Federal Funding Opportunities and Guidance + Staff and National Policy Updates – July 9, 2024

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Below you will find resources and information on:

• EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program
• EPA’s Promoting Readiness and Enhancing Proficiency to Advance Reporting and Data (PREPARED) Cooperative Agreement
• EPA’s Community Change Grants
• Elective Pay Resources
• Other Resources and Webinars
• Updates on Our Work

EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program

1) Funding Available: Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant

The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program has $932 million to fund the replacement of non-zero-emission heavy-duty trucks and buses with zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles. At least $400 million will be used to fund projects in communities in air quality nonattainment areas. To advance environmental justice, this program is seeking to prioritize projects that take place in communities overburdened by air pollution. Additionally, the EPA will evaluate applications on their benefits towards disadvantaged communities experiencing poor air quality along with the quality and extent of community engagement efforts.

Eligible applicants to the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program include:

1. States, including U.S. territories;
2. Municipalities, including public school districts;
3. Indian Tribes; and
4. Nonprofit school transportation associations.

Applications are due to Grants.gov by July 25, 2024, at 11:59pm ET. Potential applicants without a Federal Grants account are highly encouraged to initiate the Federal Grants registration process well ahead of the deadline for funding as the registration process can take over a month. Please check out the Clean-Heavy Duty Vehicles Grant Program webpage for program details and links, including a public Q&A document and previously recorded webinars, and the CHDV Applicant Resources webpage additional resources.

EPA’s Promoting Readiness and Enhancing Proficiency to Advance Reporting and Data (PREPARED) Cooperative Agreements

2) Funding for Technical Assistance for EPA Grant Recipients

EPA’s Promoting Readiness and Enhancing Proficiency to Advance Reporting and Data (PREPARED) Cooperative Agreement will provide technical assistance to EPA grant recipients representing small, underserved, and/or tribal communities to enhance their capacity to meet data and reporting requirements and improve their ability to generate the information necessary to evaluate and improve grant outcomes. EPA intends to award up to $4 million over 3 years to as many as 8 recipients. The deadline to apply is July 29. Here is the application notice.

Data, reporting, and evidence-building are vitally important responsibilities for EPA grant programs. However, many EPA grant recipients face capacity challenges in engaging in these activities. Many small, underserved, and/or tribal communities that are eligible for EPA grants sometimes choose to pass on funding opportunities as a result. With this cooperative agreement, EPA seeks to fund technical assistance providers with program evaluation expertise to equip communities with strategies, tools, and training that enhance their capacity for data, reporting, and evidence-building.

To view active projects, recorded webinars and office hours, and FAQs, visit EPA’s website.

EPA’s Community Change Grants (CCG)

3) As soon as you completely meet the NOFO requirements, please submit!

EPA is reviewing CCG grants on a rolling basis, with the final deadline for submission (if funds remain) of November 21, 2024. However, EPA encourages applicants to submit applications as soon as they completely meet the NOFO requirements to ensure adequate time to resubmit it if needed per the NOFO instructions.

4) New CCG Resources by EnDyna

EPA contractor EnDyna recently posted a number of helpful Community Change Grants resources on their website, including:

• TA Workbooks – Workbooks designed to guide you through the step-by-step Track 1 and Track 2 application process.
• Community Change Technical Assistance (CCTA) Resource Library – A library of resources including guides, templates, and best practices for grant writing and compliance.
• CCTA Knowledge Portal and Fact Sheets – A comprehensive portal with detailed fact sheets on various topics related to the CCTA program.
• CCTA FAQ – A resource for frequently asked questions.
• De Minimis Rate – EPA’s resource page on de minimis rates.
• Past Webinars – The “Preparing a Grant Budget” webinar can provide more helpful information.
• Upcoming Office Hours Sessions – A schedule of future office hours sessions where you can gain additional support and insights.
• EPA Course Modules – Access additional training on how to develop a budget.

You can send your Community Change Technical Assistance questions to EJ_TechAssist@epa.gov or call 1 (800) 540-8123. If you are already receiving TA, you can reach out to your Lead Technical Assistance Provider for additional support from a Subject Matter Expert. And if you aren’t already in the TA process, you can request Technical Assistance by filling out the form here.

5) EPN’s Community Change Grants Resources