The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking applications for its Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (EJ TCTAC) for EPA Region 8.
Donor Name: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/11/2023
Size of the Grant: $10,000,000
Grant Duration: 5 years
Details:
The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment for all people with an emphasis on assisting those communities adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental, climate, and human health harms and risks. EPA, as illustrated by the funding provided under the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and annual appropriations, intends to make significant investments in the health, equity, and resilience of these, and all communities, to address past, current, and future environmental health and justice challenges. To maximize these significant investments, new and innovative strategies and approaches for issues such as community engagement and participation in environmental programs, equitable distribution of financial resources, capacity-building and outreach, and technical assistance and training to enhance access to financial assistance opportunities and promote effective grants management and performance, are necessary especially for underserved communities that have, and continue to be, plagued by environmental pollution and health, and environmental justice, challenges.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as other federal government agencies/departments as part of a government-wide effort, are working to address environmental, public health, and energy challenges affecting communities, and specifically those adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental, climate, and human health harms and risks. This includes communities historically underserved and adversely impacted by persistent poverty, inequality, and lack of funding/resources.
“Energy justice” as defined by the Department of Energy (DOE or Department) is “the goal of achieving equity in both the social and economic participation in the energy system, while also remediating social, economic, and health burdens on those disproportionately harmed by the energy system” (Initiative for Energy Justice, 2019). At its core, energy justice applies the basic principles of civil rights to the climate space.
Funding Information
EPA, with potential DOE funding, anticipates providing a total of approximately $10 million in funding for the award under this RFA. EPA expects to make one incrementally funded award with a period of performance of up to five years depending on funding availability, the quality of applications, satisfactory progress, and other applicable considerations. For application submission purposes, the applicants should prepare budgets for up to approximately $10 million over five years with up to approximately $2 million budgeted for each year. The amount of incremental funding available in subsequent years will depend on funding availability, satisfactory progress, and other applicable considerations with the understanding that EPA’s Project Officer will negotiate the amount of the final budget based on these considerations.
Applicants should plan for the period of performance for awards to begin on January 1, 2024, though this timing is subject to change depending on the timing of the award. The award is subject to the availability of funds, the quality of the applications submitted, and other applicable considerations.
Eligibility Criteria
- Following are the eligible entities who may apply under this RFA:
- Public and private universities and colleges and other nonprofit institutions of higher education such as community colleges
- Public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations (including philanthropic organizations)
- Intertribal Consortia – a coalition between two or more Indian tribal governments authorized by the governing bodies of those tribes to apply for and receive assistance and participate in self-governance.
- The Region 8 EJ TCTAC will provide technical assistance, training, and other eligible forms of assistance, resources, and support throughout EPA Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming) including but not limited to:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Community-based and grassroots organizations
- Philanthropic and civic organizations
- Underserved communities and organizations
- Rural and Remote communities and organizations
- Faith-based organizations and churches
- Educational institutions (e.g., schools, colleges, and universities), including Minority
- Serving Institutions
- Individuals of underserved communities
- Disadvantaged Businesses
- Local, tribal, and state governmental units
- US Territories
- Utility providers
- Health care providers and clinics
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
