperatives, and housing. | Federal | U.S. Department of Agriculture | Economic Development | ||||
Water & Waste Disposal Technical Assistance & Training Grants |
Qualified, private nonprofits provide technical assistance and training to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems; helps applicants prepare applications for water and waste disposal loans/grants; and helps associations improve the operation and maintenance of water and waste facilities in eligible rural areas. | Federal | U.S. Department of Agriculture | Water and Wastewater | ||||
Rural Partners Network | The Rural Partners Network (RPN) is an alliance of federal agencies and commissions working directly with rural communities to expand rural prosperity through job creation, infrastructure development, and community improvement. | Federal | U.S. Department of Agriculture | Economic Development | technical-assistance | |||
Clean Energy Demonstration on Mine Land Technical Assistance |
Informs decision-making on topics related to developing clean energy projects on mine land. Through this effort, NREL provides no-cost technical assistance to communities and organizations that supports the development of successful, impactful, and replicable projects in line with CEML program priorities. These priorities are explicitly defined in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. | Federal | U.S. Department of Energy | Economic Development, Evnrionmental Remediation | economic-development economic-remediation |
Educational Resources
These resources help explain federal funding opportunities, how to apply, and provide guided education and technical assistance via webinars. This list evolves with changes in funding opportunities and we welcome suggestions for other resources to be included here.
Eligibility // U.S. Department of Agriculture
Site used to evaluate the likelihood that a potential applicant would be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture program assistance.
Grant Writing Basics Webinar Documents.pdf // U.S. Department of Agriculture
Resource outlining grant writing tips, questions to consider when developing a proposal, and guidance for submitting a federal funding application.
Innovation Matters: Funding Opportunities, Publications, Events and Learning // U.S. Department of Agriculture
Newsletter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Innovation Center that highlights funding, publications, events and other relevant resources.
Poverty Guidelines // ASPE
Poverty guidelines and additional information on poverty guidelines and poverty in the United States.
Rural America Placemaking Toolkit
Resource to identify placemaking projects that align with your community capacity and plan how to execute them.
Strategic Economic and Community Development Program
This program supports projects that promote and implement strategic community investment plans to advance prosperity in rural communities.
USDA LINC Training & Resource Library // Rural Development
A comprehensive library of resources for all U.S. Department of Agriculture Lender Interactive Network Connection lending partners.
BEST PRACTICES: Public Outreach and Engagement for Geologic Storage Projects
The best practices highlighted in this manual address the practical implications of conducting outreach and education for geologic storage projects across a variety of U.S. geologic and cultural settings.
Better Buildings Financing Navigator
Tool to match organizations and their projects with available financing options.
Building Your Energy Team
This webpage provides resources to assist states, local governments, and K–12 school districts in building their energy teams, including position description templates, national programs that support public-sector energy teams, and case studies.
Clean Energy Demonstrations on Current and Former Mine Land Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Demonstrations on Current and Former Mine Land Program will fund clean energy projects on mine land to benefit communities and their economies, create good-paying jobs and reduce carbon pollution.
Coal-dependent Communities in Transition: Identifying Best Practices to Ensure Equitable Outcomes
Report that examines the role of communities in the coal power plant decommissioning process and provides community-identified best practices to ensure an equitable process.
Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) Toolkit
Toolkit containing a comprehensive guide, FAQs, and PowerPoint presentation to give stakeholders an understanding of Community Benefit Agreements.
DOE’s National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) States Collaborative
Program that provides access to technical assistance, and more, as states seek to explore, launch, or expand community solar programs and maximize the benefits of deploying clean energy.
Doing Business with DOE // U.S. Department of Energy
Resources for small businesses considering doing business with the U.S. Department of Energy.
Energy Justice Mapping Tool – Disadvantaged Communities Reporter
Tool intended to allow users to explore and produce reports on census tracts that the U.S. Department of Energy has categorized as disadvantaged communities.
Energy Transitions Playbook
A proven, play-by-play approach to guide community-driven transitions to clean, resilient energy.
Fact Sheet: Community Benefit Plans At a Glance
Factsheet providing an overview of Community Benefit Plans that are required for certain U.S. Department of Energy grant programs.
Fact Sheet: FECM Domestic Engagement Framework
Summary of the two-way engagement needed between the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management and stakeholders to foster successful projects.
Fact Sheet: Societal Considerations and Impacts – Project Selection
Factsheet outlining scoring factors the U.S. Department of Energy will look at to assess societal considerations and impacts in certain funding applications.
Funding & Financing // U.S. Department of Energy
Information about the various grant, loan and financing programs offered through the U.S. Department of Energy.
Guide to Community Energy Strategic Planning
This guide explains how to best establish a leadership team to effectively develop and implement a community energy strategic plan.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Website navigator to help you find information across all federal LIHEAP websites.
Read the guidance for project teams: Creating a Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan
Guidance for developing an engagement plan for building relationships with stakeholders when implementing a U.S. Department of Energy grant.
Read the guidance for project teams: Creating a Justice40 Initiative Plan
This document walks through the two main activities needed to address energy and environmental justice in your project. Together, these two parts make up your Justice40 Initiative Plan.
Read the guidance for project teams: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Plans
Guide that describes the actions your project team will take, if selected for a U.S. Department of Energy award, to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for groups underrepresented in STEM and applicable workforces.
State and Local Planning for Energy (SLOPE) Platform // U.S. Department of Energy
Online platform to support data-driven state and local energy and decarbonization planning.
State and Local Solution Center // U.S. Department of Energy
The Solution Center highlights various technical assistance opportunities to help your organization reach its energy efficiency and renewable energy goals.
US Energy Jobs Report
A comprehensive summary of national and state-level employment, workforce, industry, occupation, unionization, demographic, and hiring information by energy technology groups.
Where to start for Communities Building and Energy Transformation
Virtual workshop with federal agencies and local practitioners to learn about available resources and best practices for addressing industrial change in a community.
CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index // U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Tool to help local officials identify communities that may need support before, during, or after disasters.
Learn Grants // Grants.gov
The Grants.gov Learning Center includes articles on grant topics, a community blog and FAQs to help you navigate federal grants.
Programs & Services // HHS.gov
Information on more than 100 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services programs.
BIL Funding for Roads, Bridges, and Major Projects
Recording of White House webinar providing details on roads, bridges, and major projects within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook.
Charging Forward: A Toolkit for Planning and Funding Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure // U.S. Department of Transportation
This toolkit acts as a one-stop resource to help rural communities scope, plan, and fund EV charging infrastructure.
How to Apply // U.S. Department of Transportation
Instructions on how to submit applications through Grants.gov.
US Department of Transportation Navigator
The U.S. Department of Transportation Navigator is a new resource to help communities understand the best ways to apply for grants, and to plan for and deliver transformative infrastructure projects and services.
Delta Regional Authority
Details regarding the strategic investments the Delta Regional Authority makes to create jobs, build communities and improve the lives of people residing in the Delta region.
Grant Resources // Appalachian Regional Commission
List of resources for every step of the Appalachian Regional Commission grant application process.
Grantee Information // U.S. Economic Development Administration
Resources to help U.S. Economic Development Administration grant recipients through every stage of the post award grant process.
Helpful Hints for EDA Applications // U.S. Economic Development Administration
Tips and tricks for submitting a strong proposal to U.S. Economic Development Administration grants and programs.
Resources // U.S. Economic Development Administration
Full list of resources offered through the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
RNTA Current Projects
Current projects receiving assistance from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Research and National Technical Assistance program.
BIL Funding for Environmental Remediation
Recording of White House webinar providing details on environmental remediation programs within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook.
BIL Funding for Resilience
Recording of White House webinar providing details on resilience programs within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook.
BIL Funding for Water
Recording of White House webinar providing details on water programs within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook.
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
Map that shows overburdened and underserved census tracts.
Coal Energy Infrastructure and Resources // U.S. Energy Information Administration
Map of coal infrastructure and resources in the United States.
Energy Justice Workbook
Workbook that aims to address the question that frequently arises in the context of equity and energy policy: What is energy justice?
Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool // U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental justice mapping and screening tool that provides demographic, socioeconomic and environmental information for a geographic area.
EPA Grant writing webinar // U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Webinars for those interested in applying for EPA grants or are currently managing an EPA grant.
EPA Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients // U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This online training course is designed to introduce U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant applicants and recipients to key aspects of the entire grant life cycle.
EPA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Landing Page (also known as IIJA)
Information on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
How to Develop a Budget // U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This online training course is designed to introduce U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant applicants and recipients to key aspects of grant budget development.
NEW BIL Resources for Drinking Water
This webpage features resources that can assist states and water systems with the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
NEW BIL Water Technical Assistance Page
Technical assistance to help communities identify drinking water, wastewater and/or stormwater infrastructure needs, plan for capital improvements, build capacity, and apply for a range of eligible projects.
Renewable Energy Project Development Resource Directory // U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Directory of all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency energy project development resources, including case studies, publications, trainings, fact sheets and more.
Subscribe to the EPA Grants Update Listserv // U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Sign up for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant listserv.
Technical Assistance Services to Communities: EPA
This technical assistance helps communities better understand the science, regulations and policies of environmental issues and EPA actions.
Technical Guidance for Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis
Guide to help U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) analysts evaluate potential environmental justice concerns associated with EPA regulatory actions.
Tools to Support Environmental Justice
Tools and other resources to help local communities protect their environment and public health.
Advancing Equitable Workforce Development for Infrastructure Jobs
This guidebook provides an overview of funding included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other key federal funding sources that support workforce development.
Applying for an EDA Grant: A How-To Guide
A how-to guide on applying for grants through the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
BIL Funding for Broadband
Recording of White House webinar providing details on broadband programs within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook.
BIL Funding: How to Use the Guidebook
Recording of White House webinar providing an overview of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Maps Dashboard
Interactive map that illustrates announced Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding in each state.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rural Playbook
Tool to help rural communities understand the available funding for infrastructure provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law State Fact Sheets
State-by-state fact sheets which provide more detailed information about announced Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and projects in each state.
Community Development Finance Institutions
Program that offers tailored resources and innovative programs that invest federal dollars alongside private sector capital into distressed communities.
Data & Mapping // BroadbandUSA
Map that shows information on broadband availability within the United States.
IRA Guidebook
This guidebook provides an overview of the clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, agriculture, and conservation-related tax incentives and investment programs in the Inflation Reduction Act.
NEW FEMA Roadmap to Federal Resources for Disaster Recovery for state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to navigate common challenges in the complex post-disaster funding landscape.
Resource for state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to navigate common challenges in the complex post-disaster funding landscape.
NREL Technical Assistance
Technical assistance programs available through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Relationships First and Always: A Guide to Collaborations with Indigenous Communities
This document outlines recommendations for working with Indigenous communities under the knowledge that relationship building with the communities is first and foremost the foundation upon which all collaborations should be centered.
Resource Hub // Apprenticeship.gov
Resources for apprenticeship including case studies, success stories, guides, fact sheets, and research and data.
Webinar: New NACo Resource for Understanding the BIL: Funding Table for County Governments
Webinar that details the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding opportunities accessible by counties, including details on how to access funding, special eligibility requirements and federal cost share information.
White House Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rural Playbook: A roadmap for delivering opportunity and investments in rural America
Playbook to help rural communities understand the available funding for infrastructure provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
White House Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Technical Assistance Guide
A guide to help make it easier for communities across the country to navigate, access, and deploy Bipartisna Infrastructure Law funding that will build a better America.
Points of Contact
For each participating IWG agency, and relevant departments within that agency
Appalachian Regional Commission: [email protected]
Contact for the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Department of Agriculture: [email protected]
Contact for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Department of Energy: [email protected]
Contact for Regional Specialists in the U.S. Department of Energy.
Department of Health & Human Services: Contacts for Division of Energy Assistance
Contacts for the Division of Energy Assistance at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Department of Homeland Security: [email protected]
Contact for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Department of Transportation: [email protected]
Contact for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Economic Development Directory // U.S. Economic Development Administration
This directory provides links to critical local resources including: U.S. Economic Development Administration regional office contacts, state government contacts, and Economic Development Districts, Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers, Revolving Loan Funds, University Centers, and Tribal planning organization site.
Environmental Protection Agency: State&[email protected]
Contacts for State and Local programs in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Northern Border Regional Commission: [email protected]
Contact for the Northern Border Regional Commission.
Southeast Crescent Regional Commission: [email protected]
Contact for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission.
White House Infrastructure Implementation Team: [email protected]
Contact for the White House Infrastructure Implementation Team.