MCME program

The MCME program supports fundamental research leading to improved machines and applications for both manufacturing and construction. Key goals are to advance the transition of these industries from skill-based to knowledge-based activities and to develop them as activities with minimal environmental and societal impact. To accomplish these goals the program emphasizes research leading to a fundamental understanding of the relevant physical processes resulting in better predictive models and improved manufacturing and construction decision making. The program also supports research on solid freeform fabrication encompassing scales from microns to meters (nanometer scale additive manufacturing is supported under the Nanomanufacturing program).

Link to Full Announcement

NSF Program Desccription 10-1468

Aprons in Action program

The Home Depot Foundation has announced the launch of a $1 million online giving contest on Facebook.

Through the Aprons in Action program, Facebook users can vote to determine where the foundation's charitable dollars and volunteer hours will be donated over the next year. Each month, the Aprons in Action page will feature four community improvement projects completed by Team Depot — the company's employee-led volunteer force that donates hours, tools, and supplies to community service projects — and a local nonprofit.

The project with the most votes by noon on the first day of the next month will receive a $25,000 Home Depot gift card, while each participating project receives a $5,000 Home Depot gift card. After eleven months, each monthly winner will be featured again, and the project that receives the most votes at the end of that round will receive a $250,000 grant. Runners-up will receive grants of $150,000 and $100,000.

"Our Aprons in Action Facebook program lets us connect our volunteer efforts with the entire online community," said Home Depot Foundation president Kelly Caffarelli. "We're excited not only about highlighting our associates' work but also the work of the great nonprofits we partner with to complete projects in communities across the United States."

“The Home Depot Foundation to Donate $1 Million Through Facebook Crowdsourcing Program.” Home Depot Foundation Press Release 4/01/11.

OSHA online training

The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) seeks to ensure high quality online OSHA Outreach
Training Program training courses for all participants. This notice
announces the opportunity for interested organizations to submit
applications to be authorized to deliver 10-hour and/or 30-hour OSHA
Outreach Training Program courses in the construction industry, general
industry, and maritime industry in an online format. Current OSHA-
authorized online training providers must submit an application in
order to be considered to offer online Outreach Training Program
courses. Past performance will be considered as a factor in the
selection process. Applications will only be accepted during the
solicitation period and will be rated on a competitive basis. Complete
application instructions are contained in this notice.

The proposal conference is intended to provide potential applicants
with information about the OSHA Outreach Training Program, OSHA
expectations for online trainers, online courses and methods of
instruction, and administrative and program requirements for OSHA
Outreach Training Program online trainers. The OSHA Directorate of
Training and Education will hold one proposal conference.
   The proposal conference is scheduled for April 19, 2011, at the
OSHA Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights
Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102.
   It is necessary for attendees to register for this proposal
conference. Applicants interested in attending this conference may
contact Don Guerra, Program Analyst, or Jim Barnes, Director, Office of
Training and Educational Programs, OSHA Directorate of Training and
Education, 2020 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois
60005-4102, telephone (847) 759-7700.

Weatherization

WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that states and territories across the country have now weatherized more than 300,000 low-income homes under the Recovery Act, a major milestone in the Department's efforts to reduce home energy bills for families. This means that states are now more than 50 percent of the way toward meeting President Obama's goal of weatherizing approximately 600,000 homes under the Recovery Act. The weatherization program is helping families save money on their energy bills by improving home energy efficiency with upgrades like insulation, air-sealing, and more efficient heating and cooling systems. The program has also trained a new generation of clean energy workers and is employing more than 15,000 workers nationwide.

"Today marks a major milestone for the weatherization program and shows once again that we are on pace to meet the goals of the Recovery Act. This program has already benefitted 300,000 low-income families and put thousands of people to work," said Secretary Chu. "Through the weatherization program, we are laying the groundwork for a broader efficiency industry in the U.S. that will help grow our economy while saving money for American families."

Through November, the network of state offices, local agencies, and weatherization providers has completed 300,000 homes. Of the total, more than 100,000 have been completed in just the last four months, showing the dramatically accelerated pace of weatherization under the program. A state-by-state breakdown of the homes weatherized through November is available on the Energy Efficiency Pillar page.

Weatherization assistance reduces energy consumption for low-income families on average 35 percent, saving families on average more than $400 on their heating and cool bills in the first year alone. Nationwide, the weatherization of 300,000 homes is estimated to save $161 million in energy costs in just the first year.

DOE has worked closely with state and local governments to ensure the program is well-managed, responsive, and flexible. Nearly all of the states and territories involved in the program have met the milestone of weatherizing more than 30 percent of their targeted number of homes and many have completed more than half of their goals to date.

Read more information on the Weatherization Assistance Program.

The effects of housing on employment report

[From Be Spacific]

The U.S. housing bubble and bust: impacts on employment, Kathryn J. Byun, an economist in the Division of Industry Employment Projections, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics "Employment Projections Program data are used to estimate employment impacts due to the recent housing market cycle, and alternative “nonbubble” demand scenarios indicate that at the peak of the bubble, in 2005, approximately 1.2 million to 1.7 million residential-construction-related jobs were attributable to “bubble-related demand."

Green Communities Initiative Announces Grant Guidelines

The Green Communities Initiative is a five-year, $550 million initiative to build more than 8,500 homes across the United States that provide significant health, economic, and environmental benefits to low-income families and communities. The effort is a partnership of the Enterprise Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council, in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects, the American Planning Association, and leading corporate, financial, and philanthropic organizations.

The initiative will offer financing, grants, and technical assistance to developers to build affordable housing that promotes health, conserves energy and natural resources, and provides easy access to jobs, schools, and services.

Grants will help cover the costs of planning and implement- ing green components of affordable housing projects, as well as tracking their costs and benefits.

A minimum of $1 million in grant funds is available to participants. Individual grant amounts will range between $15,000 and $50,000.

The grant competition is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public housing authorities and tribally designated housing entities. For-profit entities may participate through joint ventures with qualified organizations.

See the Enterprise Foundation Web site for complete infor- mation, grant guidelines and application instructions, and an FAQ.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Home Depot: $30M Green Building initiative

[From Philanthropy News Digest]

The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity International have announced the 2010-11 grant recipients of the Partners in Sustainable Building program, a five-year, $30 million green building initiative designed to incorporate sustainable building practices into five thousand homes nationwide.

More than 135 Habitat affiliates across forty-two states will receive a $3,000 grant for each home built that meets Energy Star standards and up to $5,000 for each one built to a higher green standard. Over the next year, the grantees are expected to build 2,400 homes.

To date, participating affiliates have certified nearly fifteen hundred homes nationwide. By incorporating sustainable practices and using energy-efficient, durable materials in the construction process, many of the homes achieved green building certification with little additional cost, while owners of the homes have reported lower utility bills and noticeable health benefits.

“Habitat for Humanity International and the Home Depot Foundation Announce 2010 'Partners in Sustainable Building' Program Grantees.” Home Depot Foundation Press Release 9/08/10.