Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA G2011 STAR A1
Apply for EPA G2011 STAR A1
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Sustainable Chesapeake A Collaborative Approach to Urban Stormwater Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.509 Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Research Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 1, 2010 and posted on Oct 1, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 31, 2011 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 $4,400,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: County governments State governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education City or township governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
- See Section III of the announcement for additional eligibility information.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Sustainable Chesapeake A Collaborative Approach to Urban Stormwater Management opportunity was a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research grant competition under the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, designed to support the creation of integrated research centers focused on reducing pollution carried by urban stormwater into the Chesapeake Bay. The program was framed within the broader federal commitment established by Presidential Executive Order 13508, which directed federal leadership to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. EPA emphasized that funded work could involve geospatial information, reflecting the expectation that projects may rely on mapping, spatial analysis, watershed modeling, or other location-based datasets to understand stormwater sources, pathways, and outcomes.
The core goal of the solicitation was to fund transdisciplinary research centers that do more than test technical fixes. EPA sought proposals that improve scientific understanding of how to influence both human behavior and institutional decision-making so that pollution prevention becomes more effective and durable. In practice, this means projects were expected to address not only the physical movement of stormwater and contaminants, but also the policy, governance, economic, and social factors that determine whether stormwater controls are adopted, maintained, and scaled. The solicitation highlighted a strong interest in collaborative approaches, suggesting that successful proposals would likely bring together universities, local and state governments, and other stakeholders to develop strategies that can be implemented across jurisdictions and sectors.
Each proposed Center was expected to include three tightly connected components. First, a physical and biological science element to examine stormwater processes and ecological or water-quality impacts, such as pollutant loading, hydrology, sediment transport, nutrient dynamics, habitat effects, or tributary responses. Second, a social science element to analyze the behavioral and institutional drivers that shape stormwater management outcomes, such as incentives, barriers to adoption, regulatory structures, organizational behavior, community engagement, and coordination across agencies or municipalities. Third, a clear set of measures of success or progress, meaning projects needed credible methods and metrics to track whether interventions produce measurable improvements. This focus on metrics signaled that EPA wanted more than conceptual frameworks; it wanted defensible ways to document change in tributaries and, ultimately, contributions to Chesapeake Bay restoration goals.
The research topics EPA encouraged were broad but clearly centered on actionable innovation and learning from past efforts. Proposed centers could focus on applying existing stormwater reduction practices in new ways, such as adapting green infrastructure, retrofits, or treatment practices to different land uses or governance contexts. They could also develop new techniques or technologies, potentially including novel designs, monitoring tools, decision-support systems, or implementation models. Another explicit area of interest was diagnosing why prior Chesapeake Bay protection or restoration strategies have succeeded or failed, with the intent of identifying transferable lessons and avoiding repeated missteps. EPA also called for improved methods and metrics to document water-quality improvements in Chesapeake Bay tributaries, reflecting the practical challenge of attributing observed water-quality changes to specific stormwater interventions. Finally, the announcement encouraged sector-specific strategies tailored to settings like residential neighborhoods, industrial areas, commercial development, or transportation infrastructure, recognizing that stormwater sources and feasible solutions differ widely by land use.
In terms of funding structure, this was a discretionary grant opportunity with an estimated total funding level of $4.4 million and an expectation of two awards, implying relatively large, center-scale projects. The award ceiling was $2.2 million per grant, and there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated. Eligible applicants included a wide range of institutions and governments: state and county governments, city or township governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, and other eligible entities as further detailed in the full announcement. The funding opportunity number was EPA G2011 STAR A1, under CFDA 66.509 (STAR Research Program). The opportunity was posted October 1, 2010, and applications were due January 31, 2011, with the program later archived on March 2, 2011. For access issues related to the full announcement, the listed contact was Ron Josephson at 202-343-9643.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Sustainable Chesapeake: A Collaborative Approach to Urban Stormwater Management" grant opportunity?
It was a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research grant competition under the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. The solicitation was designed to support the creation of integrated, center-scale research efforts focused on reducing pollution carried by urban stormwater into the Chesapeake Bay.
Which EPA program funded this competition?
The competition was part of EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, listed under CFDA 66.509 (STAR Research Program).
What was the main goal of this solicitation?
The core goal was to fund transdisciplinary research centers that improve understanding of how to reduce pollution from urban stormwater entering the Chesapeake Bay, including both the physical movement of stormwater and the human and institutional factors that determine whether stormwater controls are adopted, maintained, and scaled.
How does this opportunity relate to federal Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts?
The solicitation was framed within the broader federal commitment established by Presidential Executive Order 13508, which directed federal leadership to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay.
Was the grant focused only on technical stormwater controls?
No. EPA emphasized that funded centers should do more than test technical fixes. Proposals were expected to address scientific, policy, governance, economic, and social factors that influence stormwater management outcomes.
What does "transdisciplinary research center" mean in the context of this solicitation?
Based on the solicitation description, EPA expected integrated centers that combine physical and biological sciences with social sciences, and that also include credible measures of success to track progress and outcomes.
What components was each proposed Center expected to include?
Each Center was expected to include three tightly connected components: (1) a physical and biological science element focused on stormwater processes and ecological or water-quality impacts, (2) a social science element focused on behavioral and institutional drivers of stormwater outcomes, and (3) clear measures of success or progress, including methods and metrics to track change.
What kinds of topics could the physical and biological science element cover?
The solicitation indicated topics such as pollutant loading, hydrology, sediment transport, nutrient dynamics, habitat effects, and tributary responses related to stormwater processes and impacts.
What kinds of topics could the social science element cover?
The solicitation described areas such as incentives, barriers to adoption, regulatory structures, organizational behavior, community engagement, and coordination across agencies or municipalities that shape stormwater management outcomes.
Why did EPA emphasize "measures of success or progress"?
EPA signaled that it wanted more than conceptual frameworks. Projects needed defensible methods and metrics to document whether interventions produce measurable improvements in tributaries and contribute to broader Chesapeake Bay restoration goals.
Did the solicitation encourage the use of geospatial information?
Yes. EPA emphasized that funded work could involve geospatial information, reflecting an expectation that projects may rely on mapping, spatial analysis, watershed modeling, or other location-based datasets to understand stormwater sources, pathways, and outcomes.
What types of research approaches were encouraged?
EPA encouraged actionable innovation and learning from past efforts. Proposed centers could apply existing stormwater reduction practices in new ways, develop new techniques or technologies, analyze why prior restoration strategies succeeded or failed, improve methods and metrics to document water-quality improvements, and develop sector-specific strategies tailored to different land uses.
What are examples of "existing stormwater reduction practices" that could be applied in new ways?
The solicitation referenced adapting practices such as green infrastructure, retrofits, or treatment practices to different land uses or governance contexts.
Did EPA allow development of new stormwater techniques or technologies?
Yes. The solicitation stated that centers could develop new techniques or technologies, including potential new designs, monitoring tools, decision-support systems, or implementation models.
Was analyzing past Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts part of the encouraged work?
Yes. An explicit area of interest was diagnosing why prior Chesapeake Bay protection or restoration strategies have succeeded or failed, with the intent of identifying lessons that could transfer to other settings and avoiding repeated missteps.
What did EPA say about documenting water-quality improvements?
EPA called for improved methods and metrics to document water-quality improvements in Chesapeake Bay tributaries, noting the practical challenge of attributing observed water-quality changes to specific stormwater interventions.
Were sector-specific stormwater strategies encouraged?
Yes. The announcement encouraged strategies tailored to settings such as residential neighborhoods, industrial areas, commercial development, and transportation infrastructure, recognizing that stormwater sources and feasible solutions vary by land use.
What types of partnerships or collaboration were expected?
The solicitation highlighted a strong interest in collaborative approaches. It suggested that successful proposals would likely bring together universities, local and state governments, and other stakeholders to develop strategies that can be implemented across jurisdictions and sectors.
What was the total estimated funding available?
The estimated total funding level was $4.4 million.
How many awards were expected?
The opportunity indicated an expectation of two awards.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling) per grant?
The award ceiling was $2.2 million per grant.
Was cost-sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement was stated in the provided solicitation summary.
What type of grant was this?
It was described as a discretionary grant opportunity.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants included state and county governments, city or township governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, and other eligible entities as further detailed in the full announcement.
What is the funding opportunity number for this solicitation?
The funding opportunity number was EPA G2011 STAR A1.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed was 66.509 (STAR Research Program).
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on October 1, 2010.
What was the application deadline?
Applications were due on January 31, 2011.
Is this opportunity still active?
No. The program was later archived on March 2, 2011.
Who was the contact for access issues related to the full announcement?
The listed contact was Ron Josephson at 202-343-9643.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment
Next opportunity: U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command Broad Agency Annoucement for Extramural Medical Research
Previous opportunity: Migratory Bird Joint Ventures Midwest Region FY 2011 Opportunities
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 G2011 STAR A1
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (EPA G2011 STAR A1) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY 10 Multi Media Grant Program Solicitation Notice Apply for EPA OECA NPMAS 10 001 Funding Number: EPA OECA NPMAS 10 001 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| US Mexico Border Environmental Education, Outreach and Support Program Apply for EPA OAR IO 10 13 Funding Number: EPA OAR IO 10 13 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| BOEMRE FY 2011 Louisiana Coastal Marine Institute Apply for M10AS00008 Funding Number: M10AS00008 Agency: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $728,095 |
| San Joaquin River Restoration Program Installation of Gates on Sack Dam Apply for R11AS20003 Funding Number: R11AS20003 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Mid Pacific Region Category: Environment Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Coopertive Biological Planning, Conservation Design and Evaluation Apply for FWS R5 SA 11 065 Funding Number: FWS R5 SA 11 065 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $260,000 |
| Chesapeake Bay Partnership Apply for FWS R5 RW 11 066 Funding Number: FWS R5 RW 11 066 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award Apply for FWS R5 ES 11 067 Funding Number: FWS R5 ES 11 067 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award Apply for FWS R5 ES 11 068 Funding Number: FWS R5 ES 11 068 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $110,707 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Water Quality Improvement Fund Apply for EPA R9 WTR3 10 006 Funding Number: EPA R9 WTR3 10 006 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Water Conservation Field Service Program Apply for R11SF40009 Funding Number: R11SF40009 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, FY 2011 Request for Proposals (RFP) Apply for EPA OAR OTAQ 11 01 Funding Number: EPA OAR OTAQ 11 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Cultural Landscape Inventories for LBJ Boyhood Home Settlement Area Apply for NPS NOI LYJO J7481110001 Funding Number: NPS NOI LYJO J7481110001 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $38,828 |
| Lower East Side Tenement National Historic Site Apply for NPS 11 NERO 0002 Funding Number: NPS 11 NERO 0002 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $171,000 |
| St. Pauls Church, Eastchester National Historic Site Apply for NPS 11 NERO 0003 Funding Number: NPS 11 NERO 0003 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $290,000 |
| National Fish Passage Program Apply for FWS NFPP FY11 Funding Number: FWS NFPP FY11 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Chesapeake Bay Program Office Fiscal Year 2011 Request for Proposals (RFP) for Coordination and Support for Ecosystem based Fisheries Management (EBFM) Apply for EPA R3 CBP 11 01 Funding Number: EPA R3 CBP 11 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Integrated Assessment of Greenhouse Gases and Climate Impacts Apply for EPA OAR CCD 10 13 Funding Number: EPA OAR CCD 10 13 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| 2012 Fisheries Resources Monitoring Program Apply for F11PS00109 Funding Number: F11PS00109 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| 2011 Partners for Fisheries Monitoring Apply for F11PS00120 Funding Number: F11PS00120 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Quinebaug Shetucket National Heritage Corridor Apply for NPS 11 NERO 0005 Funding Number: NPS 11 NERO 0005 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $712,000 |
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 G2011 STAR A1", 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.
