Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Grants Competition Questions and Answers

All additional questions received about the EFC grants competition and answers to those questions will be posted here. All questions must be submitted in writing. For more information, see the EFC Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) (PDF) (21 pp, 202K).

Recent Questions

To my understanding, the Environmental Finance Center Grant Program (FON: EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01) is a new program, however, I was wondering if you anticipate this program to be highly competitive or have a rough estimate of how many applications will be submitted for funding. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
I am an experienced financial professional, adjunct professor of finance, and currently developing models for the solar industry…
How can I participate in this program as an educator?
I’m writing to clarify which forms you need for the application package. I see on page 11 the specific forms listed and then on page 9 the links you take to another list.
There is some overlap, but I wanted to make sure I didn’t leave out any forms.
My question is: do we only need the forms listed on page 11 or those forms plus any others from the page 9 link (checklist, form 6600-06, and form 5700-53)?
I understand that non-profits and government organizations can apply for these grants, but do applicants have to be an Environmental Finance Center? What does that mean anyway?
Our organization is a non-profit that works with local governments (city and county municipalities) to coordinate efforts in a variety of government functions, including watershed, water quality, and wastewater management. Would we be eligible to apply for funds?
Re: the budget requirements for the EFC Grant Application
a. Do we need to submit a six-year budget? Can it be one very specific year’s budget and five more general annual budgets?
b. When we break the budget down by tasks, do we need to break out individuals and salaries within each task?
c. Can we include technology in the budget?
Page 1 gives guidance about how much the awards are for and for what time periods, but I'm still a bit unclear - am I describing projects for 5 years or just for the first year? The text seems to suggest it's just for year 1 projects. This works fine for me, but I want to make sure. If we'll be scored on outcomes/outputs and other things based on 5 years of productivity, I would modify my approach accordingly.
If it is for just year 1 programming as I think, could you comment on whether I should at least mention anything we might do in years 2-5, and if so where in the narrative you think this might fit? The RFP doesn't seem very clear about this at all. My current approach is to constrain it entirely to year 1, and for the few projects where it looks like it will continue past 1 year, to give a bit of a vision for what we'd like the projects to become. Does this sound on the mark?
I am curious if my exciting new project would qualify for your programs/grants. Please review –
These brief statements do not include the in-depth value to: education, community, environmental, sustainable, and health.
SW Minneapolis, 1200 Sq Ft retail space for growth of Kasia Organic Salon.
Kasia Organic Salon will start a prospective build out in late July/August 2009
5 Year small business GROWING into first Brick and Morter Organic Salon Space.
Will Employ 6-8 young women staff, as well as training.
Kasia Salon will be built within sustainable alternatives, low emf, and internal recycling programs.
This application is to find grant programs in Minneapolis for small businesses/women/minority and/or a GREEN, SUSTAINABLE, "ECO" BUILD OUT.
The salon has a message of truth, natural, and to tell a story. To bring in this concept will be a bridge to other salons and small businesses to do the same thing.
This build out grant will hold down costs, help eliminate environmental toxins, and stand within our mission of an ammonia free/odor free and non toxic salon.
We, as Educators, have formed a Creative Partnership and have written a proposal for building “Green” on free and clear property. This will provide a premise to educate students on the building site. In conjunction with them being on the building site, their didactic will be given in Math, English, and comprehension. This is an innovative idea based on previous studies done in the UK and was supported by their government. We have the permission and support from the high school Principal where the targeted ‘at risk students’ would make up the participants of the program.
Our question is; does your organization fund this type of project? If not funding for the entire program, is there one aspect of it that you would fund?
We were recently apprised of the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Request for Applications (EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01), and are in the process of assembling our application materials.
Because of the late date, we were wondering if you would be willing to share a budget from one of the existing EFCs? It would greatly help us understand how successful EFCs have used grant dollars.
Under the EFC Grants Competition, would we be competing with existing Environmental Finance Centers who have been establishing themselves for several years? The question is whether the plans is to expand the number of centers, or to somehow build regional capacity.
Page 9, item 4, of the RFA states that "Individual projects covering more than one EPA region will be rejected." Does this mean that applications for funding an International Environmental Finance Center (which would provide information and lessons learned to all regions) will not be considered?
My question is, may we establish an "Environmental Finance Center" before we receive grant funding? Must we wait until after the award and why?
If the Application for Federal Assistance is subject to review by State under EO 12372, do you expect the applicant to include letters of review/approval with the application package or is it sufficient to have made the application available to the State?
Must all of the budget be included in the 20 page limit?
I wanted to inquire about the RFA for the Environmental Finance Center Grant Program. I work for the Milken Institute, a non-profit economic think tank in Santa Monica. We are a 501 c3 research institute, with a center that focuses on environmental finance, Strategic Action Volunteer Network (SAVE). The energy services initiative of SAVE works to accelerate the adoption of clean, energy-efficient technologies through innovative business models. We also, through our Center for Financial Innovations, hold a series of workshops that explore and develop economic solutions to social problems, including various environmental issues from updating the grid to green building. Because of this work, we established a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Agriculture, to explore financial mechanisms that can be created to generate capital into renewable energy sources.
I have read through your RFA, and wanted to confirm that we would qualify as a Environmental Finance Center. I realize that most applicants will be universities that either have a research center, or will use the grant to establish one. As such, I wanted to make sure this was something that we, as a research institute, could apply for. Alternately, we do have working relationships with a few universities, including the University of California, Davis, if you think that it would be best to apply as a joint venture.
… Cleveland State University is planning to submit a proposal under RFA Number EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01. … (Cleveland State University) also is a current awardee under Cooperative Agreement …
My question is about what type of application we should select on SF424. Based on the definition of "new" and "continuation" contained in the instructions for SF424, I am not sure how to classify this application for a new 6-year period. If this proposal is considered a "renewal," we would select "Continuation." If not, we would select "New." Please clarify.
– we are preparing a proposal for the Environmental Finance Center Grant Program, RFA# EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01, and have a question in filling out the Budget Information, line 1(a). We are to include there the “catalog program title."
Question – is that the same as the RFA #? If not, what should we use? Thanks for your help.
Under the evaluation criteria listed on page 17, it is noted that under Project/Summary Approach (i) we are asked to include a well-conceived strategy for addressing all of the goals, objectives and requirements in Section I, Part B (project Overview and Scope of Work) of this announcement.
While there are goals and objectives described in the EPA strategic plan, we are too only address those goals, objectives and requirements that are discussed but not specifically listed in the narrative section of Section I, Part B (project Overview and Scope of Work), correct? And address our project's relation to the Strategic Plan in the next section of the Evaluation Criteria?
It seems that the only potential objectives listed in narrative Section I, Part B section are only finance related i.e. assist the regulated communities in lowering the costs of environmental protection; increasing environmental investments. There do not seem to be any discussion of objectives on the environmental side of the EFC?
Or are we supposed to be developing our own language for goals and objectives?

General Questions

What is the type of funding provided?
What is the amount of funding available?
What entities are eligible to receive awards/funding?
How many awards will EPA make under this RFA?
What is the project period for awards resulting from this RFA?
How do I obtain an application package?
In what modes/formats must applications be submitted?
What is the deadline for application submission?
Where and to whom must applications be submitted?
How may I submit questions regarding the RFA??

Recent Questions

1. To my understanding, the Environmental Finance Center Grant Program (FON: EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01) is a new program, however, I was wondering if you anticipate this program to be highly competitive or have a rough estimate of how many applications will be submitted for funding. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

EPA has operated an Environmental Finance Center Program funded by grants for a number of years. However, the competitive funding opportunity, FON: EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01, for the Environmental Finance Center Grant Program is new.

EPA does not know whether or not this program will be highly competitive, nor does it have any information or estimate as to how many applications will be submitted in response to this funding opportunity. The Agency hopes that the competition will be highly competitive with it receiving many high quality applications.

2. I am an experienced financial professional, adjunct professor of finance, and currently developing models for the solar industry…
How can I participate in this program as an educator?

If you are interested in participating and/or obtaining employment in the Environmental Finance Center Grant Program, you will need to contact the successful applicants after they are selected and announced. EPA does not direct grantees on who to hire with grant funds. EPA plans to post the names of the winners of the RFA competitive opportunity on its website at http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/efcgrants/index.htm by no later than September 30, 2009.

3. I’m writing to clarify which forms you need for the application package. I see on page 11 the specific forms listed and then on page 9 the links you take to another list.
There is some overlap, but I wanted to make sure I didn’t leave out any forms.
My question is: do we only need the forms listed on page 11 or those forms plus any others from the page 9 link (checklist, form 6600-06, and form 5700-53)?

You only need to submit the grant application forms listed in Section IV.C of the solicitation (page 11) along with the Narrative Proposal. The website link provided under Section IV.A of the solicitation (page9) allows you to access and download the required grant application forms listed on page 11.

4. I understand that non-profits and government organizations can apply for these grants, but do applicants have to be an Environmental Finance Center? What does that mean anyway?
Our organization is a non-profit that works with local governments (city and county municipalities) to coordinate efforts in a variety of government functions, including watershed, water quality, and wastewater management. Would we be eligible to apply for funds?

Applicants do not have to be Environmental Finance Centers to apply for grants under this solicitation. Rather, applicants are applying for grants under this solicitation to be Environmental Finance Centers.

As stated in Section III.A of the solicitation, eligible entities for this solicitation include non-profit organizations

Non-profit organization, as defined by 2 CFR Part 230, means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization which: (1) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest; (2) is not organized primarily for profit; and (3) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or expand its operations. For this purpose, the term "non-profit organization" excludes (i) colleges and universities; (ii) hospitals; (iii) state, local, and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; and (iv) those non-profit organizations which are excluded from coverage of this part in accordance with § 230.20(c).

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.

If your organization qualifies as a non-profit within this definition, then it would be eligible to apply for funding under this solicitation.

5. Re: the budget requirements for the EFC Grant Application
a. Do we need to submit a six-year budget? Can it be one very specific year’s budget and five more general annual budgets?
b. When we break the budget down by tasks, do we need to break out individuals and salaries within each task?
c. Can we include technology in the budget?

a. Yes. We need enough information to determine whether the proposed project budget is appropriate to accomplish the proposed goals, objectives and measurable environmental outcomes over the entire six-year grant award period.
Practically, we expect that the first year’s budget information will be the most detailed, with budget information for subsequent years gradually becoming more general.
b. We need enough information to evaluate whether the applicant’s proposed budget is appropriate to accomplish the proposed goals, objectives, and measurable environmental outcomes and whether the budget provides an approximation of the percentage of the budget designated for each major activity. (please refer to Section V.A, Evaluation Criterion 5(i), of the RFA).
c. Any information that helps an applicant successfully address the evaluation criteria strengthens their proposal.

6. Page 1 gives guidance about how much the awards are for and for what time periods, but I'm still a bit unclear - am I describing projects for 5 years or just for the first year? The text seems to suggest it's just for year 1 projects. This works fine for me, but I want to make sure. If we'll be scored on outcomes/outputs and other things based on 5 years of productivity, I would modify my approach accordingly.
If it is for just year 1 programming as I think, could you comment on whether I should at least mention anything we might do in years 2-5, and if so where in the narrative you think this might fit? The RFP doesn't seem very clear about this at all. My current approach is to constrain it entirely to year 1, and for the few projects where it looks like it will continue past 1 year, to give a bit of a vision for what we'd like the projects to become. Does this sound on the mark?

Section II.A of the RFA provides guidance on the maximum possible funding for all awards over the six-year project period, FY 2010-2015, and on the maximum possible funding for all awards in FY 2010. Applications should describe proposed projects covering the six-year period. We need enough information to determine whether the proposed project budget is appropriate to accomplish the proposed goals, objectives and measurable environmental outcomes. Practically, we expect that the first year’s budget information will be the most detailed, with budget information for subsequent years gradually becoming more general.

7. I am curious if my exciting new project would qualify for your programs/grants. Please review –
These brief statements do not include the in-depth value to: education, community, environmental, sustainable, and health.
SW Minneapolis, 1200 Sq Ft retail space for growth of Kasia Organic Salon.
Kasia Organic Salon will start a prospective build out in late July/August 2009
5 Year small business GROWING into first Brick and Morter Organic Salon Space.
Will Employ 6-8 young women staff, as well as training.
Kasia Salon will be built within sustainable alternatives, low emf, and internal recycling programs.
This application is to find grant programs in Minneapolis for small businesses/women/minority and/or a GREEN, SUSTAINABLE, "ECO" BUILD OUT. The salon has a message of truth, natural, and to tell a story. To bring in this concept will be a bridge to other salons and small businesses to do the same thing.
This build out grant will hold down costs, help eliminate environmental toxins, and stand within our mission of an ammonia free/odor free and non toxic salon.

Your e-mail has been referred to the EPA Environmental Finance Center Grant Program competition for response. The Request for Applications (RFA Number EPA-OCFO-CEF-01) announcing this competitive funding opportunity describes the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible entities for the creation of Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs). EFCs provide multi-media environmental finance expertise and outreach to regulated parties (states, tribes, local governments, and the private sector) to help them meet environmental requirements.

Eligible entities for this grant competition include public and private non-profit universities and colleges and non-profit organizations as described in Section III.A. of the RFA. EFCs created under this program will provide regulated parties with finance-related training, technical assistance, finance studies, and other analytical support (eligible services) to help them develop solutions to the critical "how-to-pay" issues associated with meeting environmental goals. The EFCs will educate regulated parties on lowering costs, increasing investments, improving financial capacity, encouraging full cost pricing, and identifying and evaluating financing options.

Please refer to the RFA for a full description of this Environmental Finance Center Grant Program competitive opportunity, including all necessary application information.

8. We, as Educators, have formed a Creative Partnership and have written a proposal for building “Green” on free and clear property. This will provide a premise to educate students on the building site. In conjunction with them being on the building site, their didactic will be given in Math, English, and comprehension. This is an innovative idea based on previous studies done in the UK and was supported by their government. We have the permission and support from the high school Principal where the targeted ‘at risk students’ would make up the participants of the program.
Our question is; does your organization fund this type of project? If not funding for the entire program, is there one aspect of it that you would fund?

You have reached the Question and Answer site for the EPA Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Grant Program competition announced by Request for Applications Number: EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01. This program and competition support the creation of EFCs that provide multi-media environmental finance expertise and outreach to regulated parties (states, tribes, local governments, and the private sector) to help them meet environmental requirements

The project that you describe does not appear to pertain to this grant competition. However, the Federal Government has many assistance programs available to help many different types of individual and groups. A full listing of those programs can be found in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) located at https://www.cfda.gov. The CFDA has information on all of EPA’s assistance programs as well as those of other Federal Agencies.

9. We were recently apprised of the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Request for Applications (EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01), and are in the process of assembling our application materials.
Because of the late date, we were wondering if you would be willing to share a budget from one of the existing EFCs? It would greatly help us understand how successful EFCs have used grant dollars.

We cannot provide you with someone’s budget as an example for your use. However, there is relevant information on the EPA website. “Tips on Writing a Grant Proposal” located at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/recipient/tips.htm includes guidance on preparing a budget. If you have any specific questions regarding the Request for Applications, please feel free to raise them.

10. Under the EFC Grants Competition, would we be competing with existing Environmental Finance Centers who have been establishing themselves for several years? The question is whether the plans is to expand the number of centers, or to somehow build regional capacity.

Under the EFC Grants Program grants competition, you will be competing with whoever applies. This could include Environmental Finance Centers that were funded in the past.

However, for the six-year period, FY 2010-2015, the only EFCs supported by EPA will be those who receive awards and funding under this competitive opportunity. As stated in the RFA, EPA may award up to ten cooperative agreements subject to the quality of applications received and the availability of funds. Furthermore, while EPA will seek to achieve the broadest possible coverage of EFC services across the nation, there is no guarantee that there will be an award covering each EPA region and there may be multiple awards in any EPA region(s).

11. Page 9, item 4, of the RFA states that "Individual projects covering more than one EPA region will be rejected." Does this mean that applications for funding an International Environmental Finance Center (which would provide information and lessons learned to all regions) will not be considered?

The Environmental Finance Center Grant Program does not have the statutory authority to fund international projects. Therefore no award could be made for an International Environmental Finance Center under this competitive opportunity, RFA Number: EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01. Any application for funding an International Environmental Finance Center will not be considered.

12. My question is, may we establish an "Environmental Finance Center" before we receive grant funding? Must we wait until after the award and why?

Anyone may establish an Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at any time with their own funds. EPA is only providing funding for EFCs to organizations that successfully compete for funding under an award under this competitive opportunity (RFA NUMBER: EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01). Applicants may incur costs to establish an RFC prior to an award in anticipation of receiving EPA funds but they do so at their own risk. EPA will not reimburse an applicant for these costs if the Agency does not award the applicant funding. See 40 CFR 30.25(f).

13. If the Application for Federal Assistance is subject to review by State under EO 12372, do you expect the applicant to include letters of review/approval with the application package or is it sufficient to have made the application available to the State?

Only applicants selected for funding are required to provide a copy of their application to their State Single Point of Contact for review pursuant to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. As indicated in Section VI., Subsection B., Administrative and National Policy Requirements, Number 2 initial applications submitted under the RFA need not be submitted to the state. Successful applicants must provide a copy of their application to their state for review following notification by EPA that their proposal has been selected. Under 40 CFR 29.8, EPA must provide states with 60 days to comment on the application. Successful applicants who receive letters from states documenting the results of the state's review may provide those letters to EPA prior to the expiration of the 60 day period to expedite the award process.

Please note that not all states have intergovernmental review procedures.

14. Must all of the budget be included in the 20 page limit?

All information submitted should be responsive to the requirements of the RFP. For guidance on the content of the application package submission (including budget information), please refer to Section IV. C. of the RFP.

Budget information requested in the Narrative Proposal (which is comprised of the Summary Information Page, the Narrative Proposal Work-Plan, and the Detailed Budget Narrative) must be provided within the maximum 20 single-spaced typewritten page limit.

The completion of Standard Form 424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs falls outside the Narrative Proposal and its twenty page limit.

15. I wanted to inquire about the RFA for the Environmental Finance Center Grant Program. I work for the Milken Institute, a non-profit economic think tank in Santa Monica. We are a 501 c3 research institute, with a center that focuses on environmental finance, Strategic Action Volunteer Network (SAVE). The energy services initiative of SAVE works to accelerate the adoption of clean, energy-efficient technologies through innovative business models. We also, through our Center for Financial Innovations, hold a series of workshops that explore and develop economic solutions to social problems, including various environmental issues from updating the grid to green building. Because of this work, we established a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Agriculture, to explore financial mechanisms that can be created to generate capital into renewable energy sources.
I have read through your RFA, and wanted to confirm that we would qualify as a Environmental Finance Center. I realize that most applicants will be universities that either have a research center, or will use the grant to establish one. As such, I wanted to make sure this was something that we, as a research institute, could apply for. Alternately, we do have working relationships with a few universities, including the University of California, Davis, if you think that it would be best to apply as a joint venture.

The Milken Instiution as a non profit organization is eligible to apply for funding under this announcement. Please see Section III. A. of the RFA entitled, Eligible Entities. We do not have a preference for the type of eligible entity that an applicant may be, only that it be an eligible entity. Further, as noted in Section IV D. of the RFA, EPA does not make awards to "joint ventures". Your organization can partner with another eligible organization as a subrecipient but the Agency only awards grants to a single eligible entity.

16. … Cleveland State University is planning to submit a proposal under RFA Number EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01. … (Cleveland State University) also is a current awardee under Cooperative Agreement …
My question is about what type of application we should select on SF424. Based on the definition of "new" and "continuation" contained in the instructions for SF424, I am not sure how to classify this application for a new 6-year period. If this proposal is considered a "renewal," we would select "Continuation." If not, we would select "New." Please clarify.

For any application that you may submit under RFA Number: EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01, you would select “New” for the type of application when filling out Standard Form SF424, Application for Federal Assistance.

17. – we are preparing a proposal for the Environmental Finance Center Grant Program, RFA# EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01, and have a question in filling out the Budget Information, line 1(a). We are to include there the “catalog program title.
Question – is that the same as the RFA #? If not, what should we use? Thanks for your help.

No. The catalog program title is not the same as the RFA #.

The catalogue program title is the name or title of the program as it appears in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). For this competitive opportunity, RFA Number: EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01, the catalog or CFDA program title is Environmental Finance Center Grants and the catalog or CFDA Number is 66.203.

17. Under the evaluation criteria listed on page 17, it is noted that under Project/Summary Approach (i) we are asked to include a well-conceived strategy for addressing all of the goals, objectives and requirements in Section I, Part B (project Overview and Scope of Work) of this announcement.
While there are goals and objectives described in the EPA strategic plan, we are too only address those goals, objectives and requirements that are discussed but not specifically listed in the narrative section of Section I, Part B (project Overview and Scope of Work), correct? And address our project's relation to the Strategic Plan in the next section of the Evaluation Criteria?
It seems that the only potential objectives listed in narrative Section I, Part B section are only finance related i.e. assist the regulated communities in lowering the costs of environmental protection; increasing environmental investments. There do not seem to be any discussion of objectives on the environmental side of the EFC?
Or are we supposed to be developing our own language for goals and objectives?

The goals, objectives, requirements, and/or priorities in the RFA should be addressed in the application. Additional goals and objectives can be provided in applications but should be directly related to meeting the evaluation criteria provided in Section V. Part A. of the RFA. The criteria in Section V. Part A. need to be explicitly addressed as part of any application package submittal. Applications received from eligible entities that meet the threshold criteria in Section III. of the RFA will be rated on the evaluation criteria in Section V. Part A. The two criteria that you reference are reviewed below.

Under criterion 1. Project Summary/Approach, EPA will evaluate the extent and quality to which the application and narrative proposal includes a well-conceived strategy for addressing all of the goals, objectives and requirements in Section I, Part B (Project Overview and Scope of Work) of this announcement; and demonstrates how the proposed project will address the priorities listed in Section I, Part B (Project Overview and Scope of Work).

Under criterion 2. Environmental Results—Outcomes and Outputs, EPA will evaluate the effectiveness of the applicant’s plan for tracking and measuring its progress toward achieving expected project outputs and outcomes, including those identified in Section I, Part C (EPA Strategic Plan Linkage and Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes).

Other Questions

1. What is the type of funding provided?

The funding for selected projects will be provided in the form of a cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements permit substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officers and the selected applicants in the performance of the work supported. Although EPA will negotiate precise terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated substantial Federal involvement for this project will include:

in accordance with 40 CFR 31.36(g), review of proposed procurement;
approving qualifications of key personnel (EPA will not select employees or contractors employed by the award recipient);
participation in planning meetings;
consultations when problems or difficulties are encountered;
collaboration during performance of the scope of work;
close monitoring of the successful applicant’s performance to verify the results proposed by the applicant;
review and comment on reports prepared under the cooperative agreement (the final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient).

2. What is the amount of funding available?

The total estimated funding available for awards made under this competitive opportunity over the six year period from FY 2010 to FY 2015 shall not exceed $24 million. In FY 2010, total funding for all awards made, however many that may be, shall not exceed $4 million.

Top of page

3. What entities are eligible to receive awards/funding?

In accordance with CFDA 66.203, applications will be accepted from public and private non-profit universities and colleges and non-profit organizations subject to 2 CFR Part 215 and 40 CFR Part 30, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-Profit Organizations (11/19/1993) (further amended 09/30/1999), 2 CFR Part 220, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions, and 2 CFR Part 230, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations (05/10/2004).

To be eligible for funding under this announcement, an educational institution must be public (e.g. state, tribal, or municipal colleges and universities) or a private college or university that is recognized by a governmental body as a non-profit or not-for-profit entity. Proprietary, commercial or other “for profit” schools, colleges or universities are not eligible to apply for funding under this announcement.

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.

4. How many awards will EPA make under this RFA?

While EPA will seek to achieve the broadest possible coverage of EFC eligible services across the nation, the number of applications that EPA awards under this announcement/competition will depend on the number and quality of the applications received and evaluated.

Within this context, EPA may award up to ten cooperative agreements with funding amounts subject to the availability of funds, number of awards made, and other applicable considerations. However, EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no award as a result of this announcement or to make fewer than ten awards. EPA further reserves the right to fund one or more awards in a region or no awards in a region. If additional funding becomes available after the original selections, EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy. Additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of original selections.

5. What is the project period for awards resulting from this RFA?

The estimated project period for awards resulting from this competitive solicitation is October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2015. All project activities must be completed within negotiated activity performance periods within this overall project period.

Top of page

6. How do I obtain an application package?

Applicants may download individual grant application forms from EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment website at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm or http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm

To obtain a hard copy of materials, please send an email or written request to the Agency contact listed in Section VII of this announcement.

7. In what modes/formats must applications be submitted?

Applicants have the option to submit their applications in one of two ways: 1) Hard copy via express delivery to the specified EPA contact below, or 2) electronically through e-mail to the specified EPA contact below. Applications will not be accepted via fax or standard 1st class mail delivery by U.S. Postal Service. All applications must be prepared, and include the information, as described in Section IV.C., “Content of Application,” regardless of mode of transmission.

1) Hard Copy Submission

Please provide one original of the complete application package as described below in Section C (including signed and completed SF 424 and SF 424A forms) and four copies--no binders or spiral binding--to:

Hard Copy via Express Delivery (FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS etc.)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ATTN: Timothy McProuty
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Center for Environmental Finance
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Ronald Reagan Building – Room 81264
Washington, DC 20460

Hard Copy Application Submission Deadline

All hard copies of application packages must be received by Timothy McProuty no later than July 15, 2009 at 4:30 PM, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

2) E-mail Submission

E-mail submissions must be submitted to Timothy McProuty via efcgrant@epa.gov and received by the submission deadline stated in Section IV.F of this announcement (July 15, 2009 at 4:30PM, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). All required documents listed in Section IV.C of this announcement must be attached to the e-mail as separate Adobe PDF files. Please note that if you choose to submit your materials via e-mail, you are accepting all risks attendant to e-mail submission including server delays. E-mail submissions exceeding 15MG will experience delays and may not be received on time by the Agency. For these size submissions, applicants should submit their application materials via hardcopy or else they may be received late and not considered for funding.

8. What is the deadline for application submission??

The closing date and time for receipt of applications pursuant to this notice is July 15, 2009 at 4:30 PM, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). All hard copies of application packages must be received by the EPA contact, Timothy McProuty, by that date and time in order to be considered for funding. All electronic submissions of applications packages must be received via efcgrant@epa.gov by July 15, 2009 at 4:30 PM, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to be considered for funding. Applications of any type received after the closing date and time will not be considered for funding. See Section IV of the RFA for further submission information.

Top of page

9. Where and to whom must applications be submitted?

See the answer to question 7.

10. How may I submit questions regarding the RFA?

All questions or comments must be communicated in writing via postal mail or e-mail to the contact person, Timothy McProuty, listed below. Questions, comments, and answers will be posted until the closing date of this announcement on this page . For all questions and comments received by EPA pursuant to this notice, the goal will be to post the questions, comments, and answers on this website within 48 hours of receipt.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ATTN: Timothy McProuty (Mail Code: 2731R)
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Center for Environmental Finance
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
efcgrant@epa.gov

Top of page

For assistance please contact the EFIN Librarian.

Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Grants Competition Questions and Answers

Recent Questions

General Questions

Recent Questions

Other Questions

Local Navigation