Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA OAR OAQPS 15 04
Apply for EPA OAR OAQPS 15 04
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2015 Targeted Air Shed Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.202 Congressionally Mandated Projects.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 3, 2015 and posted on Apr 3, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 1, 2015 Please refer to the announcement, including Section IV, for additional information on submission methods and due dates.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $10,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- See Section III of the announcement for eligibility information.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The 2015 Targeted Air Shed Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number EPA-OAR-OAQPS-15-04) is an Environmental Protection Agency funding opportunity designed to push measurable air-quality improvements in the parts of the country facing the most serious ozone and fine particle pollution. The program focuses on nonattainment areas and targets what EPA identifies as the top five most polluted areas in the nation when judged against the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone (O3) and annual average fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The central purpose is practical and outcome-driven: help air agencies put plans and projects into motion that directly reduce ambient concentrations of these pollutants where they are highest.
Funding is offered through cooperative agreements, meaning EPA expects to have substantial involvement during the project period rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The assistance is intended for local, state, and tribal air control agencies and supports a range of work that can move an area toward attainment or otherwise lower pollution burdens. Activities described in the announcement include developing and strengthening air quality plans, running demonstrations or pilot efforts that test promising approaches, and implementing on-the-ground projects that achieve real emission reductions. In plain terms, the program is structured to help agencies go beyond planning alone and into deployment of strategies that can cut ozone-forming pollution and PM2.5 at the community and regional level.
The opportunity was posted on April 3, 2015, with an application deadline of June 1, 2015, and an archive date of July 1, 2015. EPA anticipated making up to five awards under this competition. Total estimated funding for the program was $10,000,000, with an award ceiling of $3,000,000 and no stated award floor. The listing indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier for eligible public agencies that may not have flexible non-federal funds available.
The assistance is categorized under CFDA 66.202 and is labeled as a congressionally mandated projects category in the source data, while still being presented as a competitive solicitation for eligible applicants. Eligibility is summarized in the notice as applying to "others" with further clarification in the full announcement, specifically Section III, which is where applicants would need to confirm whether their organization type and the geographic focus of the proposed work align with EPA requirements. The emphasis on the top five most polluted nonattainment areas implies that applicant eligibility and project competitiveness are closely tied to whether the proposed work serves one of those priority airsheds and whether the proposed actions can credibly deliver significant reductions in ozone and/or PM2.5 pollution.
For applicants needing the complete instructions, EPA directs them to the full announcement, including Section IV for submission methods and exact due-date handling. For help accessing the full announcement, the listed contact is Jeff Whitlow at (919) 541-5523.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the 2015 Targeted Air Shed Grant Program?
The 2015 Targeted Air Shed Grant Program is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding opportunity intended to drive measurable air-quality improvements in areas with the most serious ozone and fine particle pollution. It is tied to Funding Opportunity Number EPA-OAR-OAQPS-15-04.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The central purpose is practical and outcome-driven: to help air agencies put plans and projects into motion that directly reduce ambient concentrations of ozone (O3) and/or fine particulate matter (PM2.5) where those pollutant levels are highest.
Which pollutants does the program target?
The program targets ozone (O3) and annual average fine particulate matter (PM2.5), as judged against the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
What kinds of areas are the focus of this program?
The program focuses on nonattainment areas and targets what EPA identifies as the top five most polluted areas in the nation when measured against the NAAQS for ozone and annual average PM2.5.
What does "nonattainment area" mean in this context?
In this opportunity, "nonattainment areas" are areas that do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the pollutants of concern (here, ozone and/or PM2.5), and the program is specifically aimed at those areas with the most serious pollution burdens.
What types of projects or activities are supported?
The announcement describes support for a range of work, including developing and strengthening air quality plans, running demonstrations or pilot efforts to test promising approaches, and implementing on-the-ground projects that achieve real emission reductions.
Is this program only for planning activities?
No. While plan development and strengthening are included, the program is structured to help agencies go beyond planning and into deployment of strategies that can cut ozone-forming pollution and PM2.5 at the community and regional level.
How is funding awarded (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Funding is offered through cooperative agreements. This means EPA expects to have substantial involvement during the project period, rather than simply awarding funds and stepping back.
Who is the intended audience for this funding?
The assistance is intended for local, state, and tribal air control agencies.
How is eligibility described in the notice?
Eligibility is summarized as applying to "others," with further clarification provided in the full announcement (specifically Section III). Applicants are expected to confirm in Section III whether their organization type and geographic/project focus align with EPA requirements.
Does the program prioritize certain locations?
Yes. The emphasis on the top five most polluted nonattainment areas implies that eligibility and competitiveness are closely tied to whether the proposed work serves one of those priority airsheds and whether the proposed actions can credibly deliver significant reductions in ozone and/or PM2.5.
Is this a competitive opportunity?
It is presented as a competitive solicitation for eligible applicants, even though the source data labels it as a congressionally mandated projects category.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is EPA-OAR-OAQPS-15-04.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on April 3, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was June 1, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was July 1, 2015.
How many awards did EPA anticipate making?
EPA anticipated making up to five awards under this competition.
How much total funding was estimated for the program?
The total estimated funding was $10,000,000.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $3,000,000.
Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No award floor was stated.
Is cost sharing or a match required?
No. The listing indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What is the CFDA number for this assistance?
The assistance is categorized under CFDA 66.202.
Where can applicants find full application instructions?
EPA directs applicants to the full announcement. It identifies Section III for eligibility clarification and Section IV for submission methods and exact due-date handling.
Where are the submission methods and due-date rules explained?
According to the information provided, the full announcement contains these details in Section IV (including submission methods and exact due-date handling).
Who can be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?
The listed contact for help accessing the full announcement is Jeff Whitlow at (919) 541-5523.
What kind of outcomes is EPA looking for from funded projects?
Based on the description provided, EPA is focused on measurable air-quality improvements, specifically actions that directly reduce ambient concentrations of ozone and/or PM2.5 in the highest-pollution areas.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment
Next opportunity: Methods Development in Natural Products Chemistry (R41/R42)
Previous opportunity: Building America Program Technology to Market Roadmaps
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for EPA OAR OAQPS 15 04
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (EPA OAR OAQPS 15 04) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Chesapeake Bay Program Office Fiscal Year 2015 Request for Proposals for Goal Implementation Team Project Support Apply for EPA R3 CBP 15 03 Funding Number: EPA R3 CBP 15 03 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $4,500,000 |
| Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC) Technical Support Apply for EPA OPP 2015 002 Funding Number: EPA OPP 2015 002 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,100,000 |
| FY15 Region 7 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA R7WWPD 15 001 Funding Number: EPA R7WWPD 15 001 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Building Relevance for the National Wildlife Refuge System Apply for F15AS00169 Funding Number: F15AS00169 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY15 and FY16 Region 6 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REG6 WPDG 2015 2016 Funding Number: EPA REG6 WPDG 2015 2016 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection Apply for G15AC00111 Funding Number: G15AC00111 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Environment Funding Amount: $85,000 |
| International Affairs CITES Apply for F15AS00171 Funding Number: F15AS00171 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Emerging Environmental Approaches and Challenges Synthetic Biology for Environmental Purposes (A3) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR A3 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR A3 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Air, Climate and Energy Clean Air (B1) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR B1 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR B1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Air, Climate and Energy Global Change (B2) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR B2 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR B2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Chemical Safety for Sustainability Communicating and Translating Emerging Science for Evaluating Impacts of Chemicals (C4) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR C4 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR C4 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Human Health Risk Assessment Public Health (D1) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR D1 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR D1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Human Health Risk Assessment Risk Assessment and Risk Management (D2) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR D2 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR D2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Drinking Water (E1) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR E1 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR E1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Water Quality Coastal and Estuarine Processes (E2) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR E2 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR E2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Emerging Environmental Approaches and Challenges Environmental Innovation (A1) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR A1 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR A1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Sustainable and Healthy Communities Multidisciplinary Approaches To Optimize Decision Outcomes (F1) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR F1 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR F1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Emerging Environmental Approaches and Challenges Information Science (A2) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR A2 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR A2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Air, Climate and Energy Green Energy/Natural Resources Production and Use (B3) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR B3 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR B3 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
| Chemical Safety for Sustainability Adverse Impacts from Exposures to Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (C1) Apply for EPA 2015 STAR C1 Funding Number: EPA 2015 STAR C1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $132,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "EPA OAR OAQPS 15 04", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.
