Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Training Demonstrations andEducationalOutreach (66.716)
Program
66.716 Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Training Demonstrations andEducationalOutreach
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF PREVENTION, PESTICIDES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Section 20 and Toxic Substances Control Act; Section 10.
Program Number
66.716
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
Grants are awarded to support Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Training Demonstrations, Educational Outreach and Special Purpose assistance relating to the protection of public health and the environment from potential risk from toxic chemicals to come. Funding Priority: Annual funding priority topics for fiscal year 2003 include, but are not limited to, promotion of pollution prevention and the public's right to know about chemical risks, evaluation of pesticides and chemicals to safeguard all Americans, including children and other vulnerable members of the population, as well as our most threatened species and ecosystems from environmental harm and emerging issues like biotechnology, endocrine disruptors and lead poisoning prevention.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved scopes of work 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 of Research and Development.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is generally available to States, U. S. territories or possession, federally recognized Indian tribal governments and Native American Organizations, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions and individuals. Non-profit 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.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State and local governments, U.S. territories and possessions, federally recognized Indian tribal governments and Native American Organizations, universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public and private nonprofit institutions, general public, and other Non-Governmental Organizations.
Credentials/Documentation
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, and OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit institutions. Applicants may be requested to demonstrate that 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
EPA awards grants and cooperative agreements supporting surveys, studies and investigations, demonstrations, educational outreach and special purpose based on unsolicited proposals and competitive applications submitted in response to EPA solicitations, considering relevance and likelihood of success of proposed projects. When making competitive awards, EPA will specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications. EPA accepts unsolicited proposals, provided that such proposals are unique or innovative ideas for preventing pollution, regulating pesticides or help to bring about science research on issues relating to the impact on the health and the environment. For this reason, we recommend that potential applicants discuss proposed projects with or submit pre-applications to staff in the appropriate EPA technical program offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog. Individual programs are 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 for more information on the State's review process, and to determine if the State has selected the program for review. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circulars No. A-102 and No. A-110.
Application Procedure
The standards 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. Application kits should be requested from and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, 3903R, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W., Washington, DC 20460 or the appropriate EPA Regional Office identified in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Detailed information and assistance, including and application kit, required forms, and a check list may also be found at: http//www.epa..gov/ogd/AppKit/. Unsolicited applications must be submitted to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W., Mail Code 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. Applicants are encouraged to submit copies of unsolicited proposals to EPA's Office of Prevention Pesticides and Toxic Substances at the same time. For competitive awards, 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 the 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 (09/12/02).
Deadlines
Unsolicited proposals generally must be received prior to May 15 for funding in the 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 surveys, studies, and investigations. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, and availability of funds, and the Agency policy on the competitive grant process.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The program has no statutory formula.
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.
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. Reporting requirements are also identified in the Grant Regulations, 40 CFR Parts 30 and Part 31.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entties that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31 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. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. 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
The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic made one award in Fiscal year 2003. The total dollar amount for this award was $650,000. The Office of Pesticide Programs made nine awards in fiscal year 2003. The total dollar amount for these awards was $1,698,400.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obligations
FY 02 $3,250,000; FY 03 $2,348,400 ; and FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$1,000 to $500,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Surveys, Studies, and Investigations 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 on accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions and OMB Circular No. A-122 for non-profit institutions.
Related Programs
The Offices of Water, Air and and Radiation, Research and Development, and the Administrator also fund surveys, studies, investigations, and demonstrations under the following CFDA Numbers: 66.034 - Survey, Studies, Investigations, Demonstrations and Special Purpose Activities relating to the Clean Air Act 66.424 - Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Demonstrations and Special Purpose - Section 1442 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 66.436 - Surveys, Studies, and Investigation Grants and Cooperative Agreements - Section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act 66.510 - Surveys, Studies, Investigations and Special Purpose Grants within the Office of Research and Development 66.610 - Surveys, Studies, Investigations, and Special Purpose Grants within the Office of the Administrator.
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: Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances Immediate Office Elaine Lyon-Johnson (202)564-0547. Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics - John Nanartowicz (202) 564- 4756; Office of Pesticide Programs - Cathy Stewart (703) 305-7711; and Office of Science Coordination Policy - Inza Graves (202) 564-8430.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Under a similar program, 66.606, the Offfice of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances funded the following projects in FY 03. The Office of Pesticide Programs funded the following: development of an avian incident monitoring system, develop pesticide risk education for Hispanic farmworkers through radio broadcasting, develop and implement programs to reduce pesticide risks, develop pesticide drift mitigation education program, commercialization of pesticides reducing biotechnology's; the analysis and development of pilot pesticide safety programs and materials; Water Quality and Pesticide Management Planning for Federally Recognized Tribes. The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics funded the following: increased scientific and technical support for children's Environmental Health Network; research and develop methods of microbial identification; education materials development and outreach for green engineering in chemical curriculum; development of computational methods for visualization of taxonomic relationships; and public outreach and education for green chemistry.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
EPA selects proposed Surveys, Studies, and Investigations projects for funding based on factors such as relevancy to EPA's mission, technical merit, and the likelihood of success. If EPA issues a solicitation for applications for a particular project or group of projects, the solicitation will identify specific criteria.
