The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting applications for FY25 Community-Wide Assessment Grants for States and Tribes to support the identification, inventory, and initial planning for the cleanup and reuse of brownfield sites. These sites, impacted by the potential presence of hazardous materials, often hinder community redevelopment efforts. Funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program aims to advance environmental justice and climate resilience goals in alignment with the EPA’s strategic objectives. The EPA expects to award 18 grants totaling approximately $36 million, with individual awards ranging from $1 million to $2 million. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by November 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

This program supports state agencies and Tribal Nations, including Intertribal Consortia and certain Alaska Native entities. Applicants can request up to $2 million to conduct brownfield site assessments, community engagement, and site planning. Funds may also cover costs for community involvement activities, developing site reuse plans, environmental assessments, and planning for brownfield cleanup. However, grant funds cannot be used for actual cleanup efforts. Applicants are required to assess a minimum of ten sites during the project period, prioritizing at least three specific areas and five priority sites, with at least one site per target area.

EPA encourages projects that consider both environmental justice and climate resilience by focusing on disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. The program aligns with the Justice40 Initiative, aiming to channel 40% of certain federal investments into underserved areas. Applications will be evaluated on how well the proposed projects demonstrate environmental and social benefits to these communities, support equitable redevelopment, and promote climate adaptation and resilience strategies.

Funds can be used for allowable programmatic management expenses, community engagement, and environmental assessments. Specific uses include participant support costs, such as travel and childcare expenses for community meeting attendees, and stipends for community liaisons involved in the project. In addition, up to 10% of grant funds may be allocated to health monitoring for populations exposed to contaminants from brownfield sites, with prior EPA approval. Ineligible costs include expenses related to federal law compliance outside of cleanup, penalties, fines, and lobbying.

Eligible applicants must submit a complete application through Grants.gov, including a Narrative Information Sheet and a detailed Narrative. The application must outline the applicant's plan for community engagement, target areas, priority sites, and strategies for equitable redevelopment. Applicants must also meet threshold criteria, including confirmation that they have no more than one open assessment grant with less than 60% of the funds drawn down by October 1, 2024. Documentation to support applicant eligibility and compliance with procurement and subrecipient requirements must also be included.

Successful applicants will enter into a cooperative agreement with the EPA, which will provide substantial oversight to ensure compliance with program goals. This may include project monitoring, EPA participation in project activities, review of Quality Assurance Project Plans, and approval of contractor procurements exceeding $250,000. Award decisions are expected to be made within six months after the submission deadline, and projects may extend up to five years.

To apply, applicants must have a System for Award Management (SAM) account, a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and be registered on Grants.gov. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their submissions comply with EPA guidelines, including the page limits and content specifications outlined in the application package instructions.