News from Representative Deluzio

December Monthly Grants Newsletter

Dear Friend,

As we reflect on the past year, I wanted to share a message of hope this holiday season. Although the Trump Administration has tried to freeze federal funding across the country, my staff and I kept fighting for these federal grants to be released to the good people of PA’s 17th Congressional District. In 2025 alone, we brought back $922,960,839 to our district in grant and contract awards. That’s some much-needed good news!

As I share these grant resources for December, please know that my office is just a call away to talk through any federal funding concerns you may have. My Grants & Outreach Coordinator, Emma Dawson, can be reached at my Carnegie District Office at (412) 344-5583 or PA17Grants@mail.house.gov.  

Very respectfully,

Chris Deluzio
Member of Congress

Celebrating the Good People of PA-17

This month the Office of Congressman Deluzio would like to highlight the 14 Western PA fire departments who have been awarded over $2.8 million in federal funding. This funding was provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via the Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs.

These are highly competitive federal grant programs that allow local fire departments to purchase critical equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources through the AFG program. Congratulations to these 14 local fire departments for their service to the good people in Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District.

To learn more about this PA-17 Grant Highlight, check out the full press release here. To learn more about FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, check out their website page here.

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

Federal Funding

The Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Solid Waste Management Grant Program. This program helps reduce or eliminate water pollution by providing funding for organizations that provide technical assistance or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites. Apply by December 31, 2025.

The National Endowment for the Humanities is accepting applications for the National Digital Newspaper Program to create a national digital resource of historically significant newspapers published between 1690 and 1963, from all the states and U.S. jurisdictions. Apply by January 15, 2026.

The National Science Foundation is accepting applications for the Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program. This program seeks to advance U.S. scientific and economic leadership by building capacity and increasing the number of robust translational research ecosystems in institutions of higher education that span the national. Apply for Track 2 and Track 5 by January 15, 2026.

The Environmental Protection Agency is accepting applications for the FY26 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grant Competition awards. These brownfields grants allow more vacant and abandoned properties to be turned into community assets that can attract jobs and promote economic revitalization in communities. Apply for one of these five brownfield grants by January 28, 2026.

The Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the National Railroad Partnership Program / Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP) Grant. This program provides funding for capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service. Apply by February 6, 2026.

The Department of Health and Human Services is accepting applications for the Examining the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Healthcare Safety (R18) grant program. This research grant supports healthcare safety by determining whether and how certain breakthrough uses of AI systems can affect patient safety and how AI systems can be safely implemented and used. Apply by May 25, 2027.

State and Non-Federal Funding

The PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is accepting applications for the Veterans’ Trust Fund Grant Program. This program is for Veterans’ service organizations to fund programs that address social determinants of health, transportation, and employment. Apply by December 19, 2025.

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is accepting applications for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants for Fighting Wildfires. The goal is to prevent, control and suppress fires that threaten human life, livestock, wildlife, crops, pastures, orchards, woodlands, and farmsteads. Apply by December 31, 2025.

The PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency is accepting applications for the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program. Applicants are eligible for security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility located in the Commonwealth that is owned or operated by the nonprofit organization. Apply by January 12, 2026.

The Mid-America Arts Alliance is accepting applications for the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. This grant aims to enhance the health, well-being, and quality of life for military-connected individuals who have experiences trauma. Apply by January 15, 2026.

The PA Department of Human Services is accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP provides cash grants to help Pennsylvania families pay their heating bills. Apply online from December 3, 2025 to April 10, 2026.

The PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is accepting applications for the Educational Gratuity Program. This program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during periods of war or armed conflict, or children of veterans who die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict. To apply, eligible application should contact the County Director of Veteran Affairs in the county they reside. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Funding Tips and Reminders

Grants.gov offers a Training Resources and Videos webpage for whether you need a high-level introduction to the Grants.gov application process or you are looking for a step-by-step explanation of a particular applicant task.

The US Fire Administration offers a Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services Guide that is free to download at any time.

5 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Grant Fraud or Scams is a community blog post from grants.gov that provides guidance and tips to protect yourself and your organization from scams and fraud. It also provides important contact information and links if you encounter scams or fraud.   

Given that grant programs are fluctuating by agency, Congressman Deluzio and his team highly recommend that you follow relevant agency newsletters and check grants.gov to see what grants are canceled, paused, or may have changed eligibility criteria.    
 
Congressman Deluzio's office will continue to monitor these developments and fight to make sure federal funding keeps flowing to projects that make life better for Western Pennsylvanians. If you are the recipient of a federal grant and have been notified that this funding is no longer available to you or you are experiencing other issues accessing your lawfully appropriated funds, please share your concerns with Congressman Deluzio's office at PA17Grants@mail.house.gov.   

How Rep. Deluzio's Office Can Help

Congressman Deluzio’s office is here to help leaders and communities in Western Pennsylvania navigate the federal grants process. Through our office, you can request a Letter of Support, get help researching federal funding opportunities, or can set up a meeting with Rep. Deluzio's team. For more information, check out the office’s Grants Information webpage and subscribe to this Grants E-Newsletter. If you would like to reach out to the Congressman’s Grants & Outreach Coordinator, Emma Dawson, with a specific inquiry, feel free to email her at PA17Grants@mail.house.gov.   

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