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Commonly Used State and Tribal Grants Terms and Definitions
Multimedia STAG Grant Topics
This list of definitions for the State and Tribal Grant (STAG) program was compiled from 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 30, 31, 40, 45 and 46.
Award: Financial assistance that provides support or stimulation to accomplish a public purpose. Awards include grants and other agreements in the form of money or property in lieu of money, by the federal government to an eligible recipient.
Awarding Agency: (1) with respect to a grant, the federal agency, and (2) with respect to a subgrant, the party that awarded the subgrant.
Cooperative Agreement: A cooperative agreement is an assistance agreement that is used when there is substantial federal involvement with the recipient during the performance of an activity/project. Generally, substantial federal involvement is anticipated where a project is expected to entail one or more of the following:
- Intense monitoring by EPA
- Joint operational involvement, participation, and/or collaboration between EPA and the recipient
- EPA prior review or approval of project phases or the substantive provisions of proposed contracts found within the scope of the agreement
- EPA involvement in the selection of key recipient personnel; or
- EPA collaboration regarding scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operation and other management process (assuming the principal purpose is not to acquire goods or services for the government, in which case a contract would be required)
Cost Sharing/Matching: The value of the third part in-kind contributions and the portion of the costs of a federally assisted project or program not borne by the federal government.
Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Government: The governing body or a governmental agency of any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community (including any Native village as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 85 Stat 688) certified by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided by him through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Focus Area: An area defined as a high priority category by EPA regional and headquarter offices of Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA). An example of a focus are is "data management." The criteria for selection is clearly defined in the Federal Register Notice. Grantees are to develop a pre-proposal around a focus area and are encouraged to address only one focus area. If a grantee wishes to be considered for more than one focus area, they should submit a separate pre-proposal.
Funding Period: The period of the time specified in the grant agreement during which the recipient may expend or obligate funds for the purposes set forth in the agreement.
Government: A state or local government or a federally recognized Indian tribal government.
Grant: An award of financial assistance, including cooperative agreements, in the form of money, or property in lieu of money, by the federal government to an eligible grantee.
Grantee: This is the government to which a grant is awarded and which is accountable for the use of the funds provided.
Intertribal Consortium or Consortia: A partnership between two ore more tribes that is authorized by the government bodies of those tribes to apply for and receive assistance.
Local Government: A county, municipality, city, town, township, local public authority (including any public and Indian housing agency under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937) school district, special district, intrastate district, council of governments, any other regional or interstate government entity, or any agency or instrumentality of a local government.
Multi-Media: In terms of Pre-proposals/Proposals and the Grant Program, multi-media projects are projects that involve more than one media (e.g., Air, Water).
Outcome: The environmental result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes must be quantitative, and they may not necessarily be achievable during a grant funding period.
Output: An environmental activity or effort and associated work products related to an environmental goal or objective that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during a grant funding period.
Pre-Proposal or Proposal: A solicited or unsolicited bid, application, request, invitation to consider or similar communication by or on behalf of a person seeking to participate or to receive a benefit, directly or indirectly, in or under a covered transaction.
Project Grants: The funding, for fixed or known periods, of specific projects. Project grants can include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants, traineeships, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants, and construction grants.
Project Officer: The Project Officer (P.O.) is the program's technical staff member who is responsible for monitoring progress on the project, providing technical assistance to the recipient, and working with the Grants Specialist within the Grants Management Office to assure that the recipient adheres to all applicable regulations and terms and conditions on a project. Responsibilities also include working with the Grants Management Office to assure a timely closeout of the project.
State: Any of the several states of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of a state exclusive of local governments.