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Healthy Indoor Environments (2008) - EPA Region 6: FAQs

What is the Healthy Indoor Environments (2008) grant opportunity?

The Healthy Indoor Environments (2008) opportunity was a discretionary grant competition issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 6. It focused on improving indoor environmental conditions that affect health, with particular attention to children and people with asthma.

Which EPA office ran this competition?

This funding competition was administered by EPA Region 6.

What was the main purpose of the funding?

The program supported practical, community-facing work that helps families, schools, and caregivers understand and reduce common indoor triggers that can worsen asthma and other respiratory problems.

What legal authority supported this grant program?

The legal authority cited for the funding was the Clean Air Act, Section 103(b), which supports surveys, studies, research, demonstrations, and related special-purpose activities tied to clean air goals.

What kinds of projects were EPA Region 6 looking for?

EPA Region 6 invited proposals in four main areas: (1) education for people with asthma and their parents/caregivers focused on identifying and reducing environmental triggers through interventions in homes, daycare settings, community locations, and schools; (2) training programs for healthcare professionals, community workers, and other trained individuals to counsel asthma patients on environmental management strategies; (3) education for parents/caregivers about children’s exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, using home/daycare/community interventions to reduce secondhand smoke exposure; and (4) outreach and training that leads to effective indoor air quality (IAQ) management practices in schools to support long-term healthier indoor environments.

Does this opportunity specifically address asthma?

Yes. A central focus was reducing indoor environmental triggers that can worsen asthma, especially for children and people with asthma.

Does this funding support work in homes and community settings?

Yes. The opportunity specifically referenced interventions carried out in homes, daycare settings, community locations, and schools.

What populations were emphasized in the program?

The opportunity emphasized children and people with asthma, as well as parents and primary caregivers who influence indoor environments where children live and spend time.

Was secondhand smoke (environmental tobacco smoke) included as a topic?

Yes. One of the four primary project areas specifically focused on educating parents and caregivers about children’s exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and reducing secondhand smoke exposure through interventions in homes, daycare, and community settings.

Did EPA encourage training for professionals as part of this program?

Yes. EPA encouraged training programs for healthcare professionals, community workers, and other trained individuals so they could effectively counsel asthma patients on environmental management strategies.

Did EPA seek projects focused on schools?

Yes. The opportunity included projects aimed at improving indoor air quality management practices in schools, supporting adoption of routines and systems that keep school indoor environments healthier over the long term.

How many awards did EPA expect to make?

EPA anticipated making about five awards.

What was the estimated total amount of funding available?

The estimated total funding amount was $150,000.

What was the expected size range for individual awards?

Individual awards were expected to range from a minimum (floor) of $5,000 to a maximum (ceiling) of $50,000.

Was a cost share or matching funds required?

No. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of receiving an award.

What type of funding instrument was used?

The funding instrument type was a grant.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The activity fell under CFDA 66.034, which covers Clean Air Act-related investigative, demonstration, and special purpose activities.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility included federally recognized Native American tribal governments; state governments; city or township governments; county governments; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that specific nonprofit category); public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and additional eligible entities as described in the full announcement’s eligibility section.

Were institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education were listed as eligible applicants. The eligibility list also noted that 501(c)(3) nonprofits were eligible, excluding institutions of higher education in that specific nonprofit category.

Where should applicants look for the most detailed eligibility rules?

Applicants were directed to consult Section III of the full announcement for detailed eligibility rules and clarifications.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted and created on April 11, 2008.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was May 30, 2008.

When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on June 29, 2008.

Where could applicants find official submission instructions?

EPA noted that applicants should rely on the full announcement, particularly Section IV, for official submission instructions, accepted submission methods, and any detailed due-date requirements.

Who was the contact person for access issues with the full announcement?

The listed contact for access issues related to the full announcement was Stacy Murphy at (214) 665-6762.