Grant Community.com

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE

66.710:  Environmental Justice Community/University Partnership Grants Program

Popular Name:  EJCUP

Objectives:  To provide financial assistance to community-based groups and tribal governments to support projects that seek to effectively address local environmental justice issues through active partnerships with any institution of higher education. The Universities/Colleges shall support affected environmental justice community groups and American Indian tribes who engage in or plan to carry out projects that address environmental justice issues. The main objective of this grants program is to link community residence/organizations and tribes with their neighboring or affiliated academic institutions to forge partnerships to address local environmental and public health concerns.

PROGRAM AND AWARD FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS


66.710 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Participation is limited to institutions of higher education, including Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges (TCs), and institutions serving Asian-American (AA's) and other minority communities, low-income communities or tribes that have formal partnerships (i.e. a signed Memorandum of Agreement) with any affected party which is eligible under applicable statutory authorities (i.e. community-based/grassroots organizations, churches, schools or other nonprofit community organizations, etc.) and tribal governments. "Preference will be given to University or Community groups who have not previously been recipients of a CUP award."

Beneficiary Eligibility:  General Public, Community Groups, Public nonprofit institutions/organizations, and Federally Recognized Tribal Governments.

Credentials/Documentation:  Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular Nos. A-87 for State and local governments, A-21 for educational institutions, and A-122 for non-profit organizations.

66.710 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  Applications describing the planned program, the means for executing the program, and budget information must be submitted to the EPA Headquarters Office of Environmental Justice. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  Applicants are to submit a proposal to the EPA Headquarters' Office of Environmental Justice, during the open period of the solicitation.

Award Procedure:  This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. An entity must comply with the State's intergovernmental review process. See 40 CFR Part 29.

Deadlines:  Contact Headquarters Office listed below for future deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  About 120 days.

Appeals:  Appeals are subject to the provisions of 40 CFR Part 30.63 and Part 31 Subpart F.

Renewals:  EPA shall review and evaluate environmental justice grants to determine whether the quality of the program operated by the grantee warrants continued support. However, lower priority is given to projects which have been funded under the CUP program.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  EPA will determine if the applicant meets specific administrative and management requirements. EPA will review a description of the applicant's history, goals, and plans for using the assistance funds. Factors that are particularly important in this evaluation process include: (1) the applicant's ability to manage the grant in compliance with EPA grant regulations; (2) the degree to which the applicant addresses the priority environmental and public health concerns of an impacted minority or low-income community; (3) the applicant's ability to inform others in the community of the information gathered; and (4) the extent to which broad representation of the affected groups are part of and active in the partnership developed to address the community(ies) concerns. In general, the applicant must demonstrate that it is aware of the time commitment, resources, and dedication needed to successfully manage a grant.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Not applicable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Individual grants awarded under this program are not to exceed $250,000.

66.710 RELATED PROGRAMS:

  • 66.604 Environmental Justice Grants to Small Community Groups;
  • 66.951 Environmental Education Grants.

66.710 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The program was not funded in fiscal years 1999 or 2000.

66.710 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $0; and FY 00 est $0; and FY 01 est $0.

Budget Account Number:  68-0108-0-1-304.

Authorization:  Clean Water Act, Section 104 (b) (3); Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001 (a); Clean Air Act, Section 103 (b) (3); Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10 (a); Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442 (b) (3); Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20 (a); Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, Section 1111(c)(10).

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  40 CFR Parts 7, 12, 29, 30, 31, 32, 32F, 33; and Public Law 101-619.

66.710 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Contact the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:  Director, Office of Environmental Justice (2201A), US Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW., Washington, DC 20460. Phone: (202) 564-2515. Environmental Justice Hotline: 1-800-962-6215.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

66.710 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  The project grant may be requested for one to three years. Activities must be completed within the time frame of the project's budget period.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Grant funds shall be used to support projects, programs or activities that promote environmental justice to further the Federal government's commitment to encourage the development of stronger partnerships with stakeholders in order to enhance environmental justice/community-based environmental protection. Projects may be designed to ensure that the partners: (1) are aware of basic environmental regulations, laws, concepts, issues, and resources; (2) understand their role in identifying and defining problems, and monitoring contaminants related to environmental exposures; (3) are included in the dialogue that results in shaping future policies, guidances, and approaches to environmental and public health problem solving; and (4) are encouraged to be active partners in developing responses and setting priorities for intervention in environmental concerns. Through these partnerships, communities will be encouraged to become involved in accessing information from environmental databases, in cleaning-up and restoring environmental quality in communities that have environmental insults, and in surveying and monitoring environmental quality.

66.710 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Recipients of grants are expected to submit final reports for EPA approval prior to receipt of the balance of grant funds.

Audits:  Projects are subject to inspection and audit by representatives of the Comptroller General of the United States and EPA or any authorized representative. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 1997. The Circular implements the Single Audit Act amendments of 1996. The Circular requires nonfederal entities that expend more than $300,000 in Federal award dollars, to have an audit conducted in accordance with the Circular's provisions. With the revised Circular, the previous OMB Circular No. A-128 for single audits of State and local governments was rescinded and the single audit requirements for these entities were incorporated among the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records:  Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each assistance agreement must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA assistance accounts. All records must be maintained until the expiration of three years from the date of submission of the Financial Status Report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as the result of an audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.

About    News     Grant Management Software     Federal Grant Programs    Audits    Studies    Expenditures     Links

Last Updated, November, 2000             Comments or Questions?           ©Grant Community.com 2000, All Rights Reserved