Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Now Open: 2020 Request for Applications

Deadline to Apply - February 26, 2020 (11:59 p.m. ET)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is excited to announce the availability of approximately $44 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) grant funds to support projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of older diesel engines. Under this competition, between 40 and 60 awards are anticipated to be made to eligible applicants.

Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) no later than Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) to be considered for funding.

Visit the DERA web page for more information

Important Dates

Eligible Applicants

The following U.S. entities are eligible to apply for DERA National Grants:

• Regional, state, local or tribal agencies/consortia or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality
• Nonprofit organizations or institutions that represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets or have the promotion of transportation or air quality as their principal purpose.

School districts, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), cities and counties are all eligible entities to the extent that they fall within the definition above.

Eligible Uses of Funding

Eligible diesel vehicles, engines and equipment include:

• School buses
• Class 5 – Class 8 heavy-duty highway vehicles
• Locomotive engines
• Marine engines
• Nonroad engines, equipment or vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo (including at ports or airports), agriculture, mining or energy production (including stationary generators and pumps).

Grant funds may be used for diesel emission reduction projects including:

• EPA verified technologies or certified engine configurations
• California Air Resources Board (CARB) EXIT verified technologies or certified engines
• Idle-reduction technologies that are EPA verified
• Aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires that are EPA verified
• Early engine, vehicle, or equipment replacements with certified engine configurations

Funds awarded under this program cannot be used to fund emission reductions mandated by federal law. Equipment for testing emissions or fueling infrastructure is not eligible for funding.

Please refer to the full RFA for specific information about this competition.

Informational Webinars

2020 DERA National Grants

Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 12 to 1 p.m. CST
Join at: https://meet.lync.com/usepa/swift.faye/TG550JGJ

Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 2 to 3 p.m. CST
Join at: https://meet.lync.com/usepa/swift.faye/GKLCM5S6

Wednesday, January 14, 2019 at 2 to 3 p.m. CST
Join at: https://meet.lync.com/usepa/swift.faye/Q4CD0Z03

Dial-In: (202) 991-0477
Participant Code: 4149804#

Webinar Highlights

• Program Details
• Changes This Year
• Eligible Entities, Projects, Vehicles, Engines & Equipment
• Funding: Availability, Project Funding Percentage, Restrictions
• Proposal Submission
• Evaluation Criteria
• Potential Pitfalls
• Tools, Resources and Support
• Question & Answer Period

If you have questions, please contact [email protected].

Visit the DERA web page for more information