Grant Application Bootcamp
Grant Application Bootcamp
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided cities with unprecedented opportunities to apply directly for federal funding, but some cities and towns have fewer resources and staff, impeding their ability to bid effectively. Through the Local Infrastructure Hub, small and mid-sized municipalities can receive an expert suite of supports to develop strong, competitive grant applications through pro-bono technical training and grant-writing Bootcamps. Over the past five Bootcamp series, the Local Infrastructure Hub has supported over 700 cities with 150,000 residents or fewer navigate the federal grant writing process, and is working with more than 1,200 localities overall across all of its program offerings, including virtual webinars and learning opportunities available for cities of any size.
New Bootcamp Offerings
Now with five bootcamp phases complete, the Local Infrastructure Hub will be hosting a new set of bootcamps beginning Spring 2024 focused on different funding opportunities made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. These bootcamps are open for registration and will run through Spring 2024. Select one of the following to learn more and register!
Bridge Investment Program
Provides funding to improve existing bridges in poor condition or at risk of falling into poor condition and to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges.
Brownfields Program
Designed to help brownfields return to productive use and to train residents for brownfields jobs. This Bootcamp will offer support for cleanup grants and multipurpose grants for a range of eligible assessment and cleanup activities at one or more brownfield sites in a target area.
Railroad Crossing Elimination / Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements
Both grants support highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects, promoting safety and mobility for people and goods.
Reconnecting Communities & Neighborhoods
Established to remove surface transportation structures to increase connectivity in disadvantaged or underserved communities. The program also supports related planning and capacity-building activities in these communities.
The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Program
This program will help municipalities improve management and infrastructure systems for recyclable materials. The program also aims to enhance local recycling programs and assist local authorities in upgrading their waste management systems. As part of the National Recycling Strategy, this grant program is key to advancing a national municipal solid waste recycling system.
Bootcamp Testimonials
Bootcamp Testimonials
Activities and Resources
In addition to live learning sessions, participants will receive access to templates, example submissions, and other supports. During the Bootcamps, the Local Infrastructure Hub will also provide participants with access to subject-matter experts, data resources, office hours, individualized coaching sessions, and peer-to-peer learning to engage with experts and other applicants from peer cities going through the same program.
These Bootcamps will provide communities with the tools and guidance they need to build a robust, competitive federal grant application.
Longform from National League of Cities on Vimeo.
Frequently Asked Questions
If my city participates, what can we expect to learn?
Each bootcamp is designed to support cities in navigating the grant application process and strengthening applications, through peer learning, office hours and coaching opportunities.
Each bootcamp is comprised of eight modules tailored to a specific type of grant. While the specifics of each bootcamp will vary, here is a general outline of the eight modules:
- Setting the Table: Cities will be assigned to peer cohorts and will be guided through the process of how to complete an asset map for their community.
- Engaging the Community: Using the asset map, cities will learn and refine how they build and execute a community engagement strategy.
- Data Driven Decision Making: Cities will learn how to utilize data to understand problems, test and define solutions, ground applications in data, and ensure their grant applications will achieve the desired outcome/s.
- Demystifying Capital Stacks and Budgeting: Participants will learn how to refine and assemble a complex capital stack and budget for grant applications.
- Federal Administration Priorities: Participants will be provided guidance on how to align their grant application with broader federal priorities.
- Writing a Strong Grant Narrative: Cities will be provided with templates and guidance on how to write winning grant applications that are tailored to the metrics and policy priorities behind specific grant opportunities.
- Package, Submit, and Tell Your Story: Cities will receive help navigating the grant submission process and work with their chief executive on how to plan for post-submission advocacy and communications.
- Long Term Capacity Building: Cities will develop plans for compliance, communicating with the public about the transformational impact of the project, and organizing to attract future investments.
Who will participate in the bootcamps and what is the expected time commitment?
Participating cities will be asked to identify a small team to engage in the bootcamp.
A team would ideally include:
- A Mayor or Chief Executive: The Chief Executive will participate in select modules to set goals, review the overall impact of draft grant applications, and implement long term capacity building measures. The expected time commitment for this role is approximately 3 hours total over the approximately 4-month bootcamp duration.
- A Grant Lead: The grant lead participates in all modules and is the primary point of contact for the city’s team. The expected time commitment for this role is approximately 8 – 25 hours total throughout the approximately 4-month bootcamp duration.
- A Community Engagement Lead: The community engagement lead participates in selective modules to help design community engagement strategies. The expected time commitment for this role is approximately 4-10 hours total over the approximately 4-month bootcamp duration.
- A Finance Lead: The Finance Lead participates in the budget and capital stacks module. The expected time commitment for this role is approximately 2-6 hours total over the approximately 4-month bootcamp duration.
While the team configuration outlined here is representative of the typical team, depending on the city, the roles may be different (ex. a relevant expert such as the head of the public works department may be included). In some cities, a single person may also occupy multiple roles.
Is there a cost to cities for participating?
There is no cost for cities selected to participate in the program.
After my city registers for the program, what are the next steps?
After registering, eligible cities will be contacted to schedule a 30-minute Readiness Call, where we can learn more about city capacity. Depending on the results of the call, a pre-bootcamp module may be added to help get the city ready for the bootcamp.
What bootcamps will be offered in the future?
Over the next two years, there will be at least 30 bootcamps corresponding with select grant programs. To date, bootcamps that fall into the following categories have been identified:
Broadband
- Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program
- Middle Mile Grants Program
- Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
- State Digital Equity Competitive Grant
Water
- Clean Water State Revolving Funds (x2: Traditional; Emerging Contaminants)
- Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (x3: Traditional, Emerging Contaminants; Lead Service Lines Replacement)
Roads, Bridges, and Major Projects
- Local and Regional Project Assistance Grants (RAISE)
- State Incentives Pilot Program
- Bridge Investment Program
- Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program
- Reconnecting Communities
Passenger and Freight Rails
- Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Grants
- Railroad Crossing Elimination Program
Resilience
- Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
- Flood Mitigation Assistance Grants
- Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT)
- Wildfire
Safety
- Safe Streets and Roads for All
Electric Vehicles, Buses and Ferries
- Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants (Corridor Charging)
- Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants (Community Charging)
- Clean School Bus Program
- Low or No Emission (Bus) Grants
Environmental Remediation
- Brownfields Projects
Public Transportation
- Pilot Program for Transit Oriented Development
- Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants
Clean Energy and Power
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
- Energy Improvement in Rural and Remote Areas
Other
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Education and Outreach Grants
Can I participate in partnership with another city or with a group of neighboring municipalities?
Yes. Cities intending to partner together to apply for a grant may register as a coalition, although your city coalition will need to designate a dedicated point of contact and grant team that will participate.
Are all of the modules required?
We recommend that cities participate in all modules as they are designed to provide comprehensive support across each key area of the featured grant applications. While the learning and coaching sessions will cover the primary learning outcomes, cities will also have the opportunity to engage in optional office hours as needed. Bootcamp modules will be taught live in a virtual environment; while sessions that are missed may be viewed later via recording, participants are encouraged to participate during the live sessions.
Can my city enroll in multiple bootcamps?
Yes, although because of the intensive nature of the bootcamps, if a city wishes to enroll in multiple bootcamps, each team will need to include a different set of individuals. If a city does not have multiple bootcamp teams, they may still access a range of self-guided tools and templates for any additional programs they are interested in outside of the primary live bootcamp they are enrolled in. They may also access materials available on the resources page.
My city's population is above 150,000. What resources does the Local Infrastructure Hub offer for large cities?
Cities with populations above 150,000 are encouraged to participate in the Local Infrastructure Hub’s other offerings, which includes webinars and tools to help cities understand how to better leverage upcoming federal funding. You can learn more about upcoming events here and access the Opportunity Finder to learn more about programs that meet your communities’ priorities. Key resources from the bootcamps will also be shared publicly on the Local Infrastructure Hub resources page when available.
Will someone write my grant or will a grant writer be assigned to my city?
No, the Local Infrastructure Hub will not offer direct grant writing services. However, the bootcamps are designed to provide targeted support to city teams as they complete their application. Cities will be able to access a range of resources including access to subject matter experts in the event they have specific questions about their applications.