Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA OSWER OBLR 08 07
Apply for EPA OSWER OBLR 08 07
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields 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 Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 26, 2008 and posted on Aug 26, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 14, 2008 Please refer to the full 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 $37,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 183 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- See Section III of the announcement for additional eligibility information.
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Opportunity Summary:
The "Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment Grants" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number EPA-OSWER-OBLR-08-07) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under its Brownfields Program. It is grounded in the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (often called the Brownfields Law, P.L. 107-118), which directs EPA to publish guidance that helps applicants prepare proposals for funding to assess and clean up brownfield sites. In practical terms, the program is meant to help communities and other eligible entities move neglected or potentially contaminated properties from uncertainty to reuse by funding the early-stage work that clarifies what contamination exists, what risks it poses, and what redevelopment or cleanup path makes sense.
This particular announcement focuses on Brownfields Assessment Grants. These grants support activities that happen before cleanup and redevelopment can responsibly move forward. The funded work can include inventorying and prioritizing sites, characterizing site conditions, performing environmental assessments, and conducting planning efforts such as cleanup planning. The program also explicitly includes community involvement as an eligible component, reflecting EPA's expectation that local residents and stakeholders are informed and engaged while sites are evaluated and future reuse options are considered. The overall intent is to reduce the barriers that keep brownfield properties idle by paying for the investigative and planning steps that private investment or local governments often cannot justify without first understanding the extent of contamination and potential costs.
Although the broader Brownfields Program also funds two other major grant types, the announcement situates Assessment Grants within that larger menu of EPA brownfields assistance. First, EPA also offers Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants, which provide money to capitalize a revolving fund so recipients can issue loans (and provide subgrants) to support cleanup work at brownfield sites. Second, EPA offers Brownfields Cleanup Grants, which pay for cleanup activities at a specific brownfield site that is owned by the applicant. Together, these three grant categories are designed to cover the pipeline from early assessment, to financing mechanisms that enable cleanups, to direct cleanup funding for eligible applicants who own sites.
The opportunity is listed under the environmental funding activity category and uses the grant instrument type. It is associated with CFDA number 66.818, "Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements." The announcement indicates that cost sharing or matching is not required, which can be significant for smaller communities or organizations with limited local funds. EPA expected to make 183 awards under this competition, with an estimated total funding amount of $37,500,000, signaling a relatively large national competition intended to reach many communities.
Eligibility is described in the posting as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," with further direction to review Section III of the full announcement for the complete eligibility requirements. The narrative description of the program indicates that the broader Brownfields Program is intended to empower states, communities, tribes, and nonprofits, so applicants commonly fall within those categories, but the authoritative eligibility rules and any exclusions are located in the full solicitation. Because the summary data explicitly points readers to Section III, applicants would need to rely on that section to confirm whether their specific entity type and proposed activities qualify.
Key dates in the posting show the opportunity was posted and created on August 26, 2008, with an original and current closing date of November 14, 2008, and an archive date of December 14, 2008. The notice also instructs applicants to consult Section IV of the full announcement for submission methods and due date details, which suggests that the application process may include specific formatting, delivery options, or procedural requirements that are not fully captured in the brief synopsis.
For those needing assistance accessing the full announcement, the contact section indicates applicants should refer to the full announcement for addresses and points of contact. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as EPA's formal guidance and funding competition for assessment-phase brownfields work, aimed at helping eligible entities identify and evaluate brownfield sites, plan next steps (including cleanup planning), and involve the community so sites can be cleaned up and put back into productive use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment Grants" opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under its Brownfields Program. It is identified as "Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment Grants" with Funding Opportunity Number EPA-OSWER-OBLR-08-07.
Which EPA program is this funding connected to?
The opportunity is part of EPA's Brownfields Program, which is intended to help communities and other eligible entities move potentially contaminated or neglected properties toward cleanup and productive reuse.
What is the purpose of a Brownfields Assessment Grant under this announcement?
The purpose is to fund early-stage work needed before cleanup and redevelopment can responsibly proceed. The goal is to reduce barriers that keep brownfield properties idle by supporting investigation and planning that clarifies contamination, risks, and feasible next steps.
What types of activities can Brownfields Assessment Grants support?
Based on the announcement description, Assessment Grants can support inventorying and prioritizing sites, characterizing site conditions, performing environmental assessments, and conducting planning efforts such as cleanup planning.
Does the opportunity include support for community involvement?
Yes. Community involvement is explicitly included as an eligible component, reflecting EPA's expectation that local residents and stakeholders are informed and engaged while sites are evaluated and future reuse options are considered.
Are these funds meant for cleanup work or for pre-cleanup work?
This particular announcement focuses on Assessment Grants, which are for pre-cleanup activities (assessment and planning). The broader EPA Brownfields Program also includes other grant types that can support cleanup, but this notice is centered on assessment-phase work.
How do Assessment Grants differ from Brownfields Cleanup Grants?
Assessment Grants support site inventorying, assessment, and planning activities before cleanup. Cleanup Grants, by contrast, pay for cleanup activities at a specific brownfield site that is owned by the applicant (as described in the announcement summary).
How do Assessment Grants differ from Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants?
RLF Grants provide money to capitalize a revolving fund so recipients can issue loans (and provide subgrants) to support cleanup work at brownfield sites. Assessment Grants fund the investigative and planning steps that typically occur earlier in the process.
What law is this opportunity based on?
The opportunity is grounded in the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (P.L. 107-118), often called the Brownfields Law. The law directs EPA to publish guidance to help applicants prepare proposals for assessing and cleaning up brownfield sites.
What funding activity category is listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under the environmental funding activity category.
What is the funding instrument type?
The posting indicates the instrument type is a grant.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 66.818, titled "Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements."
Is cost sharing or a match required?
No. The announcement indicates that cost sharing or matching is not required.
How many awards did EPA expect to make under this competition?
EPA expected to make 183 awards under this competition.
What was the estimated total funding amount for this competition?
The estimated total funding amount listed is $37,500,000.
Who is eligible to apply?
The posting lists eligibility as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)" and directs applicants to review Section III of the full announcement for complete eligibility requirements. The summary description notes the broader Brownfields Program is intended to empower states, communities, tribes, and nonprofits, but the authoritative rules (including any exclusions) are in Section III.
Where do applicants find the complete eligibility rules?
The synopsis directs applicants to Section III of the full announcement for complete eligibility requirements.
When was the opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?
Key dates listed are: posted/created on August 26, 2008; original and current closing date of November 14, 2008; and an archive date of December 14, 2008.
Where are the submission instructions and due date details provided?
The notice instructs applicants to consult Section IV of the full announcement for submission methods and due date details, suggesting there may be specific formatting, delivery options, or procedural requirements not fully described in the synopsis.
Where can applicants find points of contact or addresses for assistance?
The contact section indicates applicants should refer to the full announcement for addresses and points of contact.
What problem is this grant program trying to solve?
The program aims to move neglected or potentially contaminated properties from uncertainty to reuse by paying for the early-stage investigative and planning work that helps clarify contamination, risks, and viable cleanup or redevelopment paths.
Is this opportunity a national competition?
The posting describes a relatively large competition, with 183 expected awards and an estimated total of $37,500,000, indicating an effort intended to reach many communities.
Does the synopsis include all requirements needed to apply?
No. The synopsis repeatedly points to the full announcement for key details (for example, Section III for eligibility and Section IV for submission requirements), meaning applicants would need the full solicitation to confirm requirements.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Cleanup Grants Apply for EPA OSWER OBLR 08 08 Funding Number: EPA OSWER OBLR 08 08 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grants Apply for EPA OSWER OBLR 08 09 Funding Number: EPA OSWER OBLR 08 09 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Society for Range Management Professional Development Public Education Apply for WO NOI 08 8014 Funding Number: WO NOI 08 8014 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| BROWNFIELDS JOB TRAINING GRANTS Apply for EPA OSWER OBLR 08 10 Funding Number: EPA OSWER OBLR 08 10 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Clearing of Right of Ways Apply for 2154308029 Funding Number: 2154308029 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $26,000 |
| Mississippi Science Olympiad Apply for ES NOI 08 0002 Funding Number: ES NOI 08 0002 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $3,000 |
| 2009 Academic Year EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships for Undergraduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2008U GRO P1 Funding Number: EPA F2008U GRO P1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $46,500 |
| 2009 Academic Year EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships for Undergraduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2008U GRO P2 Funding Number: EPA F2008U GRO P2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $46,500 |
| 2009 Academic Year EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships for Undergraduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2008U GRO P3 Funding Number: EPA F2008U GRO P3 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $46,500 |
| 2009 Academic Year EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships for Undergraduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2008U GRO P4 Funding Number: EPA F2008U GRO P4 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $46,500 |
| 2009 Academic Year EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships for Undergraduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2008U GRO Q1 Funding Number: EPA F2008U GRO Q1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $46,500 |
| 2009 Academic Year EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships for Undergraduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2008U GRO Q2 Funding Number: EPA F2008U GRO Q2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $46,500 |
| CA Bureau of Land Management Pacific Crest Trail Apply for CA NOI 08 0011 Funding Number: CA NOI 08 0011 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| International Journal of Wilderness Production Support Project Apply for WO NOI 08 8011 Funding Number: WO NOI 08 8011 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $2,500 |
| USAID/MADAGASCAR S WATER AND SANITATION PROGRAM Apply for 674 08 0050 APS Funding Number: 674 08 0050 APS Agency: South Africa USAID Pretoria Category: Environment Funding Amount: $12,500,000 |
| FY 2009 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program Apply for EPA OEI 09 01 Funding Number: EPA OEI 09 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING SUPPORT IN INDIAN COUNTRY Apply for EPA OSWER OUST 08 11 Funding Number: EPA OSWER OUST 08 11 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 6th Annual P3 Awards A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet Apply for EPA G2009 P3 Q1 Funding Number: EPA G2009 P3 Q1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| 6th Annual P3 Awards A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet Apply for EPA G2009 P3 Q2 Funding Number: EPA G2009 P3 Q2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| 6th Annual P3 Awards A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet Apply for EPA G2009 P3 Q3 Funding Number: EPA G2009 P3 Q3 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $10,000 |
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