Environmental Policy and Innovation Grants (66.611)
Program
66.611 Environmental Policy and Innovation Grants
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR, OFFICE OF POLICY ECONOMICS, AND INNOVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Clean Air Act, Section 103, as amended; Public Law 95-95, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.; Clean Water Act, Section 104, as amended; Public Law 95-217, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001, as amended; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended; Public Law 94-580, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.; Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442; Public Law 93-523; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, as amended; Public Law 94-469; 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.; Federal, Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20 as amended; Public Law 92-516; Public Laws 94-140 and 95-396, 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.; Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Sections 104(k)(6) and 311.
Program Number
66.611
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
(1) To support analyses, studies, evaluations, and conferences that lead to reduced pollutants generated and conservation of natural resources; (2) to encourage and promote stewardship programs that reflect "beyond compliance" behavior and offer incentives or rewards for superior environmental performance; (3) to improve economic information and analytic methods to support studies, surveys, analyses, evaluations, conferences, workshops, and demonstration projects of the benefits, costs and impacts of environmental programs; and (4)To improve economic information and analytic methods to support studies, surveys, analyses, evaluations, conferences, workshops, and demonstration projects of incentive-based and voluntary environmental management strategies and mechanisms. Funding Priority: Funding priorities for fiscal year 2003 include support for State innovations, Smart Growth, and economic analysis, and economic analytical and statistical methods development.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved Environmental Policy and Innovation plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Funding awarded for research does not include research within the purview of EPA's Office or Research and Development. Funds awarded under Section 311(b)(3) of CERCLA must be used for projects relating to innovative or alternative treatment technologies that may be utilized in response actions to achieve more permanent protection of human health and welfare and the environment.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is generally available to States, territories, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions, individuals. Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply. For profit organizations are generally not eligible for funding. Some of EPA's statutes may limit assistance to specific types of interested applications.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State and local governments, U.S. territories and possessions, Indian Tribes, universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public and private nonprofit institutions and individuals.
Credentials/Documentation
Documentation of nonprofit status may be required. Applicants may be requested to demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out projects. EPA may ask applicants or principle investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Applicants considering submitting unsolicited proposals should discuss proposed projects with or submit preapplications to staff in the Office of Policy. When making competitive awards, EPA will specify the nature of the preapplication assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications. For information contacts, see Appendix IV of the Catalog. Awards under this program may be subject to E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Applicants should consult the office or official designated as the State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for more information on the State's review process, and to determine in the State has selected the program for review. See Appendix 1 for additional information regarding SPOC's. If there is no single point of contact for the State, or the State has not selected this program for review, applicants must contact directly affected State area-wide regional and local entities prior to award. (See 40 CFR 29.7(b).)
Application Procedure
The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 and A-110 must be used for this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate PEA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Additional information on the EPA grant package can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm Unsolicited applications must be submitted to GAD. Applicants are encouraged to submit copies of unsolicited proposals to EPA's Office of Policy at the same time. Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures.
Award Procedure
For non-competitive awards, EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of application in relation to grant regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant. For competitive awards, EPA will review applications or proposals in accordance with the criteria specified in the Request for Applications or Request for Initial Proposals. Competitions will be conducted under EPA Order No. 5700.5, Policy for Competition in Assistance Agreements (9/12/02).
Deadlines
Unsolicited proposals generally must be received prior to May 15 for funding in applicable fiscal year. For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in Request for Applications or Request for Initial Proposals.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
See 40 CFR Part 30.63 and Part 31, Subpart F.
Renewals
None. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements for Environmental Policy and Innovation. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, availability of funds, and Agency policy on the competitive grant process.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
EPA's Appropriation Act requires that applicants submitting unsolicited research grant proposals share in the cost of conducting research. The amount of the cost share will be based on the mutuality of interest between the Government and the applicant. This requirement cannot be waived by EPA. In addition, CERCLA 311(b)(3) requires that "to the maximum extent possible", EPA enter into an appropriate cost-sharing arrangement with recipients of grants and cooperative agreements relating to innovative and alternative treatment technologies.s EPA may waive the 311(b)(3) cost-sharing requirement in appropriate cases. Matching requirements may be established in program guidance or the terms.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
EPA normally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. EPA limits project periods to 5 years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements. Agreements may require quarterly, interim, and final progress reports, and financial, equipment, and invention reports. Specific reporting requirements are also identified in the Grant Regulations Part 30 and Part 31.
Audits
Environmental Policy and Innovation grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff or any authorized representative of the Federal government. If the Government Accounting Office or EPA's Inspector General conducts Federal audits, the audits will be made in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-173 to ensure funds have been used efficiently, economically, and effectively. Recipients must conduct periodic audits in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Institutions." The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 1997. The Circular implements the Single Audit Act amendments of 1996. The Circular requires nonfederal entities that expend more than $300,000 in Federal award dollars, to have an audit conducted in accordance with the Circular's provisions.
Records
The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 30 (non-profits and universities) or 40 CFR Part 31 (governmental units) are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.
Program Accomplishments
New program, not applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obligations
(Grants and Cooperative Agreements) FY 02 est not available; FY 03 est $500,000; and FY 03 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$15,000 to $200,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Environmental Policy and Innovation grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations (40 CFR Part 30 and 40 CFR Part 31). Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions, OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit institutions, and FAR Part 31 for profit makers.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
EPA encourages potential applicants to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog, and the Headquarters program contacts listed below.
Headquarters Office
For information on grant applications and procedures, contact: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. For program information contact Pam Stirling, (202) 566-2999.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
This is a new CFDA entry.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Competitive applications and proposals will be selected in accordance with announced criteria. Non- competitive proposals are judged for (a) technical merit in terms of: (1) strengths and weaknesses of the project; (2) adequacy of overall project design; (3) competency of proposed staff; (4) suitability of applicant's available resources; (5) appropriateness of the proposed project period and budget; and (6) probability that the project will accomplish stated objectives; and, for (b) program interest in terms of: (1) the need for the proposed project; and (2) relationship to program objectives.
