National Network for Environmental Management Studies Fellowship Program (66.952)

Program

66.952 National Network for Environmental Management Studies Fellowship Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Office: Office of the Administrator

Authorization

Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442, 42 U.S.C 300j-1; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Section 311, 42 U.S.C 9660; Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(5)&(g)3B, 33 U.S.C 1254(b)(5)&g3B; Clean Air Act, Section 103(b)(5), 42 U.S.C 7403(b)(5); National Environmental Education Act, Section 7, Public Law 101-619; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, 15 U.S.C 2609; Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001, 42 U.S.C 6981; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, 7 U.S.C 136r.

Program Number

66.952

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide students an opportunity to participate in a research project that is directly related to their field of study. To foster a growing interest among higher education students in environmental careers. To help defray the costs associated with the pursuit of academic programs related to the field of environmental protection, such as pollution control, science, engineering, technology, social science, and specialty areas. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: Includes research projects in the following categories: 1) Environmental Policy, Regulation, and Law, 2) Environmental Management and Administration, 3) Environmental Science, 4) Public Relations and Communication; and,5) Computer Programming and Development.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

The funds are to provide resources to allow for training and research fellowships relating to environmental issues. No matching funds are required.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Applicant Eligibility: A NNEMS Fellowship is available to any associate, undergraduate, graduate, or advanced student who meets the general criteria listed below, as well as those identified for associate, undergraduate, graduate and advanced students. At a minimum, all applicants must be: 1) A citizen of the United States, its territories or possessions, or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residency. 2) Enrolled for academic credit at a college or university, or distance-learning institution accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Associate and Undergraduate Students: Students attending 2- or 4-year institutions or distance learning institutions must meet the following requirements: 1) 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) based on a scale of 4.0 at the time that the application is due. 2) Completion of at least four courses related to the field of environmental studies. Graduate and Advanced Students: Students enrolled in graduate or doctoral programs must meet the following requirements: 1) Currently enrolled in a graduate or Ph.D. program or can provide proof of acceptance and enrollment to a graduate or Ph.D. program at the time of fellowship award. 2) Completion of at least one semester of graduate or Ph.D. work, or at least four undergraduate courses related to the field of environmental studies. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Students.

Credentials/Documentation

Students are required to submit an official transcript from each 2- or 4-year college or university, or distance learning institution attended. A student must submit verification of acceptance and/or enrollment in a graduate or Ph.D. program if the applicant is a graduating senior. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Students who are interested in applying for a NNEMS fellowship must submit four complete application packages (one original and three copies) that include:1) A completed NNEMS application, 2) SF 424, 3) A resume, 4) A completed NNEMS reference form, 5) A completed NNEMS Disclosure and Waiver Statement, 6) Verification of acceptance and/or enrollment in a graduate or Ph.D. program if the applicant is a graduating senior, and 7) An official transcript for each 2- or 4-year college or university, or distance learning institution attended. Official transcripts should be opened and photocopied as three copies. NNEMS application forms can be obtained on our web site at: www.epa.gov/enviroed. Applicants must submit their completed application package to: NNEMS Fellowship Program, Tetra Tech EM Inc., 1881 Campus Commons Drive, Suite 200, Reston, VA 20191. Students selected for a NNEMS Fellowship must fill out a Fellowship Application (EPA Form 5770-2), a Fellowship Facilities and Commitment Statement (5770-3), and a NNEMS Fellowship Application. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Award Procedure

Students who are interested in applying for a NNEMS fellowship must submit four complete application packages (one original and three copies) that include:1) A completed NNEMS application, 2) SF 424, 3) A resume, 4) A completed NNEMS reference form, 5) A completed NNEMS Disclosure and Waiver Statement, 6) Verification of acceptance and/or enrollment in a graduate or Ph.D. program if the applicant is a graduating senior, and 7) An official transcript for each 2- or 4-year college or university, or distance learning institution attended. Official transcripts should be opened and photocopied as three copies. NNEMS application forms can be obtained on our web site at: www.epa.gov/enviroed. Applicants must submit their completed application package to: NNEMS Fellowship Program, Tetra Tech EM Inc., 1881 Campus Commons Drive, Suite 200, Reston, VA 20191. Students selected for a NNEMS Fellowship must fill out a Fellowship Application (EPA Form 5770-2), a Fellowship Facilities and Commitment Statement (5770-3), and a NNEMS Fellowship Application. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 120 days.

Appeals

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.

Renewals

Grants are solicited through competitions and are not renewed.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

NNEMS Fellowships are awarded for three months full-time and up to three years part-time. Students receive payment in the form of a stipend typically paid in equal monthly payments throughout the duration of the fellowship period. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Stipends are awarded according to Project Officer's disbursement plan.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reporting requirements will be stated in the Terms and Conditions of the official grant award documents. Recipients must submit original final reports to both the EPA Project Officer and to the Office of Environmental Education NNEMS Coordinator. The final report should be submitted on the last day of the fellowship. Unless directed otherwise by the EPA Project Officer, the final report should summarize the specific project undertaken by the student and the project results. Program reports are required. No cash reports are required. Progress reports are required. No expenditure reports are required. Performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. 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. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

Pursuant to 40 CFR Part 46- Fellowships, Subpart E-46.230, Closeout Procedures: NNEMS Fellows must retain all records related to the fellowship for 3 years following the completion date identified on the Completion of Studies Notice. The EPA, the Inspector General, and the Comptroller General of the United States, and any duly authorized representatives have the right of timely and unrestricted access to a student's documents, papers, or other records related to a fellowship in order to make audits, examinations, excerpts, transcripts, and copies of such documents. The rights of access in this paragraph are not limited to the required retention period but shall last as long as those records are retained.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Each year, the NNEMS program offers approximately 20 to 25 research projects, developed and sponsored by EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and in EPA's 10 regional offices and laboratories throughout the U.S. EPA has awarded nearly 1,400 fellowships under the NNEMS program since its inception in 1986. Each year, EPA announces the available projects offered by EPA offices and students from colleges and universities nationwide make application to do the research or other environmental studies and tasks that are educational and promote environmental careers. In 2008, 142 applications were received and 18 applicants were awarded a NNEMS fellowship of which the average stipend amount was about $13,000. Fiscal Year 2009: In 2009, 345 applications were received and 25 applicants were awarded a NNEMS fellowship with the average amount of the stipend being about $13,000. Fiscal Year 2010: In 2010, EPA anticipates approximately 25-30 applicants will be awarded a fellowship, with $400,000 as the estimated total amount of awards.

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0108-0-1-304.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $217,859; FY 09 est $316,085; FY 10 est $400,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Recipients of NNEMS fellowships receive a grant award in the form of a stipend, based on the student's level of education and the duration and location of the project. Grant awards range from approximately $7,400.00 to $12,600.00 per award for a 3-month, full-time period. The average award is for approximately $10,000.00.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

40 CFR Part 46-Fellowships and 40 CFR Part 30-General Regulations for Assistance Programs.

Related Programs

66.509 Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Research Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices.

Headquarters Office

Andrew Burnett Office of Environmental Education (MC1704A)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: burnett.andrew@epa.gov Phone: (202) 564-0446

Web Site Address

http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: NNEMS fellows are placed in EPA Headquarters and Regional offices and laboratories nationwide. They work on a variety of EPA developed research projects and environmental topics relating to the following five categories: Environmental Policy, Regulation, and Law; Environmental Management and Administration; Environmental Science; Public Relations and Communications; and Computer Programming and Development. Examples of projects offered by the NNEMS fellowship program relating to the above categories are as follows: 1) Environmental Policy, Regulation and Law: Fellowships offered in this category may provide students an opportunity to review and evaluate existing policies and regulations, or perhaps conduct research related to the development of new policies. A recently funded project involved a student working with EPA staff to analyze international air quality issues and approaches related to capacity building work with China. The student gained insight into international air pollution issues and be exposed to EPA, federal government, and bilateral and multilateral international programs that address air quality. 2) Environmental Management and Administration: The fellowships offered in this category may focus on environmental management goals. A recently funded project involved a student conducting research and learning about energy efficiency, green purchasing, and green buildings. The student also analyzed environmental measurement goals, such as expected greenhouse gases reduced, electricity saved, and gallons of water diverted. 3) Environmental Science: Research projects in this category typically include direct participation in field studies and laboratory research. A recently funded project involved a student researching the implications of low-impact development (LID) in watershed restoration. The student gained an understanding of the principles and philosophy of "green infrastructure" and LID and its relationship with the Green Highway Program (GHP) and watershed resources protection and preservation. 4) Public Relations and Communications: These types of projects may include the review and analysis of public response to EPA policies and regulations, as well as general public opinion of environmental issues. These projects may also include assisting with the development of communication tools. A recently funded project involved a student conducting research and analysis on the content and design of a regional website and other communications. For a complete listing of NNEMS 2009 project descriptions, see: http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/NNEMS. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement. Applicants must meet all of the basic eligibility requirements. Eligible applications then will be reviewed by panels comprised of EPA staff members. Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 1) relevancy of classroom experience of the student as it relates to the EPA research project, 2) the student's understanding of the proposed EPA research project subject matter, 3) relevancy of work experience of the student (whether volunteer activities, internships, or paid jobs) as it relates to the EPA research project, 4) relevancy of the student's academic studies as it relates to the EPA research project, 5) leadership skills, written communication skills, and demonstrated success at working well in an office, laboratory, or field environment, as appropriate to the project, and 6) potential for success, as reflected by academic records, letters of reference, and other relevant information. Applications that are scored highly by the panels of reviewers are sent to NNEMS staff and EPA project officers for selection consideration.