Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP)

Overview

In 1992, Congress passed the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act. This act authorized EPA to provide General Assistance Program (GAP) grants to federally recognized tribes and tribal consortia for planning, developing and establishing environmental protection programs in Indian country, and for developing and implementing solid and hazardous waste programs on tribal lands.

The goal of GAP is to assist tribes and intertribal consortia in developing the capacity to manage their own environmental protection programs and to develop and implement solid and hazardous waste programs in accordance with individual tribal needs and applicable federal laws and regulations.

FY 2023 GAP National Notice of Funding Availability NOFA

The Notice of Funding Available (NOFA) invites proposals for Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) grants for Fiscal Year 2023 to fund work plans beginning on or after October 1, 2023. The goal of the NOFA is to streamline the GAP application process nationally. The national NOFA is in response to input received in consultation with tribes to reduce administration burden and improve consistency in how EPA administers GAP.

Fiscal Year 2023 Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) National Notice of Funding Availability (National NOFA) (pdf) (720.18 KB, November 29, 2022)

2022 Indian General Assistance Program(GAP) Guidance Supporting Documents

2020 GAP Guidance Evaluation - Phase I

One of the Office of International and Tribal Affairs’ (OITA) priorities for FY19 is the ongoing evaluation of the current guidance for administering financial assistance to tribes and intertribal consortia under GAP (the 2013 GAP Guidance). The GAP Guidance Evaluation will conclude with OITA’s issuance of revised national guidance. This work is currently underway and more information regarding the GAP Guidance Evaluation can be found in this section.

2021 GAP Guidance Evaluation - Phase II

Tribal Participation Opportunities Flyer (pdf) (174.82 KB)
Notification of Consultation and Coordination on the National Allocation of Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Funding (pdf) (322.74 KB)
National GAP Allocation Information Webinar August 3, 2021 (pdf) (287.19 KB)
GAP Consultation & Coordination Activity Calendar (pdf) (107.27 KB)
National Allocation of GAP Funds Tribal Comment Summary (pdf) (266.34 KB)
AIEO Response to National Allocation of GAP Consultation Comments (pdf) (190.14 KB)

Consultation on Proposed Changes to the National Allocation of GAP

Following the feedback received from Tribes during the 2021 GAP Guidance Evaluation - Phase II tribal consultation, AIEO is proposing changes to the national allocation of GAP funds. This consultation is running concurrently with the Consultation on the Draft 2022 Guidance and will be applied to the 2023 GAP appropriations.

Notification of Consultation and Coordination on Proposed Changes to the National Allocation of GAP Funding (pdf) (228.29 KB, 04/04/2022)

Consultation on the Draft 2022 GAP Guidance

EPA is initiating consultation and coordination with federally recognized Tribes to receive input on the Draft 2022 Guidance on the Award and Management of Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Assistance Agreements for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia (2022 GAP Guidance). When final, the 2022 GAP Guidance will replace the 2013 GAP Guidance and will be effective for negotiating and awarding GAP financial assistance agreements.

Draft 2022 GAP Guidance Consultation Notification
Executive Summary of Changes in the DRAFT 2022 GAP Guidance (pdf) (164.7 KB)
Draft 2022 GAP Guidance (pdf) (1.4 MB)
Indicators (pdf) (374.65 KB)
Technical Assistance Pathways Clean Air Chapter (pdf) (345.39 KB)

Historical GAP Funding

Since GAP was established, Congress has appropriated annual national program funding. Historical funding levels are displayed below.

Historical Funding for the General Assistance Program (GAP)