CFA FAQs

As part of the Governor’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative, the CFA is a modern and easy-to-use online application for accessing state resources currently available from multiple New York State agencies and authorities. The CFA allows applicants to access multiple State funding sources through one application. Application materials can be accessed through regionalcouncils.ny.gov

The CFA is a more efficient and effective process for applicants to access economic and community development funding. Prior to 2011, applicants had to navigate multiple agencies and applications without any mechanism for coordination. Under this process, the CFA serves as the single entry point for access to economic and community development funding. A CFA can be submitted for single or multiple sources of funding through one application, making it quicker and easier for economic development projects to receive funding.

An applicant can submit the CFA via a secure, web-based application for the following projects:

• Direct Assistance to Businesses and Other Organizations
• Community Development
• Waterfront Revitalization
• Energy
• Environmental Improvements
• Sustainability Planning and Implementation
• Education/Workforce Development
• Low-Cost Financing

Yes. Many changes have been made to make navigating through the process of filling out an application easier.

To maximize participation in the process and ensure high-quality applications, public workshops will be held to explain the programs and eligibility standards, as well as improvements to the application process.

Any project may be submitted for consideration through the CFA (by clicking the Consolidated Funding Application tab at: https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/). The project will be submitted to the appropriate workgroup for review and recommendation by the full Council. The Application will be forwarded to the appropriate agency for technical review and scoring.

These applicants should reach out directly to their Regional Council through the appropriate email address below. A staff person from the Regional Council can help an applicant apply. For additional questions related to the application, the applicant should reach out through the same email address.

Capital Region: [email protected]

Central New York: [email protected]

Finger Lakes: [email protected]

Long Island: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/long-island

Mid-Hudson: [email protected]

Mohawk Valley: [email protected]

New York City: [email protected]

North Country: [email protected]

Southern Tier: [email protected]

Western New York: [email protected]

The CFA solicitation will be open for 89 days – from May 1 until the application due date of 4:00PM July 28. Final attachments related to program specific requirements should be uploaded on the system; where hardcopies are specifically required by a funding agency. Scoring by the appropriate Regional Councils and agencies is expected to be finalized by October 2.

Once the CFA is submitted by the applicant, it is reviewed and ranked by the appropriate Regional Council(s) in relation to how it will assist in implementing the strategic plan. The agencies that administer the program will exercise due diligence to determine relevant legal issues and potential disqualifying concerns, and assign a technical score to the CFA.

Applicants can reapply for funding for projects not funded in the past if the program is still available. Applicants are encouraged to consult their Regional Council strategic plan to enhance project proposals to best implement the Regional Council strategic plan.

Yes, there are numerous opportunities to address the Regional Council in your area. In addition to the public meetings that the general public may participate in, each Council holds public forums throughout their region to both inform and listen to what people have to say. Contact the ESD Regional office in your area for more information. This contact information can be found at http://esd.ny.gov/why-new-york-state by clicking your region on the map.

Yes, all application materials must be uploaded to the system by 4pm on July 28th.

No, all applications are due by 4pm on July 28th. However, some programs in the CFA have a rolling deadline, meaning they will continue to accept applications post-July 28th and until all funds have been awarded. For more information, please see the Available Resources document available on regionalcouncils.ny.gov

All awards from previous rounds are posted on the Regional Council webpage.

Eleven State agencies have made funding available through the CFA process, including: Empire State Development; NYS Canal Corporation; NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); Environmental Facilities Corporation; Homes and Community Renewal; New York Power Authority; Department of Labor; Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Department of State; Department of Environmental Conservation; NYS Council on the Arts; and Department of Agriculture & Markets.

Over $800 million in State resources will be accessible through the CFA to support the implementation of the priorities identified in each of the Regional Councils’ strategic plans.

Approximate resources currently available through the Consolidated Funding Application process include:

• Direct Assistance to Business and Other Organizations: up to $247.25 million

Empire State Development

Up to $150 million for ESD Grant Funds

Up to $75 million for Excelsior Jobs Program

Up to $1.25 million for Innovation Hot Spot Program

Up to $1 million for Strategic Planning and Feasibility Studies

Up to $15 million for Market New York

NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

Up to $5 million for New York State Grown and Certified Agricultural Producers’ Grant Program

• Community Development: up to $73.1 million

NYS Council on the Arts

Up to $5 million for Arts, Culture, and Heritage Projects

Up to $20 million for NYSCA/ESD Arts & Cultural Facilities Improvement Program

Homes and Community Renewal

Up to $20 million for NYS Community Development Block Grant Program

Up to $6.2 million for New York Main Street Program

Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation

Up to $20 million for Environmental Protection Fund Grants

Up to $1.9 million for Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

• Waterfront Revitalization: up to $16.2 million

Department of State

Up to $15.2 million for the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

Canal Corporation

Up to $1million for the Canalway Grants Program

• Energy: up to $40 million

NYS Energy Research and Development Authority

Up to $40 million for Energy Efficiency Programs

New York State Power Authority

Up to 157MW for ReCharge New York

• Environmental Improvements: up to $105 million

Department of Environmental Conservation

Up to 3 million for NYS DEC/EFC Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant Program

Up to $87 million for the Water Quality Improvement Project Program

Environmental Facilities Corporation

Up to $15 million for the Green Innovation Grant Program

• Sustainability Planning and Implementation: up to $14 million

Department of Environmental Conservation

Up to $10 million for the Climate Smart Communities Program

Department of State

Up to $4 million for Local Government Efficiency Grants

• Education/Workforce Development: up to $5 million

Department of Labor

Up to $5 million for Workforce Development

• Low-Cost Financing: Up to $300 million

​​​​​​​Empire State Development

Up to $300 million for Industrial Development Bond (IDB) Cap

On the CFA home page, several documents are posted, detailing how to use the CFA and outlining the available CFA resources. These documents provide applicants with information about the application as well as programmatic detail for each resource that is a part of the CFA process. There are also recorded webinars on the CFA website describing the programs and their eligibility requirements.

Regional Councils are about making State government work better for businesses to create an environment that will put New Yorkers back to work. Each Council is staffed by representatives from a broad spectrum of State agencies who will help identify priority projects and potential funding sources within their agencies and then directly assist applicants throughout every step of the process.

If a project is not eligible for funding through the CFA process, contact your Regional Office through the email address listed in the previous question. State agency staff will work with the Regional Council to identify potential funding sources and/or assistance when a non-eligible project is deemed a priority.

The CFA is the primary portal for economic development resources. However, there is other funding that is not included in the CFA from a variety of programs and state agencies.

A token is what applicants use as their password for the CFA system.

After clicking “Register New Application” at apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/register.cfm, you will be asked for your email address, organization name, and project alias name. After filling in this required information and answering the security question (ex. 3+5=) your token will be displayed on the screen. Print or note your token somewhere safe as you will need it to sign in and access your project later.

After you register, you will receive an email from [email protected]. It will contain your application number and a link to activate your account. You should save a copy of this email and keep it with your sign in information. When you click on the activation link, in your email, a registration confirmation will open up in your browser. To enter your application, click on the login button and enter your email address and token number.

Yes. You can access your application from previous rounds by logging in using the token assigned to you during that round. If you have lost or forgotten your token, you can retrieve it by calling the Customer Care Center at 518-474-4487. Please note that you can only view and/or print your old application. You must fill out a new application to be eligible for the current round.

Yes. You have the option to create a new application that will be associated with an already registered profile. The e-mail address and token you use to log in will remain the same and you will have the option to start a new application or you can start a new profile by registering a new e-mail address.

Yes, you need to reapply through the CFA and obtain a new CFA number and token.

The contract will be with the applicant, not the consultant.

Yes, the application automatically saves as you complete it and allows you to log in and out as long as you have your login email and token

An advantage of the Consolidated Funding Application is to combine applications from multiple state agencies in one location to avoid duplication as much as possible. Given the complexity of the funding available, there may be some similarities between program questions if the project is eligible for multiple funding streams.

Yes. The files must be in PDF, JPG or ZIP format and cannot be larger than 10 MB in size. You may combine multiple PDF files into a single .ZIP file if necessary. Avoid using special characters like *,%,#,:,; in your document name as this will cause errors in the upload. If an attachment question requires more than one document, you must create a single PDF or JPG file that contains all the required documents or a ZIP file that contains the required documents in PDF or JPG format.

All workshop materials are online at  http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov

Yes, projects can be submitted during any phase. However, please note that project readiness is a key component of evaluations by the Regional Councils and applicable agencies.

Yes, projects can apply to future expenditures.

Regional Council award winners will have language in their contracts that outlines specific commitments to achieving goals for MWBE participation. The awardee commits to these guidelines when they execute the contract. For a list of the registered MWBEs, please visit the following link http://esd.ny.gov/MWBE.html

Specific agency requirements will be included in contracts with projects that are awarded CFA resources.

Yes. Each project will need to be registered and applied for separately. That is, each project will need to have its own CFA and application number.

This is dependent on the agency and funding program through which funds are requested from. Projects that leverage funding from other sources will be viewed favorably.

Yes, there can be statewide projects in the CFA. When completing the application, you will need to select all regions.

Every agency’s program presentation has contact information included. These presentations can also be found on the CFA Workshops webpage. Additionally, there is contact information for CFA program questions in the application itself. Click the “Help” tab for more information.

You will have separate budget lines for each program requiring budget information.

The CFA and other online resources are very user-friendly, but applicants are encouraged to make contact with agency staff when necessary.

The agencies use their own scoring techniques and assign points to eligible projects using criteria contained in the Available CFA Resources document. The score incorporates the individual program’s technical scoring requirements based on the program requirements. The agency’s technical score, worth up to 80% of the total score, will be combined with the Regional Council scoring of up to 20% of the total score.

Each Regional Council will assign a score for CFA projects based on the degree to which the application implements the regional strategic plan, as follows:

Although job creation is a very important criterion, it is not the only one. Other factors, such as the project’s benefits to the community and how it advances the Strategic Plan, are taken into consideration when scoring applications. Projects that do not directly create jobs are still eligible to apply.

Yes, if the program you are applying to requires it. More information on the Grants Gateway can be found at http://www.grantsreform.ny.gov/