Can current project qualify? Or does project work need to begin after award?

The EN Grant Program does not fund pre-award projects (this is an explicit cost restriction of the program, as outlined within Section 2A(i) of the Solicitation Notice). Work cannot begin with EPA funding until after award.

The projects that applicants are submitting would have to begin at or after a start date of the October 1st, following grant award. This is unfortunately true even for awards that are delayed due to short-staffing or other issues on EPA’s side.