Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA OLEM OBLR 19 05
Apply for EPA OLEM OBLR 19 05
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY20 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD ASSESSMENT GRANTS" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.818.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 10, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 03, 2019 Please see Section IV of the announcement for additional submission information. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 100 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The FY20 Guidelines for Brownfield Assessment Grants (Funding Opportunity Number EPA OLEM OBLR 19 05) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focused on helping communities move contaminated or potentially contaminated properties toward reuse. The opportunity is issued under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and reflects updates made by the Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development (BUILD) Act (Public Law 115-141). In practical terms, EPA is required to publish guidance for grants that support the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites, and this announcement serves as the guidance and application framework specifically for Assessment Grants.
The overall purpose of the EPA Brownfields Program, as described in the announcement, is to provide funding that empowers states, local communities, tribes, and nonprofit organizations to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and ultimately reuse brownfield sites. Brownfields are generally properties where redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Assessment Grants are aimed at the early, foundational work needed to understand environmental conditions at a site (or across multiple sites) so communities can make informed redevelopment decisions, reduce uncertainty for future investors or developers, and prioritize cleanup and reuse strategies.
This funding opportunity uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, meaning EPA typically expects to have substantial involvement during the project period compared to a standard grant. The activity category is environmental, and the applicable CFDA number listed is 66.818, which corresponds to EPA Brownfields-related assistance. The notice indicates an award ceiling of up to $600,000 per award and an expectation of about 100 awards, signaling a nationally competitive program with multiple recipients rather than a single large award.
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with clarification referenced in the announcement text (specifically in an "Additional Information on Eligibility" section), which usually means applicants need to carefully confirm their organizational type and status against the detailed eligibility requirements in the full guidelines. The description also explicitly highlights the intended audiences and beneficiaries of the program: states, communities, tribes, and nonprofit organizations. In many EPA brownfields competitions, eligible entities often include local governments, quasi-governmental entities, regional councils, certain redevelopment authorities, tribes, and eligible nonprofits, but the announcement directs applicants to the official eligibility section for the definitive rules.
Key administrative details included in the source data show the opportunity was created on October 10, 2019, with an original closing date of December 3, 2019. The notice also directs applicants to Section IV of the announcement for detailed submission instructions, which typically includes the required forms, registration steps, application package components, page limits, formatting rules, and the method of submission (often through Grants.gov or an EPA portal). Because submission requirements can be strict in federal competitions, the reference to Section IV is important for determining how and when to submit a complete and compliant application.
In summary, this EPA opportunity supports the front-end environmental assessment work that helps communities identify and evaluate brownfield properties, build a pipeline of redevelopment-ready sites, and reduce barriers to reinvestment. It is a competitive, discretionary federal program administered by EPA through cooperative agreements, offering awards up to $600,000 and anticipating around 100 recipients, with eligibility and application procedures governed by the detailed guidelines in the full announcement.
FAQs: FY20 EPA Brownfield Assessment Grants (EPA OLEM OBLR 19 05)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the FY20 Guidelines for Brownfield Assessment Grants, a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is identified by Funding Opportunity Number EPA OLEM OBLR 19 05 and provides a framework and instructions for applying for EPA Brownfields Assessment Grants.
Which EPA program is this associated with?
The opportunity is part of the EPA Brownfields Program. The program is intended to fund efforts that help states, local communities, tribes, and nonprofit organizations prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield sites.
What is the main purpose of the Assessment Grants described here?
Assessment Grants focus on early-stage work to understand environmental conditions at a site (or multiple sites). The goal is to help communities make informed redevelopment decisions, reduce uncertainty for future investors or developers, and prioritize cleanup and reuse strategies.
What is a brownfield, as described in the announcement?
Brownfields are generally properties where redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.
What kinds of activities are supported by Assessment Grants (in general terms)?
Based on the announcement description, the supported work is the foundational environmental assessment needed to identify and evaluate conditions at brownfield properties. This includes efforts that help communities inventory and assess sites so they can plan for cleanup and reuse.
What type of funding instrument does EPA use for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This typically means EPA expects to have substantial involvement during the project period compared to a standard grant.
Is this a competitive grant program?
Yes. The announcement describes it as a discretionary funding opportunity with an expectation of about 100 awards, which indicates a nationally competitive process with multiple recipients.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is up to $600,000 per award.
How many awards does EPA expect to make?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of about 100 awards.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 66.818, which corresponds to EPA Brownfields-related assistance.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is environmental.
Who is this opportunity intended to benefit?
The announcement highlights states, communities, tribes, and nonprofit organizations as intended audiences and beneficiaries of the EPA Brownfields Program.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the announcement pointing applicants to an "Additional Information on Eligibility" section for the definitive eligibility rules. Applicants are expected to confirm their organizational type and status against the detailed eligibility requirements in the full guidelines.
Does the announcement list any common examples of potentially eligible applicants?
The description notes that, in many EPA brownfields competitions, eligible entities often include local governments, quasi-governmental entities, regional councils, certain redevelopment authorities, tribes, and eligible nonprofits. However, the announcement directs applicants to rely on the official eligibility section for final requirements.
What legal authority is cited for this grant guidance?
The opportunity is issued under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
How does the BUILD Act relate to this opportunity?
The announcement reflects updates made by the Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development (BUILD) Act (Public Law 115-141).
Why does EPA publish guidelines like this for Brownfields grants?
The announcement explains that EPA is required to publish guidance for grants that support the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites, and this announcement serves as the guidance and application framework specifically for Assessment Grants.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity record indicates it was created on October 10, 2019, and the original closing date was December 3, 2019.
Where can applicants find the official submission instructions?
The notice directs applicants to Section IV of the announcement for detailed submission instructions. This is where applicants would typically find required forms, registration steps, application components, page limits, formatting rules, and the method of submission.
Why is it important to follow Section IV submission instructions closely?
The description notes that submission requirements can be strict in federal competitions, and Section IV is specifically called out as the authoritative source for how and when to submit a complete and compliant application.
What outcomes is this funding trying to support for communities?
The opportunity is intended to support front-end assessment work that helps communities identify and evaluate brownfield properties, build a pipeline of redevelopment-ready sites, reduce barriers to reinvestment, and move contaminated or potentially contaminated properties toward reuse.
Is this opportunity focused on assessment or cleanup?
This announcement serves as guidance and the application framework specifically for Assessment Grants, which are focused on understanding environmental conditions as a foundational step toward later cleanup and reuse decisions.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment
Next opportunity: FY20 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD REVOLVING LOAN FUND GRANTS
Previous opportunity: Ethnographic Overview and Assessment of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
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 OLEM OBLR 19 05
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (EPA OLEM OBLR 19 05) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Chesapeake Bay Program Office Fiscal Year 2020 Request for Applications for Goal Implementation Team Project Support Apply for EPA R3 CBP 20 01 Funding Number: EPA R3 CBP 20 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $4,500,000 |
| FY20 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD REVOLVING LOAN FUND GRANTS Apply for EPA OLEM OBLR 19 06 Funding Number: EPA OLEM OBLR 19 06 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FY20 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD CLEANUP GRANTS Apply for EPA OLEM OBLR 19 07 Funding Number: EPA OLEM OBLR 19 07 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Coral Reef and Natural Resources Program Apply for CRNR 2020 Funding Number: CRNR 2020 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Environment Funding Amount: $240,000 |
| Implementation of Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) Activities in Montana Apply for F20AS00024 Funding Number: F20AS00024 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 1 -- Solicitation Notice for 2020 Apply for EPA EE 20 01 Funding Number: EPA EE 20 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Lead-Based Paint Program Apply for EPA R9 19 LCRD Funding Number: EPA R9 19 LCRD Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 8 -- Solicitation Notice for 2020 Apply for EPA EE 20 08 Funding Number: EPA EE 20 08 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 5-- Solicitation Notice for 2020 Apply for EPA EE 20 05 Funding Number: EPA EE 20 05 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 4 -- Solicitation Notice for 2020 Apply for EPA EE 20 04 Funding Number: EPA EE 20 04 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Implementation of Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) Activities in North Dakota Apply for F20AS00025 Funding Number: F20AS00025 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 10 -- Solicitation Notice for 2020 Apply for EPA EE 20 10 Funding Number: EPA EE 20 10 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 6-- Solicitation Notice for 2020 Apply for EPA EE 20 06 Funding Number: EPA EE 20 06 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 2-- Solicitation Notice for 2020 Apply for EPA EE 20 02 Funding Number: EPA EE 20 02 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 7 -- Solicitation Notice for 2020 Apply for EPA EE 20 07 Funding Number: EPA EE 20 07 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 3-- Solicitation Notice for 2020 Apply for EPA EE 20 03 Funding Number: EPA EE 20 03 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Environmental Education Local Grants Program for Region 9-- Solicitation Notice for 2020 Apply for EPA EE 20 09 Funding Number: EPA EE 20 09 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| APPROACHES TO REDUCE NUTRIENT LOADINGS FOR HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS MANAGEMENT Apply for EPA G2020 STAR A1 Funding Number: EPA G2020 STAR A1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Request for Applications from Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for Nonpoint Source Management Grants Under Clean Water Act Section 319 Apply for EPA OW OWOW 20 01 Funding Number: EPA OW OWOW 20 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program Apply for EPA OP OEJ 20 01 Funding Number: EPA OP OEJ 20 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $120,000 |
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 OLEM OBLR 19 05", 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.