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Grants & Funding
There are multiple ways to fund school bus retrofit and replacement programs. Below is a list of resources that will help identify potential funding.
- EPA Funding Sources
- Other EPA Sources
- Other Federal Funding Sources
- State and Local Funding Sources
- Other Sources of Funding
- Tips for School Districts Seeking Grant Funds
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
EPA Funding Sources
2008
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2008 Clean School Bus Funding
For fiscal year 2008, Congress appropriated funds for the first time under the Energy Policy Act (2005) to help reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines, including those used in school buses. For fiscal year 2008, the total funding available for clean diesel projects nationwide is $49.2 million. School districts, non-profit organizations with an education, air quality or transportation focus, and local/State/Regional/Tribal agencies related to transportation or air quality, are all eligible to apply for funding assistance for clean school bus projects and other diesel emissions projects. Detailed information on funding availability, including eligibility, application materials and Regional Requests for Proposals, can be found on www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/grantfund.htm#cur-opportunity.
2007
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2007 Clean School Bus Funding
In 2007 Congress appropriated funds for EPA and the rest of the federal government with a continuing resolution (H.J.R.20). This meant that $7 million would once again be available for EPA's Clean School Bus program. These funds are for projects designed to retrofit and/or replace older diesel school buses. This year, those funds will be distributed through EPA's regional network. Various EPA Regional offices will issue their own Requests for Applications (RFAs). The regional Requests for Applications will be posted on EPA's web site in late spring and early summer. Most RFAs will be open for approximately 60 days. Eligible applicants are school districts, state and local government programs, federally recognized Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations. Links to these regional RFAs will be posted on this web page as they become available.
- July 2007 - Blue Skyways Collaborative Clean School Bus USA Grant Opportunity
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Blue Skyways Collaborative expects to award $1.36 million this year in grants for school bus diesel-mission reduction projects in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Project proposals will be accepted until September 21, 2007, 5:00 p.m. CDT.
Information on Blue SkyWays Request for Proposals.
Contact: Amy Bhesania (bhesania.amy@epa.gov).
For more information visit Blue Skways Collaborative. - June 2007 - EPA Region 4 and Southeast Diesel Collaborative Offer Funds
In conjunction with the Southeast Diesel Collaborative, EPA is announcing the availability of approximately $680,000 for Clean School Bus projects in EPA Region 4. Deadline for proposal submittal: August 3, 2007.
Information on Region 4 Request for Proposals.
Contact: Alan Powell (powell.alan@epa.gov).
For more information visit Southeast Clean Diesel Collaborative. - June 2007 - West Coast Collaborative Clean School Bus USA Request for Proposals is Available
The West Coast Collaborative is requesting proposals aimed at reducing diesel emissions from school buses operating in the Regions 9 and 10 states. All applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by September 24, 2007, 6:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time. If an applicant cannot submit an electronic application, they must contact the West Coast Collaborative at 206-553-0532 and/or dieselgrants@epa.gov for alternative submission methods. EPA Regions 9 and 10 anticipate awarding approximately $1,379,400 under this announcement.
Information on the West Coast Collaborative Request for Proposals.
Contact: Wayne Elson (elson.wayne@epa.gov).
For more information visit the West Coast Collaborative web site. - June 2007 - Northeast Diesel Collaborative
EPA Regions 1 and 2 announce the availability of approximately $1.7 million for clean diesel projects. Deadline for proposal submittal: July 31, 2007.
Information on the Northeast Request for Proposals.
Contact: Faye Blondin (blondin.faye@epa.gov).
For more information visit the Northeast Diesel Collaborative web site. - May 2007 - Mid-Atlantic Diesel Collaborative
EPA Region 3 announces the availability of approximately $680,000 in federal funds for projects that reduce diesel emissions. A 5% cost-share is required. Deadline for submittal: June 26, 2007.
Information on the Region 3 Request for Proposals.
Contact: Bill Jones (jones.bill@epa.gov).
For more information visit the Mid-Atlantic Diesel Collaborative. - April 2007 - Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative
EPA Region 5 announces the availability of approximately $690,000 in federal funds for projects that reduce diesel emissions. A 5% cost-share is required. Projects will take place in the States of Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio and Michigan. Deadline for submittal: June 22, 2007.
Information on the Region 5 Request for Proposals.
Contact: Julie Henning (henning.julie@epa.gov).
For more information visit the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative.
- July 2007 - Blue Skyways Collaborative Clean School Bus USA Grant Opportunity
2006
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September 2006 - Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative Announces Grant Competition
EPA Region 8, as part of the Rocky Mountain Diesel Collaborative, announces the availability of approximately $515,000 dollars in federal funds for projects that reduce diesel emissions. Deadline for submittal: November 30, 2006.
- Information on the Request for Proposals is on the Region 8 web site
- Contact: Jeffrey Kimes (kimes.jeffrey@epa.gov).
- For more information, visit the Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative.
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June 2006 - Regions 6 & 7 Blue Skyways Collaborative Clean School Bus Grant Competition
EPA Regions 6 and 7 as part of the Blue Skyways Collaborative is soliciting grant applications to assist school districts in their efforts to reduce pollution from diesel powered school buses through the use of EPA verified or certified, or California Air Resources Board (CARB)- verified, pollution reduction technology. EPA Regions 6 & 7 anticipates awarding approximately $1.14 million under this announcement with approximately 6 to 22 awards expected to be made averaging between $50,000 to $200,000. Deadline for submittal: September 26, 2006.
- Information on the Request for Proposals is on www.grants.gov.
- Contact: Alan Banwart (banwart.alan@epa.gov).
- For more information, visit the Blue Skyways Collaborative.
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May 2006 - Northeast Diesel Collaborative Announces Grant Competition
EPA Regions 1 and 2, as part of the Northeast Diesel Collaborative, are announcing the availability of approximately $1.5 million dollars in federal funds for projects that reduce diesel emissions. Submittal Date: June 29, 2006.
- EPA's Press Release on the Northeast Clean Diesel Grant Competition
- Contact: Halida Hatic (hatic.halida@epa.gov)
- Visit the Northeast Diesel Collaborative
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April 2006 - Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative Announces Two Grant Competitions
The Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative is announcing the availability of almost $1 million in funds for two (2) separate grant programs for 2006. These Request for Proposal Announcements are for projects that focus on reducing diesel emissions from the existing fleet of engines. Submittal Date: June 16, 2006.
- Information on the Request for Proposals is on the Region 5 web site
- EPA's Press Release on the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative Grants
- Contact: Sharleen Getschman (getschman.sharleen@epa.gov)
- For information visit the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative.
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2006 Clean School Bus Funding
In 2006, Congress appropriated $7 million for EPA's Clean School Bus program for projects designed to retrofit and/or replace older diesel school buses. This year, those funds will be distributed through EPA's regional network. Various EPA Regional offices will issue their own Requests for Applications (RFAs). The regional Requests for Applications will be posted on EPA's web site in late spring and early summer. Most RFAs will be open for approximately 60 days. Eligible applicants are school districts, state and local government programs, federally recognized Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations. Links to these regional RFAs will be posted on the Clean School Bus USA program home page as they become available.
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February 20, 2006 - Announcement of 2005 Clean School Bus USA Grants
On February 20, 2006, EPA announced the award of $7.5 million to 37 school districts around the nation for projects designed to lower diesel emissions in school bus fleets. The projects will replace older diesel school buses with new, less-polluting models and retrofit others with emissions control technology and cleaner fuels.
- Additional information on the 2005 Clean School Bus Grants is at the Demonstration Projects web page.
- Additional information on retrofitting diesel engines can be found at the Retrofit site.
- Contact: Jennifer Keller (keller.jennifer@epa.gov), phone (202) 343-9541.
2005
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2005 Clean School Bus USA Program Funding
Congress allocated $7.5 million for fiscal year 2005 for the Clean School Bus USA program for a cost-shared grant program to school districts to upgrade their diesel fleets. Thirty-seven projects across the nation were chosen for funding.
2004
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2004 Clean School Bus USA Demonstration Grants
Building on the 2003 Clean School Bus USA demonstration grants program, Congress again allocated $5 million for school bus retrofit and replacement grants in 2004. EPA announced the selection of 20 projects for funding in June, 2004.
2003
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2003 Clean School Bus USA Demonstration Grants
To support EPA's efforts to reduce pollution from school buses, Congress allocated $5 million for a cost-shared grant program designed to assist school districts in upgrading their bus fleets. Seventeen demonstration projects were selected for funding.
Other EPA Sources
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EPA's Smart Growth Program - Funding Sources
(Maintained by EPA's Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation)
The Smart Growth Program is an alternative to sprawl and urban decay, and is an innovative approach to addressing EPA's environmental mandates. The goal of smart growth is to work with communities, businesses, industry, state and local officials and others to shape land use and growth so that it has minimum impact on environmental, economic, and community health. There are some grant programs that may support school bus projects: -
EPA Performance Partnership Grants
(Maintained by EPA's Office of Regional Operations and State/Local Relations)
Performance Partnership Grants (PPG) are multi-program grants made to state or tribal agencies of EPA funds allocated for categorical grant programs. They are non-regulatory and provide States and Tribes the option to combine funds from two or more categorical grants. Under regulatory authority (since 1996) this policy covers sixteen program grants (including air pollution control). They are funded from EPA's State and Tribal Assistance Grants appropriation. -
EPA Program Grants (Guidance)
(Maintained by EPA's Grants Administration Division, Region 5, and Purdue University)
In addition to defining Federal grants, this site provides a table of actual use of EPA grants administered. Historically, EPA has funded both state and local programs in all environmental media. A number of grants are targeted towards research and demonstration projects, while others support various program activities.
Other Federal Funding Sources
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Government-wide grants information and resources
(Maintained by the US Federal Highway Administration)
Comprehensive Web site with information about finding and applying for all federal grant programs. -
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ)
(Maintained by the US Federal Highway Administration)
The primary purpose of the CMAQ program is to fund projects and programs in areas with air quality programs which reduce transportation-related emissions. This listing provides a variety of CMAQ information in your area which may include your city or state's CMAQ budget, on-going or potential CMAQ projects, CMAQ grant funding agencies and contacts. Look to this site for ideas in implementing retrofit projects and funding information. Simply select any state to obtain its CMAQ information. (Note: This may not be the most current budget information. Please contact the State office for budget update if available.) -
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(Maintained by the US Federal Highway Administration)
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) authorizes expenditures of $218 billion from 1998 to 2003 to fund the development and maintenance of the nation's transportation infrastructure, while protecting the environment and enhancing economic growth. The largest public works program ever authorized, it is having a significant impact on the air quality programs and issues being addressed by the EPA, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and state and local agencies. EPA also has more information in Air Quality Opportunities in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) (PDF). (3 pp, 14K, EPA400-F-99-001, Feb. 1999) -
Clean Fuels Formula Grants
(Maintained by the US Federal Transit Administration)
The Clean Fuels Formula Grant program is a new formula grant program created by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) intended to assist non-attainment and maintenance areas in achieving or maintaining attainment status. Under the program, maintenance and non-attainment areas, as defined by the EPA, can apply for funds to acquire clean fuel vehicles, to re-power or retrofit engines for clean fuels operation, and to construct or improve facilities to support these vehicles. The legislation defines clean fuel vehicles as those powered by compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, biodiesel fuels, batteries, alcohol-based fuels, hybrid electric, fuel cell and clean diesel, and other low or zero emissions technology that sufficiently reduces harmful emissions. -
Catalog of All Federal Domestic Assistance
(Maintained by the US Department of Health and Human Services)
The Catalog of all Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is a government-wide compendium of all 1,425 Federal programs, projects, services, and activities that provide assistance or benefits to the American public and is available from the General Services Administration. -
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: Air Pollution Control Program Support
This listing of air pollution controls funding programs is provided to assist State, Tribal, Municipal, Inter-municipal, and Interstate agencies in planning, developing, establishing, improving, and maintaining adequate programs for prevention and control of air pollution or implementation of national primary and secondary air quality standards.
State and Local Funding Sources
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Carl Moyer Clean Engine Incentive Program
(California only) (Maintained by the California Air Resources Board)
The Carl Moyer Program is administered by the California Environmental Protection Agency's Air Resources Board (ARB). Funds are distributed through local air districts. Incentives, in the form of grants for private companies or public agencies operating heavy-duty engines in California, will cover an incremental portion of the cost of cleaner on-road, nonroad, marine and locomotive engines. -
Oregon Non-point Source Pollution Control Facilities Tax Credit
(Maintained by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality)
The State of Oregon offers a tax credit for Oregon taxpayers who purchase a "pollution control facility" (includes any equipment or device) used to reduce or control air pollution. The tax credit applies to retrofit technologies verified by the EPA's Retrofit Diesel Program. Information about the application procedures, fees, and assessment of cost can be found following this link to Oregon's Pollution Control Facilities Tax Credit Program. -
Dallas, Texas Adopt-a-School Bus Dallas
This is a cooperative partnership between the American Lung Association, EPA, State Agencies, local elected officials, and corporate sponsors was established as a nonprofit grant program to aid local school districts replacing their aging, diesel school bus fleets with new "clean fuel" buses. The program is administered by an independent Steering Committee and operates under the auspices of the American Lung Association.
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Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP)
(Maintained by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission)
The Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP), is a comprehensive set of incentive programs aimed at improving air quality in Texas. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality administers TERP grants and other financial TERP incentives. Additional financial incentive and assistance programs are administered by other state agencies. The TERP was not funded in 2002.
Other Sources of Funding
- In addition to the sources listed above, some school bus retrofit programs have been funded through state-negotiated settlements in legal actions against companies that violated state environmental laws. Please contact your state environmental agency about the possibility of receiving money resulting from an enforcement action.
- Toyota Motor Corporation has announced
plans to provide financial assistance to school districts
interested in retrofitting school buses and purchasing ultra-low
sulfur diesel fuel. Parties interested in these retrofits
may contact Toyota and obtain more information by calling
703-934-3040 or going to Toyota's Clean Buses for Kids.
Tips for School Districts Seeking Grant Funds
- Notify us of your interest so we can contact you when new information or funding becomes available. Please call 734-214-4780 or e-mail: Clean School Bus USA (CleanSchoolBusUSA@epa.gov).
- Begin preparing now for future opportunities:
- Browse the Clean School Bus USA web site to familiarize yourself with the range of options for reducing school bus pollution
- Check the federal government's comprehensive grants web site for information about applying for federal grant programs.
- Assess the school bus fleet(s) you wish to upgrade by compiling information about vehicle and engine models, ages, annual mileage, and so on.
- Identify local resources that could be used to satisfy matching fund requirements.
- Take action now by implementing no cost or low cost practices that reduce emissions and exposure to diesel exhaust. See the Clean School Bus Anti-idling page.