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The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program

The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and tribal level to support  government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.

Model EJG2G programs should leverage existing resources to develop processes or tools that integrate environmental justice considerations into governmental decision-making at all levels. Formerly known as EPA's State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement Program (SEJCA), this program has been renamed to better reflect the spectrum of entities eligible for this funding.

The EJG2G program goals are to:

  1.  Achieve measurable and meaningful environmental and/or public health results in communities;
  2. build broad and robust, results-oriented partnerships, particularly with community-based nonprofit organizations (CBO) within disproportionately impacted areas;
  3. pilot activities in specific communities that create transferable models, which can be expanded or replicated in other geographic areas and;  
  4. strengthen the development and implementation of meaningful approaches to achieve environmental justice.
On this page:

Is My Organization Eligible? 

 Eligible entities include: 

  • A state in partnership with a community-based nonprofit organization
  • A Tribe in partnership with a community-based nonprofit organization
  • A local government in partnership with a community-based nonprofit organization
  • US Territories, Freely Associated States, and tribal governments in remote areas

If your organization is NOT eligible, we encourage you to partner with other eligible entities on a EJG2G project. More information available in the Request for Applications (RFA) summary below.

Request for Applications

The 2023 EJ Government-to-Government Program (EJG2G) Request for Applications is NOW OPEN and has been amended!  Deadline extended until April 14, 2023.

 EPA is soliciting applications for projects that transform overburdened and underserved communities into healthy, thriving communities capable of addressing the environmental and public health challenges they have historically faced, as well as current and future challenges. Applications must show successful partnerships with community-based nonprofit organizations (CBOs) and other stakeholders (e.g., local businesses and industry, medical service providers, academia, etc.) to develop solutions that will significantly address disproportionate environmental and public health harms related to pollution and climate change at the state and local level.

This competition is being launched in order to meet the goals and objectives of two Executive Orders (EO 14008 and EO 13985) issued by the Biden Administration that demonstrate the EPA’s and Administration’s commitment to achieving environmental justice and embedding environmental justice into Agency programs. 

The EJG2G Program anticipates awarding approximately $70,000,000 of funding through 70 cooperative agreements nationwide, organized in four tracks of funding as follows:  

  • $20,000,000 annual appropriations for States partnering with CBOs proposing projects for up to $1 million each. Approximately 20 awards for up to 1 million each are anticipated under this track.
  • $20,000,000 of Inflation Reduction Act appropriations for tribal governments partnering with CBOs proposing projects for up to $1 million each. Approximately 20 awards for up to 1 million each are anticipated under this track.
  • $20,000,000 of Inflation Reduction Act appropriations for local governments partnering with CBOs proposing projects for up to $1 million each. Approximately 20 awards for up to 1 million each are anticipated under this track.
  • $10,000,000 annual appropriations for U.S. Territories, Freely Associated States, Puerto Rico, and tribes in remote areas proposing projects for up to $1 million each. Approximately 10 awards for up to 1 million each are anticipated under this track.

Cooperative agreements will be funded for a three-year performance period. 

Note on Inflation Reduction Act Appropriations: EPA cannot extend the performance periods for EJG2G assistance agreements utilizing Inflation Reduction Act fundings beyond three years. Consistent with section 138(b)(2) of the Clean Air Act, applications submitted in response to this funding opportunity that will receive an award must address one of the following five broad categories:   

  • community-led air and other pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation, and investments in low- and zero-emission and resilient technologies and related infrastructure and workforce development that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants;  
  • mitigating climate and health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions, and wildfire events; 
  • climate resiliency and adaptation; 
  • reducing indoor toxics and indoor air pollution; or   
  • facilitating engagement of marginalized communities in Local, State and Federal public processes, such as advisory groups, workshops, and rulemakings. 

Review the Amended EJG2G Request for Applications for specific guidance and eligible project examples. (pdf) (814.5 KB)

Description of Changes to EJG2G Request for Applications. (pdf) (144.44 KB)

To apply for this opportunity, view the RFA on Grants.gov.  Applications packages must be submitted on or before April 14, 2023 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). Applicants should plan for projects to begin on December 1, 2023.

For more information, please contact Omari Burrell.

Informational Video on the Environmental and Climate Justice Communities Grants Program

Pre-Application Assistance Calls & Webinars 

 Applicants are invited to participate in webinars with EPA to address questions about the EJG2G Program and this solicitation.  A recording of each webinar will be posted in this section for those who cannot attend the live webinars and for reference purposes when preparing applications. 

EJG2G Live Webinar: Applicants may ask general questions about this RFA.   

January 26, 2023
2:00 - 3:30 pm Eastern

February 7, 2023
2:00 - 3:30 pm Eastern

Additional assistance webinars and calls may be scheduled. Details will be posted here and sent out by the EPA-EJ Listserv and the EPA Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights Twitter account.

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Last updated on March 22, 2023