Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA OSWER OBLR 16 02
Apply for EPA OSWER OBLR 16 02
- The EPA in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BROWNFIELDS COMMUNITIES" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.814.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 05, 2015 and posted on Nov 05, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 21, 2015. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 11 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BROWNFIELDS COMMUNITIES is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discretionary funding competition intended to strengthen local capacity around brownfields challenges. In practical terms, it funds organizations that can deliver hands-on technical assistance to communities dealing with real or perceived contamination on underused or abandoned properties, helping them understand problems, evaluate options, and move toward cleanup and reuse. The focus is not simply on studying brownfields in the abstract, but on providing practical support that helps communities navigate the environmental, technical, and planning questions that often block redevelopment.
This opportunity was issued by the EPA under Funding Opportunity Number EPA OSWER OBLR 16 02 and is tied to CFDA 66.814, which corresponds to EPA brownfields program assistance. The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, meaning EPA expects an active role in the project beyond writing a check. Cooperative agreements typically involve ongoing coordination with EPA staff, progress reporting, and collaboration to ensure the technical assistance aligns with federal program goals and serves communities effectively.
The activity category is Environment, and the program is structured as a technical assistance effort rather than a direct cleanup or site acquisition fund. Applicants are expected to function as service providers that help communities understand brownfields processes and decisions. While the notice text included here is brief, technical assistance in EPA brownfields contexts commonly includes guidance on assessing potential contamination, interpreting environmental data, understanding cleanup and risk management approaches, supporting community engagement, navigating liability and redevelopment considerations, and connecting communities to resources and funding pathways that can support assessment, cleanup, and revitalization. The core idea is to reduce barriers by translating complex environmental and regulatory concepts into actionable next steps for local governments, community groups, and other stakeholders.
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others" with further clarification referenced in an additional eligibility section of the full announcement, and it explicitly mentions eligible non-profit organizations. This implies the competition is not restricted to state or local governments alone and can include qualified entities capable of delivering regionally or nationally relevant technical assistance. In these kinds of programs, EPA typically looks for applicants with demonstrated technical expertise, strong outreach capability, the ability to serve multiple communities, and a plan for delivering assistance in a way that is accessible and responsive to community needs.
From a funding standpoint, the award ceiling is listed at $1,000,000 per award, and EPA anticipated making about 11 awards. That combination suggests a program designed to fund multiple providers, potentially covering different geographic regions, audience types, or specialized technical niches. The intent is usually to ensure broad coverage so that communities across the country have access to credible, consistent assistance rather than leaving support concentrated in only a few places.
Key dates show the opportunity was created and posted on November 5, 2015, with an application closing date of December 21, 2015 (both the original and current closing dates are the same, indicating there was no extension reflected in the provided data). Because the closing date is in 2015, this specific notice is historical, but it still provides a useful picture of how EPA structures brownfields technical assistance competitions: competitive selection, cooperative agreement administration, and emphasis on delivering practical, community-serving expertise.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as funding for organizations that act as technical partners to communities facing brownfields-related obstacles. Rather than paying for cleanup directly, the program aims to unlock progress by giving communities the knowledge, tools, and guidance needed to make informed decisions, engage stakeholders, and move projects from uncertainty toward assessment, remediation planning, and eventual redevelopment that benefits public health, the environment, and local economies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BROWNFIELDS COMMUNITIES (EPA)
1) What is the TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BROWNFIELDS COMMUNITIES grant opportunity?
It is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discretionary funding competition intended to strengthen local capacity to address brownfields challenges. It funds organizations that can provide hands-on technical assistance to communities dealing with real or perceived contamination on underused or abandoned properties, helping them understand issues, evaluate options, and move toward cleanup and reuse.
2) What does "brownfields" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this opportunity, brownfields refers to underused or abandoned properties where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived contamination. The technical assistance supported by the grant is meant to help communities navigate the environmental, technical, and planning questions that often block revitalization.
3) What is the goal of the program?
The goal is to reduce barriers to brownfields redevelopment by translating complex environmental and regulatory concepts into actionable next steps for communities. The emphasis is on practical support that helps communities make informed decisions and move projects forward.
4) Is this grant meant to pay for cleanup or property acquisition?
No. The program is structured as a technical assistance effort rather than a direct cleanup or site acquisition fund. The funded organization is expected to function as a service provider that helps communities understand processes and decisions related to brownfields.
5) What kinds of activities are typically included as "technical assistance" for brownfields?
Based on the description provided, technical assistance commonly includes guidance on assessing potential contamination, interpreting environmental data, understanding cleanup and risk management approaches, supporting community engagement, navigating liability and redevelopment considerations, and connecting communities to resources and funding pathways that support assessment, cleanup, and revitalization.
6) Who is the funding agency and what type of funding is this?
The funding agency is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which generally means EPA expects to have an active role in the project, including coordination with EPA staff and progress reporting.
7) What does it mean that the award is a "cooperative agreement"?
A cooperative agreement indicates that EPA is likely to be substantially involved beyond issuing funds. This typically includes ongoing coordination, collaboration to align technical assistance with federal program goals, and regular progress reporting to ensure communities are being served effectively.
8) What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Environment, and the program is framed specifically as technical assistance to help communities address brownfields-related obstacles.
9) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is EPA OSWER OBLR 16 02.
10) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity and what does it relate to?
The opportunity is tied to CFDA 66.814, which corresponds to EPA brownfields program assistance.
11) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional details referenced in a separate eligibility section of the full announcement. The information provided explicitly mentions eligible non-profit organizations, implying the competition is not limited to state or local governments only.
12) Are non-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The provided information explicitly mentions eligible non-profit organizations.
13) What types of applicants does EPA generally look for in technical assistance competitions like this?
While the notice text provided is brief, it indicates EPA typically looks for applicants that can deliver regionally or nationally relevant technical assistance, with demonstrated technical expertise, strong outreach capability, the ability to serve multiple communities, and an accessible, responsive plan for delivering assistance.
14) How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is listed at $1,000,000 per award.
15) How many awards did EPA anticipate making?
EPA anticipated making about 11 awards.
16) What does the combination of a $1,000,000 ceiling and about 11 awards suggest about the program design?
It suggests a program intended to fund multiple technical assistance providers, potentially covering different geographic regions, audience types, or specialized technical niches, so that support is broadly available to communities across the country.
17) When was this opportunity posted and when did applications close?
The opportunity was created and posted on November 5, 2015. The application closing date was December 21, 2015 (the original and current closing dates match in the provided information).
18) Is this a current opportunity or a historical notice?
Based on the closing date provided (December 21, 2015), this specific notice is historical. However, it still illustrates how EPA structures brownfields technical assistance competitions: competitive selection, cooperative agreement administration, and an emphasis on practical, community-serving expertise.
19) Who benefits from the funded work under this opportunity?
Communities facing brownfields-related obstacles benefit directly from the technical assistance. The funded organizations act as technical partners that help local governments, community groups, and other stakeholders move from uncertainty toward assessment, remediation planning, and redevelopment.
20) What outcomes is the program ultimately trying to support?
The program aims to help communities make progress toward assessment, cleanup planning, and eventual redevelopment and reuse, with benefits to public health, the environment, and local economies.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (EPA OSWER OBLR 16 02) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Desert Tortoise Monitoring Apply for F16AS00033 Funding Number: F16AS00033 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment Funding Amount: $16,700 |
| Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage in the Leading Creek Watershed to Improve Water Quality Apply for F16AS00049 Funding Number: F16AS00049 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment Funding Amount: $46,563 |
| CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTION - TRIBAL LIAISON Apply for BIA CLIMATE 16 0001 Funding Number: BIA CLIMATE 16 0001 Agency: DOI-BIA Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Apply for F16AS00034 Funding Number: F16AS00034 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY 2015 Support for Water Quality Framework Training Workshop, Nonpoint Source Agriculture Training and Technical Assistance, and Hypoxia and Agricultural Nutrient Outreach and Technical Assistance Request for Proposals Apply for EPA OW OWOW 15 04 Funding Number: EPA OW OWOW 15 04 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Southeast New England Program for Coastal Watershed Restoration Apply for EPA R1 SNEP 2016 Funding Number: EPA R1 SNEP 2016 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Puget Sound Action Agenda – Tribal Implementation Lead Apply for EPA R10 PS 2015 002 Funding Number: EPA R10 PS 2015 002 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Chesapeake Bay Program Office Fiscal Year 2016 Request for Proposals for Chesapeake Bay Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Aerial Survey Apply for EPA R3 CBP 16 01 Funding Number: EPA R3 CBP 16 01 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $2,400,000 |
| FY 2016 Support of the Five Star Restoration Training Grant Apply for EPA OW OWOW 15 03 Funding Number: EPA OW OWOW 15 03 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,100,000 |
| FY 2015 Environmental Studies Program AK CMI Apply for M16AS00001 Funding Number: M16AS00001 Agency: DOI-MMS Category: Environment Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| FY16 Guidelines for Brownfields Cleanup Grants Apply for EPA OSWER OBLR 15 06 Funding Number: EPA OSWER OBLR 15 06 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Lower Colorado Region – All Areas – for Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) Grants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Apply for BOR LC 16 001 Funding Number: BOR LC 16 001 Agency: DOI-BOR Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Mojave Shoulderband Snail Field Assessment Apply for F16AS00062 Funding Number: F16AS00062 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Kokee AFS Seabird Monitoring Apply for NWO CESU 03 Funding Number: NWO CESU 03 Agency: DOD-COE-OM Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Avon Park Wildlife Biology Apply for NWO CESU 04 Funding Number: NWO CESU 04 Agency: DOD-COE-OM Category: Environment Funding Amount: $85,000 |
| Coral Reef Initiative Program Apply for CRI 2016 Funding Number: CRI 2016 Agency: DOI Category: Environment Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Conservation Crew for EPMT at Denali National Park Apply for NPS DOIP16AC00080 Funding Number: NPS DOIP16AC00080 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Environment Funding Amount: $27,180 |
| Conservation Crew for EPMT at Wrangle St Elias National Park Apply for NPS DOIP16AC00078 Funding Number: NPS DOIP16AC00078 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Environment Funding Amount: $27,000 |
| UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING SUPPORT IN INDIAN COUNTRY Apply for EPA OLEM OUST 16 03 Funding Number: EPA OLEM OUST 16 03 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Great Lakes Long-Term Biology Monitoring Program: Phytoplankton Component Apply for EPA R5 GL 2016 1 Funding Number: EPA R5 GL 2016 1 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
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