2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Grant Program

Background
The 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Grant Program is being offered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to replace existing school buses with low and zero-emission (ZE) school buses. The program aims to improve air quality, engage stakeholders, promote cost parity between bus technologies, and ensure a broad geographic distribution of awards.

Grant Details
The grant program includes two sub-programs: the School District Sub-program for school district and Tribal applicants, and the Third-Party Sub-program for third-party applicants. Eligible activities include replacing buses that serve high-need local educational agencies, rural school districts, Bureau of Indian Affairs-funded school districts, and school districts receiving basic support payments for children who reside on Indian land. Priority will be given to applicants that leverage additional external funds to support the proposed project activities.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible entities include public school districts, Tribal applicants, nonprofit school transportation associations, and eligible contractors. Applicants must apply under the appropriate sub-program based on their entity type. No cost sharing or matching is required, but additional evaluation points will be awarded for leveraging external funds.

Period of Performance
The estimated project period for awards resulting from this solicitation will be up to 24 months, with initial project periods of up to 36 months allowed where justified by the activities. The estimated project period of performance start date for awards will begin starting April 1, 2024.

Grant Value
EPA anticipates awarding approximately $400 million in CSB funding under this NOFO. Funding awards are dependent on the bus fuel type, bus class size, number of buses being replaced, and prioritization status.