Federal agencies have begun announcing funding opportunities arising from the $787.2 billion economic stimulus that was signed into law on 17 February. Several of these grants programs may be of interest to public institutions.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will award $50 million in grants to fund projects that focus on the preservation of jobs in the arts. Â Applicants must have received NEA funding in the last four years to be eligible to apply. Â For nonprofit arts organizations, applications are due April 2, 2009. For more information, go to http://www.arts.gov/recovery/.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will award $4.7 billion in grants to establish a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. The program will develop and expand broadband services to rural and underserved areas and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies.  Live video webcasts about the program will take place March 23 and 24.  To access the webcast, go to http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/video.html.  For more information about the program, go to http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/.
The Department of Education will award $44 billion in stimulus funding to state governments in the next 30 to 45 days. Â The first round of funding will help avert hundreds of thousands of estimated teacher layoffs in schools and school districts while driving crucial education improvements, reforms, and results for students. Â For more information, go to http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html.
For information on all agencies distributing funds from the economic stimulus, go to http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/agencies.