To support efforts by organizations; educational institutions; and/or State, local, and tribal governmental agencies to establish or enhance their ability to take actions that will reduce environmental risks to the health of children or the aging (elderly) population. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: Support efforts to: (1) Support efforts to promote healthy home, school, and child care environments; (2) Build state, local, and tribal government capacity to address environmental health risks to children and older adults; (3) Educate health practitioners on environmental risks to children; (4) Implement a National Agenda for the Environment and the Aging to protect the health of older persons, prepare for an aging society, and encourage civic engagement among older adults; (5) Protect children and older adults from environmental hazards in local communities through civic engagement, demonstration projects, and other community capacity building activities; (6) Conduct environmental health tracking as it relates to older persons at the state level; (7) Protect children and older adults internationally from environmental health risks; (8) Demonstrate how smart growth activities can promote healthy communities for older adults and children; (9) Reduce environmental risks to children and older adults through intergenerational activities; (10) Educate women of childbearing age and their health care providers about preventing and reducing environmental health risks; (11) reduce environmental health disparities; (12) Educate older adults to be environmental leaders in their community and train other elders to be leaders and educate children and older adults about the importance of environmental stewardship and health; (13) Support efforts to address climate change and its effects on the health of children and older adults; (14) Support efforts to increase understanding of the relationship between the environment and children's health and development. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Cooperative Agreements USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved surveys, studies, investigations, and special purpose assistance, 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. 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. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov. Applicant Eligibility: Assistance under this program is generally available to States or state agencies, State agencies and local governments, U.S. territories and possessions, 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. The Child and Aging Health Protection Division within the Office of Children's Health Protection and Environmental Education may ask applicants or principal investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program. Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424, "Application for Federal Assistance." Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, (3903R), Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate EPA 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. For competitive awards, the Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. 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. Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: 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: 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 the Child and Aging Health Protection Division's program priorities, and the availability of funds. Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. 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 Section 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. EPA may waive the Section 311(b)(3) cost-sharing requirement in appropriate cases. Matching funds requirements may be established in program guidance or in the terms of competitive solicitations. This program does not have MOE requirements. EPA normally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12-month basis. However, the Child and Aging Health Protection Division of the Office of Children's Health Protection and Environmental Education can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. EPA limits project periods to five (5) years. Grants and cooperative agreements may be incrementally funded or fully funded. This determination is made by EPA. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum. Reports: No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. Quarterly progress reports are required to be sent to the EPA Project Officer within 30 days after each reporting period. These reports will cover work status, work progress, difficulties encountered, preliminary data results and a statement of activity anticipated during the subsequent reporting period, including a description of equipment, techniques, and materials to be used or evaluated. The report shall also include any changes of key personnel concerned with the project. Quarterly progress reports are required to be sent to the EPA Project Officer within 30 days after each reporting period. A discussion of expenditures along with a comparison of the percentage of the project completed to the project schedule and an explanation of significant discrepancies shall be included in the report. The EPA Project Officer is required to conduct baseline monitoring of each active award. For awards with original project periods 18 month or less in duration, the initial baseline monitoring will take place no later than six months from the award date. For awards with original project periods greater than 18 months in duration, the initial baseline monitoring will take place no later than 1 year from the award date. After the initial baseline monitoring, all subsequent baseline monitoring will occur within 12 months of the last baseline or advanced monitoring activity. 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. Records: The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 30 (nonprofits and institutions of higher education) 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 which support substantial changes to the grant, available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients' grants and cooperative agreement records. Recipient must maintain all records for a period of three years from the date of submission of final expenditures 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 fully resolved. Account Identification: 68-0108-0-1-304. Obligations: (Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $200,000; FY 10 est $1,000,000 Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Range $10,000 to $150,000 per grant. Average $100,000 per grant (2 year grants). PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Fiscal Year 2008: Developed tools for organizations to work across generations to protect children's health from environmental risks; supported international effort to develop children's environmental health indicators; increased the capacity of health care providers to identify, prevent and manage environmentally-related illnesses in children in United States and around the world; increased the capacity of prenatal health care providers and pregnant women to reduce environmental exposures to the developing fetus; increased state capacity to measure environmentally-related illnesses in older adults; increased state, local and tribal capacity to address environmental toxicants that can affect the health of older adults; developed multicultural leaders in the field of environment and aging; and successfully piloted environmental intergenerational projects in urban and rural settings (including projects that taught youth and elders about acid mine drainage and water quality monitoring; organic farming, solar energy and agribusiness; indoor air quality including mold and toxic cleaning products; e-cycling business; integrated pest management and the growth and migration of monarch butterflies). Fiscal Year 2009: Data on the number and ratio of applications for FY 09: Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging: Training and Demonstration Projects - 76 applications received, 2 awards made. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Surveys, studies, and investigations grants and cooperative agreements are See Regional Agency Offices. Headquarters Office: Martha Shimkin Child and Aging Health Protection Division 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 http://www.epa.gov/children RELATED PROGRAMS: Not Applicable. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2008: There were no projects awarded funding in FY 2008 though projects awarded in past years were ongoing. The following are examples of programs funded in the past: Develop training tools to educate older Americans about environmental hazards in their communities. Training, innovation, outreach, and educational projects to protect the health of older adults and the environment. Public education materials to inform older persons about environmental hazards that affect health and the environment. Increase capacity of state legislators to deal effectively with children's environmental health issues at the state level. Build health professional capacity to address pediatric environmental health issues. Increase intergenerational cooperation to improve environmental health in urban and rural communities. Support the ability of schools to manage chemicals in a safe and effective manner. Demonstration projects to dispose of unwanted medications in a prudent manner. Build capacity with women of childbearing age and health professionals to address environmental health issues during pregnancy. 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. 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. 66.610 SURVEYS, STUDIES, INVESTIGATIONS AND SPECIAL PURPOSE GRANTS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR FEDERAL AGENCY: Office of the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency AUTHORIZATION: Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001; Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10; Clean Air Act, Section 103; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Section 311; National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F); Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(a)&(c); Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, Public Law 106-74; Clean Water Act, Section 104. OBJECTIVES: (1) To support surveys, studies, investigations, and special purpose assistance associated with air quality, acid deposition, drinking water, water quality, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides; (2) to identify, develop, and demonstrate necessary pollution control techniques; (3) to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution; (4) to evaluate the economic and social consequences of alternative strategies and mechanisms for use by those in economic, social, governmental, and environmental management positions; and (5) to promote collaboration on projects and activities within the states and enable wider and more coordinated state input on national environmental issues. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: Priorities continue to include support for environmental health information and analysis to state legislatures; support to build state capacity to reduce environmental hazards that may affect health and the environment; support of environmental education training; support to promote and enhance state collaboration by focusing on communication and the sharing of environmental information among states; support to detail environmental outcome oriented indicators, measures, and goals that promote innovative environmental protection; and support to increase efficiency in the state environmental protection programs that results in cost-effective, sustainable environmental protection. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: PROJECT GRANTS USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved surveys, studies, investigations and special purpose assistance, 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. 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. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov. Applicant Eligibility: Assistance under this program is generally available to State agencies, territories, the District of Columbia, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S. Assistance is also available to public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private nonprofit institutions. 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. See "Authorization" listed above. 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: State agencies and local governments, U.S. territories and possessions, Indian Tribes, universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public and private nonprofit institutions. 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. Office of the Administrator may ask applicants or principal investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program. 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. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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. Application Procedures: OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424, "Application for Federal Assistance." Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, (3903R), Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate EPA 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. For competitive award, the Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. 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. Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: 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: Not Applicable. Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. 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 Section 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. EPA may waive the Section 311(b)(3) cost-sharing requirement in appropriate cases. Matching fund requirements may be established in program guidance or in the terms of competitive solicitations. This program does not have MOE requirements. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: EPA normally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12-month basis. However, the Office of the Administrator can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. EPA limits project periods to 5 years. Grants and cooperative agreements may be incrementally funded or fully funded. This determination is made by the EPA. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Other. 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 EPA's grant regulations 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31. Program reports are required. No cash reports are required. Progress reports are required. No expenditure reports are required. Performance monitoring is required under this program. 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. Records: The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 30 (nonprofits and institutions of higher education) 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 which support substantial changes to the grant, available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients' grants and cooperative agreement records. Recipient must maintain all records for a period of three (3) years from the date of submission of final expenditures 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 fully resolved. Account Identification: 68-1810-0-1-304. Obligations: (Project Grants) FY 08 $308,217; FY 09 est $225,000; FY 10 est $225,000 Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Range $500 to $500,000 per grant. Average amount of award approximately $150,000 per grant. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Fiscal Year 2008: The Agency anticipates making one new award under this CFDA in Fiscal Year 2008. Although there were no new applications received and no new awards made during Fiscal Year 2007, the program accomplishments of ongoing grants were: (1) "Building of state capacity to improve results based management" -- The grant recipient developed 15 pilot projects to help States refine and expand their strategic planning efforts to focus on lessons learned with an eye towards better integration of multi-media approaches that achieve quantifiable environmental outcomes. Some states focused their pilots on the development of state priorities, multi-state priorities, and/or joint planning with EPA, while others worked on the alignment of State, regional and national planning processes. Information and experiences from the pilots will be used to evaluate progress and identify additional improvements. These pilots are ongoing. (2) Mercury Abatement helped States to educate and engage key public and private sector leaders on the actions taken to reduce and manage mercury in the environment. Grantee developed and published a mercury compendium of State Mercury Activities and worked with States and EPA to implement a partnership to reduce mercury in the environment. Developed and published an information document on "Mercury Product Labeling." Also helped develop a National Voluntary Mercury Switch Removal Program. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Surveys, studies, and investigations grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA general grant regulations (40 CFR Parts 30, "Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations," and 40 CFR Part 31, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments"). Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular 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 "for profit" entities. Regional or Local Office: See Regional Agency Offices. Anthony Raia Environmental Protection Agency Office of the Administrator 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: Raia.Anthony@epamail.epa.gov Phone: (202) 564-2758 Website Address: http://www.epa.gov/adminweb/ RELATED PROGRAMS: 66.609 Protection of Children and Older Adults (Elderly) from Environmental Health Risks; 66.611 Environmental Policy and Innovation Grants EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2008: EPA has funded projects that: (1) Strengthen State Capacity to Reduce and Manage Mercury in the Environment; (2) build State capacity to improve results-based environmental management and help States share information on best practices; (3) support State efforts to deliver comprehensive environmental compliance assistance to small local governments; (4) assist State efforts to more accurately manage expenditures for water quality programs; (5) To utilize a broad scope of work to include research, studies, demonstrations, training and professional development in order to promote active state involvement in the coordination of Federal/State efforts to reduce and eliminate pollution. 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. 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. 66.611 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND INNOVATION GRANTS FEDERAL AGENCY: Office of the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency Clean Water Act, Section 104, 33 U.S.C 1254; Solid Waste Disposal Act, OBJECTIVES: (1) To support analyses, studies, evaluations, workshops, conferences, and demonstration projects that lead to reduced pollutants generated and conservation of natural resources; (2) to improve economic information and analytic methods to support studies, surveys, analyses, evaluations, conferences, workshops, and demonstration projects on the benefits, costs, and impacts of environmental programs; and (3) 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; and (4) to support research to explore and develop strategies and mechanisms for those in the economic, social, governmental, and environmental arenas to use in environmental management decisions. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: Pending budget decisions, the funding priorities for this program may include continued support for innovative projects related to exploring, testing, or implementing smart growth policies and other environmentally preferable approaches to development. In the area of economic research there was one solicitation issued at the beginning of the year to solicit proposals in two areas: (1) conducting research on the "Design of Policies for Pollution Control Using Market Mechanisms," and (2) research support for "Data Gathering for Dissertation and Early Career Research on the Pollution Control Aspects of Environmental Economics". This solicitation is affiliated with the Economics and Decision Sciences Program, which prior to FY2008 had been administered by EPA's Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Research. Effective in FY2008, responsibility and resources for this program were transferred within EPA to the Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2010: Pending budget decisions, the funding priorities for this program may include continued support for innovative projects related to exploring, testing, or implementing smart growth policies and other environmentally preferable approaches to development. In the area of economic research, pending budget decisions, FY2010 funds will primarily be dedicated to financing projects awarded to applications to the 2009 solicitation targeting policy designs for pollution control using market mechanisms and research to support data gathering for dissertation and early career research on pollution control and environmental economics. It is possible that a new solicitation will be issued in FY2010, but due to uncertainty on budget and project priorities, it is not clear at this time what the topic or theme of an FY2010 solicitation will be. If there is a new solicitation issued in FY2010, the funding used to finance any awards will in all likelihood rely on FY2011 resources. 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. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov. Applicant Eligibility: Assistance under this program is generally available to States and local governments, territories and possessions, foreign governments, international organizations, Indian Tribes, interstate organizations, intrastate organizations, 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, and 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 applicants. See "Authorization" listed above. 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. National laboratories funded by Federal Agencies (Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers, "FFRDCs") may not apply. FFRDC employees may cooperate or collaborate with eligible applicants within the limits imposed by applicable legislation and regulations. They may participate in planning, conducting, and analyzing the research directed by the applicant, but may not direct projects on behalf of the applicant organization. The institution, organization, or governance receiving the award may provide funds through its grant from the EPA to an FFRDC for research personnel, supplies, equipment, and other expenses directly related to the research. However, salaries for permanent FFRDC employees may not be provided through this mechanism. Federal Agencies may not apply. Federal employees are not eligible to serve in a principal leadership role on a grant, and may not receive salaries or augment their Agency's appropriations in other ways through grants made by this program. 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. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program. 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. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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. Application Procedures: OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424, "Application for Federal Assistance." Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, (3903R), Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate EPA 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. Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. 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 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 competitions involving research that are administered as part of the Economic and Decision Sciences program, OPEI will continue to adhere to the policies and procedures followed by ORD, NCER and their Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, which includes engaging an external technical peer review panel to evaluate the technical merits of research proposals. Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Approximately 180 days for most competitive solicitations. For competitive |