International Financial Assistance Projects Sponsored by the Office of International and Tribal Affairs

 

To protect human health and the environment while advancing U.S. national interests through international environmental collaboration. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2018: OITA will continue to engage both bilaterally and through multilateral institutions with the objective of improving international cooperation to address the transboundary movement of pollution. OITA will address air pollution and air quality with international partners that contribute significant pollution to the environment and who are committed to improving their environmental performance. OITA will continue its work in the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV), a global partnership that has worked to reduce air pollution from the global fleet of on-road vehicles. OITA will also continue its efforts to reduce transboundary pollution from ships. The EPA expects to continue a focus on ratification and full implementation of the Minamata Convention by less developed countries, and on continued technical and policy support for global and regional efforts to address international sources of mercury use and emissions. OITA will continue to strengthen partnerships including efforts along our borders to address environmental problems and build capacity in areas such as environmental laws and legal institutions. Collaboration with global partners is needed to build upon awareness of water pollution issues and to promote watershed and marine environmental protection. OITA will continue to promote clean water and drinking water programs focusing on improving the quality of water sources and managing other environmental risks. Funding Priorities: In FY 2019, OITA will continue to engage both bilaterally and through multilateral institutions with the objective of improving international cooperation to address the transboundary movement of pollution. To achieve our domestic environmental and human health objectives, work with international partners is essential to successfully address transboundary pollution adversely impacting the United States. Strengthening environmental protection abroad so that it is on par with practices in the United States helps build a level playing field for industry while supporting foreign policy objectives outlined by the White House, the National Security Council, and the Department of State. This will include working with international partners to strengthen environmental laws and governance to more closely align with U.S. standards and practices and to help level the playing field for U.S. industry. OITA works with NPMs and Regional Offices to formulate U.S. international policies and to implement EPA?s international programs that provide policy and technical assistance to other countries. OITA will continue to link anticipated and achieved outcomes to the Agency?s Strategic Goals.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
66.931
Federal Agency/Office
Environmental Protection Agency
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 No content available yet. EPA collaborated with partner countries to strengthen and enhance public participation practices and to provide partner countries with tools and resources on social inclusion and public participation. EPA trained participants representing governments, NGOs, academia, media, and international organizations in Central and South America, the Middle East and North Africa, West Africa, and Indonesia. EPA, in support of the Lead Paint Alliance, provided technical assistance to Kenya, Tanzania, and other East African countries that furthered development and promulgation of lead in paint laws in East Africa.
Fiscal Year 2017 US leadership promoted the trilateral exploration of areas to improve the comparability of emissions via mitigation and adaptation projects, with the longer term view of adopting policies that will achieve each country’s climate goals, again illustrating the critical role played by the environment in any conversation on economic and social development.
Fiscal Year 2018 There were 14 cooperative agreements awarded for work beginning in FY 2018. Examples of projects addressed by DITCAs include: 1) regulatory oversight of Public Water Systems, to perform evaluation work, develop products and provide training; and 2) continued development of Underground Storage Tank (UST) programs; 3) work in tribal air quality management; and 4) Underground Injection Control (UIC) program work.
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 104, 33 U.S.C. 1254
Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001, 42 U.S.C. 6981
Clean Air Act, Section 103, 42 U.S.C. 7403
Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, 15 U.S.C. 2609
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, 7 U.S.C. 136r
Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(a) and (c), 42 U.S.C. 300j-1 (a)(1)
National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(f), 42 U.S.C. 4332
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, Section 203, 33 U.S.C. 1443
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is generally available to States and local governments, territories and possessions, foreign governments, international organizations, 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, which submit applications proposing projects with significant technical merit and relevance to EPA's Office of International Affairs' mission. 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
States and local governments, territories and possessions, foreign governments, international organizations, 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.
Credentials/Documentation
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (OITA) may require applicants to submit documentation of non-profit status. OITA may request applicants to demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out projects. OITA may also ask applicants or principal investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. 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 in the competitive announcement.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through https://www.grants.gov. Assistance awards to Foreign Governments and to United Nations agencies and similar International Organizations, such as the Organization of American States and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), may be exempted from competition at the discretion of OITA.
Award Procedure
For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. For non-competitive awards, OITA 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.
Deadlines
For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the Request for Applications or Request for Initial Proposals.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 120 to 180 days. Approximately 180 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 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA assistance listing will be described in the competitive announcement.
How may assistance be used?
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct cost expenditures incident to the approved project plus allocable portions of allowable indirect costs of the institution, in accordance with established EPA policy, 2 CFR parts 200 and 1500. Funding awarded for international research under these projects does not include research within the purview of EPA's Office of Research and Development.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Performance Monitoring is required under this program. The content and frequency of reporting requirements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.
Auditing
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.
Records
The record retention requirements of 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500 are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records must be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
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. Payments will be on an advance letter of credit or reimbursement basis; recipient must request the initial advance payment on SF 270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement. Assistance is awarded by project.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Lenore Connell
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue., N.W
Washington, DC 20460 USA
Connell.Lenore@epa.gov
Phone: 202-564-5343
Website Address
http://www.epa.gov/oia/
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 18$3,500,000.00; FY 19 est $1,500,000.00; FY 20 FY 17$4,000,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Financial assistance for projects range: $15,000 - $300,000; Average: FY 2018 $200,000 and FY 2019 est. $150,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
These grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500. Costs will be determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200 and Subpart E.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 No content available yet. Internationally funded activities included support for mercury reduction technologies in support of the Minamata convention, Lead Pain initiative, trash free waters, and food waste reduction.
Fiscal Year 2018 This program assists institutions in strengthening their legal, technical, research, analytical, program implementation capacity, and expert knowledge, information, strategies, and tools. This program has also provided capacity building through the development and implementation of projects in areas, including but not limited to: water resource management-- surface and groundwater, drinking water, and wastewater management-- solid waste management, air quality management, greenhouse gases (GHG), black carbon, climate adaptation and resiliency, emergency response capacity, environmental impact assessments (EIA), public participation/social inclusion, and environmental enforcement and compliance.