[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 116 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14174]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 17, 1994]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part V
Environmental Protection Agency
_______________________________________________________________________
Solicitation Notice for Fiscal Year 1995; Environmental Education
Grants Program
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-4895-7]
Solicitation Notice for Fiscal Year 1995; Environmental Education
Grants Program
Section I. Important Pre-Application Information
A. What is the purpose of this solicitation notice:
This notice solicits pre-applications from eligible organizations
and institutions for grants to support projects to design, demonstrate,
or disseminate practices, methods, or techniques related to
environmental education as specified under Section 6 of the National
Environmental Education Act of 1990 (the Act). The Section 6
Environmental Education Grants Program is separate from the
Environmental Education and Training Program authorized under Section 5
of the Act in which EPA awards a cooperative agreement on a three year
basis to support a national teacher training program. For information
on the teacher training program, contact the EPA representative listed
at the end of this notice.
B. When is my pre-application due to EPA and when will EPA announce the
grant awards?
Pre-applications (a signed original plus two copies of the
original) must be mailed to EPA postmarked no later than Friday,
October 14, 1994. Pre-applications which are postmarked after October
14, 1994 will not be considered for funding. EPA expects to announce
the grant awards in the Spring of 1995.
C. Do I mail my pre-application to EPA headquarters or an EPA regional
office? Is there a difference between the type of project that is
funded by EPA headquarters as opposed to EPA's regional offices?
Pre-applications requesting between $25,001 and $250,000 in federal
environmental education grant funds must be mailed to EPA headquarters
in Washington, DC. Pre-applications requesting $25,000 or less in
federal environmental education grant funds must be mailed to the EPA
regional office where the project will take place (rather than to the
regional office where the applicant is located, if these locations are
different). A list of addresses is included at the end of this notice.
The EPA headquarters and regional grants will be evaluated using the
same criteria as defined in this solicitation. The only difference
between grants that are awarded by EPA headquarters and by EPA's
regional offices is the size of the grant.
D. Where do I get the information and forms needed to prepare my pre-
application?
EPA strongly encourages applicants to read the solicitation notice
carefully. This notice contains all the information and forms necessary
to prepare a pre-application. If your project is selected as a finalist
after the evaluation process is concluded, EPA will provide you with
additional forms that must be completed in order to process your pre-
application further.
E. How much money can I request and how does the dollar amount
requested affect my chance of being funded?
Applicants may request up to the statutory ceiling of $250,000 in
environmental education grant funds for any one grant. However, pre-
applications which request relatively small amounts of funding have a
much better chance of being funded because EPA awards a much greater
number of grants at lower funding levels. A significant number of small
awards are made because EPA is required, under Section 6(i) of the Act,
to award 25% of funds for grants of $5,000 or less. In addition, EPA
has chosen to award very few of the largest grants (e.g., those over
$100,000) so that we may support a greater number of efforts. Thus,
your chance of being funded increases dramatically as the amount of
money you request decreases as illustrated below.
EPA has awarded grants under the Environmental Education Grants
Program in Fiscal Years 1992, 1993, and 1994. Individual awards have
ranged from less than $5,000 up to $250,000. During this three year
period, EPA has funded only about 10 proposals annually for projects
requesting between $25,001 and $250,000; only 1 proposal each year has
been funded at or near the $250,000 level. By contrast, EPA has funded
about 30 proposals annually for projects requesting between $5,001 and
$25,000. Furthermore, EPA has funded about 200 proposals annually for
projects requesting $5,000 or less. EPA has received between 1,500 and
3,000 pre-applications each year. To increase your chance of obtaining
funding in FY 1995, EPA strongly encourages applicants to request
regional grants of $5,000 or less. If larger sums are needed, EPA
strongly encourages applicants to request a headquarters grant closer
to $25,000 rather than the maximum of $250,000.
Section II. Laws and Regulations Governing Grants Program
F. Under what authority has this grants program been established and
what laws and regulations do I need to follow in applying for a grant?
On November 16, 1990, the President signed the National
Environmental Education Act (Pub. L. 101-619) into law. Section 6 of
the Act requires that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
administer an environmental education grants program to support
projects that design, demonstrate, or disseminate practices, methods,
or techniques related to environmental education. The Act also requires
that EPA establish a program which includes a process for soliciting,
selecting, supervising, evaluating results, and disseminating
information on the effectiveness of projects funded under this program.
EPA published the Environmental Education Grant Program Regulations
in the Federal Register on March 9, 1992 which provides additional
information on how EPA is administering this program (57 FR 8390; Title
40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 47 (40 CFR part 47). In
addition to the requirements of the Act and part 47, recipients of
section 6 grants must comply with EPA's general assistance regulations
at 40 CFR part 31 for states, local governments, and Indian tribes and
Part 30 for all others.
G. How much money has Congress appropriated for this grants program?
The Act requires that 38% of the total funds Congress appropriates
in a given fiscal year under the National Environmental Education Act
be awarded as grants under the section 6 environmental education grants
program. Based on this percentage, EPA has awarded approximately $8.1
million in grants under section 6 of the Act over the past three years
(approximately $2.5 in Fiscal Year 1992, $2.7 in Fiscal Year 1993, and
$2.9 in Fiscal Year 1994). EPA will award grants in Fiscal Year 1995
subject to the amount of funds appropriated by Congress. EPA may use up
to 15% of these funds to support environmental education projects which
meet the requirements under section 6, but are outside of the
competitive process established under the solicitation notice. If funds
are used in this manner, EPA will publish a separate solicitation
notice in the Federal Register to cover the award of these funds.
Section III. Eligible Applicants
H. Who is eligible to submit pre-applications?
Any local or tribal education agency, college or university, state
education or environmental agency, not-for-profit organization, or
noncommercial educational broadcasting entity may submit a pre-
application. These terms are defined in Section 3 of the Act and 40 CFR
47.105.
I. May an organization submit more than one pre-application for Fiscal
Year 1995?
Yes, an organization may submit more than one pre-application for
Fiscal Year 1995, but only if the pre-applications are for completely
different projects. For example, a national non-profit organization or
a large university may wish to submit pre-applications from different
chapters or departments for different projects. No organization will be
awarded more than one grant for the same project during the same fiscal
year.
J. May I submit a pre-application for Fiscal Year 1995 even though I
have been awarded funding under this program for Fiscal Years 1992,
1993, and/or 1994?
Yes, applicants who were awarded funding previously may submit a
pre-application for Fiscal Year 1995. The Fiscal Year 1995 pre-
application may or may not have any relationship to the project funded
in a previous year. Every pre-application for Fiscal Year 1995 will be
evaluated based upon the merit of the proposed project in relation to
the other Fiscal Year 1995 pre-applications and the new criteria set
forth in this solicitation, regardless of whether the proposal would
expand a project funded in a previous year.
K. May a teacher or educator apply?
No, an individual teacher or educator cannot apply. Only education
agencies and organizations--not individuals--are eligible to apply for
grants. For example, a teacher's school, school district, or state or
local education agency or organization may apply.
Section IV. Eligible Activities and Funding Priorities
L. What type of activities are eligible for funding under this program?
As specified in the Act, the environmental education activities
that are eligible to receive funding under this program must include at
least one of, but are not limited to, the following:
1. The design, demonstration, or dissemination of environmental
curricula, including development of educational tools and material;
2. The design and demonstration of field methods, practices, and
techniques, including assessment of environmental and ecological
conditions and analysis of environmental pollution problems;
3. The assessment of a specific environmental issue or a specific
environmental problem;
4. The provision of training or related education for teachers,
faculty, or related personnel in a specific geographic area or region;
and
5. The design and demonstration of projects to foster international
cooperation in addressing environmental issues and problems involving
the United States and Canada or Mexico.
In reference to Section IV.L.1. above, EPA strongly encourages
applicants to focus on the demonstration or dissemination of existing
environmental curricula rather than the design or development of new
curricula. Environmental educators and other experts have conveyed to
EPA that the field needs to improve its use and dissemination of
existing curricula more than it needs to develop new curricula.
Focusing on demonstrating or disseminating existing curricula will also
help ensure that federal funds are not used to duplicate already
existing curricula.
Nonetheless, EPA does recognize that there are gaps in the types of
curricula that presently exist and that there is some difficulty in
gaining access to quality materials. Thus, applicants who propose to
design new curricula in their pre-applications must demonstrate that
there is a need to develop these new materials.
For example, the applicant may show that the curriculum proposed
for development has not been designed for a particular target audience,
that existing curricula cannot be adapted well to a particular local
environmental concern, or that existing curricula are not otherwise
readily accessible. In demonstrating the need for new curricula, the
applicant must specify what steps they have taken to determine this
need (e.g., the applicant may cite a conference where this need was
discussed, the results of inquiries made within the community or with
various educational institutions or organizations, or a published
survey or research document).
M. What activities are not eligible for funding under this program?
Funds cannot be used for:
1. construction projects;
2. technical training of environmental management professionals;
3. non-educational research and development; and/or
4. environmental information projects.
In reference to Section IV.M.1., EPA will not fund construction
activities such as the acquisition of real property (including
buildings) or the construction or modification of any building. EPA
may, however, fund activities such as creating a nature trail or
building a bird watching station as long as these items are an integral
part of the proposed project.
In reference to Section IV.M.4., EPA will fund only environmental
education projects as opposed to projects that are solely designed to
develop or disseminate environmental information. The long term goal of
environmental education is to increase public awareness and knowledge
about environmental issues as well as provide the public with the
skills necessary to make informed decisions and the motivation to take
responsible actions. Environmental education enhances critical-
thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision-making skills and may
take place in formal or informal settings. Environmental education
engages and motivates individuals, and enables them to weigh various
sides of an environmental issue to make informed and responsible
decisions.
Environmental information provides facts or opinions about
environmental issues or problems, but does not enhance critical-
thinking, problem-solving, or effective decision-making skills.
Although information is an essential element of an educational effort,
environmental information is not, by itself, environmental education.
N. What kind of projects will EPA consider funding?
EPA will consider funding only those proposed projects which meet
the criteria specified under #1 and #2 below. Any proposed project
which does not meet these criteria will not be funded.
1. As required under the Act, all projects must develop an
environmental education practice, method, or technique which meets all
three of the following criteria:
a. Is new or significantly improved;
b. Demonstrates the potential for wide application; and
c. Addresses a high priority environmental issue.
EPA defined the terms ``new or significantly improved,'' ``wide
application,'' and ``a high priority environmental issue'' in
``relative terms'' (i.e., applicants must define these terms as they
relate to their individual projects). For example, in reference to
Section IV.N.1.a., EPA may consider a project new or significantly
improved if it reaches a specific community or audience for the first
time, develops a new or improved teaching strategy, or uses a new or
improved method of applying existing materials.
In reference to Section IV.N.1.b., EPA may consider a project to
have wide application if it targets a large and diverse audience in
terms of numbers and demographics. It may also have wide application if
it can serve as a model program elsewhere such as another school,
community, state, or region.
In reference to Section IV.N.1.c., EPA may consider that a project
addresses a high priority environmental issue if the applicant
demonstrates that a particular issue is important to the community,
state, or region being targeted by the project. For example, one
community may have significant air pollution problems which would make
teaching about solutions to air pollution important to that community.
In another community, unplanned development may threaten a nearby
wildlife habitat, thus, making habitat or ecosystem protection a high
priority issue. In still another community, urban decay may make
education about lead poisoning from paint or lead pipes important,
especially for culturally diverse or low-income residents who often
live in inner-city communities.
2. All proposals must also focus on one of the following types of
projects:
a. Projects that improve educators' environmental education
teaching skills (e.g., through workshops);
b. Projects that build state, local, or tribal capacity to develop
and deliver environmental education programs;
c. Projects that educate members of a community through a
grassroots community-based organization; or
d. Projects that motivate the general public to be more
environmentally conscious in making informed decisions and taking
responsible actions through vehicles such as print, film, or broadcast
media.
All pre-applications must clearly identify which type of project,
described under Section IV.N.2.a, b, c, or d above, the proposal will
focus on. Note that these types of projects have been chosen precisely
because they reach different audiences through different means. EPA
believes that requiring you to focus on one of the above types of
projects will help ensure that your proposal has a clear target
audience and a well defined vehicle for reaching that audience.
Although your proposal may include more than one of the types of
projects described above, doing so will not likely improve your chance
of being funded (unless focusing on more than one strengthens rather
than dilutes the focus of your proposal). EPA's overall goal is to fund
a balanced range of projects to increase environmental literacy
throughout the country as described under Section VI.V.1-6.
In reference to Section IV.N.2.a., the term workshop refers to
training activities that better prepare educators to utilize existing
or new environmental education materials. Such workshops may be
directed toward young people and/or adults in formal and/or informal
settings. A formal setting is a school or other similar institution
devoted to learning and an informal setting includes institutions such
as museums, nature centers, parks, and community centers.
Workshops should emphasize the process, problem-solving, and
investigative approach to learning that is a fundamental aspect of most
established environmental education materials and curricula. Workshops
should, in all cases, use a ``hands-on'' process approach to learning
that leads to the development of problem-solving and critical-thinking
skills. Workshops may be specific to a particular set of environmental
education materials and may include youth leaders and other
professionals who work in the environmental education field.
In reference to Section IV.N.2.b., the term building state, local,
or tribal capacity refers to the development and implementation of
plans designed to improve the coordinated delivery of environmental
education at the state, local, or tribal level. Pre-applications
addressing this priority should involve a coordinated effort by the
primary environmental education providers from the respective state,
local, or tribal government in the planning and implementation of the
project. Examples of primary environmental education providers includes
State Departments of Education or Natural Resources, local school
districts, and state, local, and tribal environmental education
coordinating councils or associations. Examples of how an applicant may
propose to build state, local, or tribal capacity includes the
development of plans for:
Identifying and assessing needs as well as setting
priorities for environmental education;
Creating grant programs or identifying funding sources for
environmental education providers; and/or
Identifying environmental education teacher training
needs.
In reference to Section IV.N.2.c., the term grassroots community-
based organization refers to organizations in which local problems are
addressed by individuals who reside in the community being served.
Section V. The Pre-Application
O. What is a pre-application?
The pre-application contains three parts: (1) The ``Application for
Federal Assistance'' (Standard Form 424/SF 424, attached), (2) the
``Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs'' (Standard Form 424A/
SF 424A, attached), and (3) a work plan (described below). To ensure
your pre-application is completed properly, carefully follow the
instructions on the SF 424, SF 424A, and those provided below. The SF
424, SF 424A, and the completed work plan contain all the information
EPA will use to evaluate the merits of your pre-application. Applicants
will not be asked to submit additional information to support their
projects unless applicants are identified as finalist. Finalists will
be asked to submit various other forms necessary to complete formal
application.
P. Are matching funds required?
Yes, non-federal matching funds of at least 25% of the total cost
of the project are required, although EPA encourages matching funds of
greater than 25%. Federal funds to support the project must not exceed
75% of the total cost of the project. The 25% match may be provided by
the applicant or any other organization or institution, except that no
portion of the 25% match can include federal funds (unless specifically
authorized by statute). The 25% match may be provided in cash or by in-
kind contributions and other non-cash support. In-kind contributions
often include salaries or other verifiable costs. In the case of
salaries, applicants may use either minimum wage or fair market value.
The proposed match, including the value of in-kind contributions, is
subject to negotiation with EPA. All grants are subject to audit, so
the value of in-kind contributions must be carefully documented.
The matching non-federal share is a percentage of the entire cost
of the project. For example, if the 75% federal portion is $5,000, then
the entire project should, at a minimum, have a budget of $6,667, with
the recipient providing a contribution of $1,667. The amount of non-
federal funds, including in-kind contributions, must be briefly
itemized in Block 15 of the SF 424 included at the end of this notice.
Q. Can I use federal funds other than those provided by this program to
support the same project?
Yes, you may use federal funds other than those provided by the
Environmental Educational Grants Program to support the same project,
but only for different activities. Furthermore, you may not use any
federal funds to meet all or any part of the required 25% match as
stated in Section V.P. above. If you have already been awarded federal
funds for a project in which you are seeking additional support from
this program, you must indicate in the budget section of the work plan
that you have been awarded other federal support for this project. You
must also identify the project officer, agency, office, address, phone
number, and the amount of the award.
R. Can I request funding for any budget category on the SF 424A (i.e.,
personnel/salaries, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies,
contractual, construction, and indirect charges)?
Yes, you may request funding for any of the budget categories
identified above with the following exceptions. First, as indicated
under Section VI.M.1. above, EPA will not fund the acquisition of real
property (including buildings) or the construction or modification of
any building under this program.
Second, you may request funds to pay for salaries, but only for
those personnel who are directly involved in implementing the proposed
project and whose salaries are directly related to specific products or
outcomes of the proposed project. EPA also strongly encourages
applicants to request reasonable amounts of funding for salaries.
Third, you may include a request for indirect costs if your
organization has already negotiated and received an indirect cost rate
from the federal government.
S. What must the pre-application contain and how must the information
be presented in the pre-application?
The pre-application must contain an SF 424, and SF 424A, and a work
plan as described below:
1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424). The SF 424 is an
official form required for all federal grants. A completed SF 424 must
be submitted as part of your pre-application. This form, along with
instructions and a sample, are included at the end of this notice.
Please carefully review the instructions and the sample.
2. Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A). The SF
424A is an official form required for all federal grants. A completed
SF 424A must be submitted as part of your pre-application. This form,
along with instructions and a sample, are included at the end of this
notice. Please carefully review the instructions and the sample. Refer
to Section V.R. above for information on what types of activities can
and cannot be funded.
3. Work Plan. A work plan describes the applicant's proposed
project. Work plans must contain all four sections (a-d) submitted in
the format described below. Each section of the work plan is assigned
points which indicate how your proposal will be scored. Note that
certain sections and subsections are given more points than others.
Work plans must contain the following four sections:
a. Project Summary: A synopsis of no more than one page stating:
(1) The nature of the organization requesting funds;
(2) The type of project proposed as described under Section IV.N.2;
(3) The overall purpose and specific objective of the project;
(4) The target audience as well as the total number of individuals
to be reached and their demographics;
(5) The expected results of the project; and
(6) How the funds will be used. (Do not include a detailed budget
in the summary section).
The project summary will be scored on its overall clarity and the
extent to which all six of the subsections identified above are
addressed.
Project Summary Maximum Score: 12 points (2 points for each of the
six subsections identified above)
b. Project Description: A concise description which explains how
the proposed project meets #1 and #2 below.
(1) Explain how the proposed project (a) is new or significantly
improved, (b) has wide application, and (c) addresses a priority issue
as described under Section IV.N.1.a, b, and c.
This subsection will be scored on the extent to which you clearly,
fully, and effectively explain how your proposal meets the three
elements identified above. Subsection maximum score: 15 points (5
points for each of the three elements identified above)
(2) Explain how the proposed project (a) improves teaching skills;
(b) builds state, local, or tribal capacity; (c) reaches a community
through a grassroots community-based organization; or (d) motivates the
general public as described under section IV.N.2.a, b, c, or d.
This subsection will be scored on the extent to which you clearly,
fully, and effectively: (a) Identify which type of project you have
chosen from among the four types identified above, (b) establish
realistic goals and objectives, (c) identify an effective means to
implement your project, and (d) demonstrate how your project enhances
critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Subsection maximum score: 44 points (11 points for each of the four
elements identified in this paragraph)
Project Description Maximum Score: 59 Points
c. Project Evaluation and Sustainability: A discussion of the
following:
(1) The anticipated strengths and challenges in implementing your
project;
(2) The expected outcome of your project (i.e., how you will know
whether your project is successful); and
(3) The sustainability of your project over the long-term (i.e.,
how the benefits of your project will be sustained over the long-term
after the EPA budget period is completed).
Project Evaluation and Sustainability Maximum Score: 9 points (3
points for each of the three elements identified above)
d. Appendices: Attachments to the work plan which contain
information on the budget, key personnel, and letters of commitment.
(1) Budget: An appendix with a budget describing how funds will be
used for personnel/salaries, fringe benefits, travel, equipment,
supplies, contract costs, and indirect costs. You must include budget
milestones for each major proposed activity and a timetable showing the
month/year they will be completed.
This subsection will be scored on the extent to which (a) the
budget information clearly and accurately shows how funds will be used,
and (b) the funding request is reasonable given the activities
proposed. Subsection maximum score: 10 points (5 points for each of the
two elements described in this paragraph)
(2) Key Personnel and Letters of Commitment: An appendix with one
or two page resumes for up to three key personnel implementing the
project. Also, you are required to include one page letters of
commitment from any partner with a significant role in the proposed
project. Letters of endorsement will not be considered in evaluating
pre-applications.
This subsection will be scored based upon whether resumes of key
personnel are included and the extent to which the resumes show that
the key personnel are qualified to implement the proposed project. In
addition, the score will reflect whether letters of commitment are
included (if partners are used) and the extent to which a firm
commitment is made. Subsection maximum score: 10 points
Appendices Maximum Score: 20 Points
Work plans must be no more than 10 pages for requests for federal
funds of more than $5,000 from this environmental education grants
program and no more than 5 pages for requests of $5,000 or less. These
page limits apply only to Section V.S.3.a, b, and c. of the work plan
(i.e., the ``summary,'' ``project description,'' and ``project
evaluation and sustainability''). These page limits do not apply to
Section V.S.3.d. (i.e., the ``appendices''). ``One page'' refers to one
side of a single-spaced typed page. The pages must be letter sized
(8\1/2\ x 11 inches), with normal type size (10 or 12 cpi) and at
least 1 inch margins. To conserve paper, please provide double-sided
copies of the pre-application.
The only appendices EPA will accept are a budget, resumes of key
personnel, and commitment letters from organizations with a significant
role in the project. EPA will not accept brochures, video tapes,
notebooks, photographs, curriculum samples, or any other supporting
material not described as part of the work plan under Section V.S.3.a,
b, c, and d.
T. How Must the Pre-Application Be Submitted?
The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the
preapplication (a signed SF 424, an SF 424A, and a work plan). The pre-
application must be signed by a person authorized to receive funds.
Please sign the original pre-application in blue ink to help EPA
distinguish which document is the signed original and which documents
are copies. Pre-applications must be reproducible. They should be
stapled once in the upper left hand corner, on white paper, and with
page numbers in the upper right hand corner.
Section VI. Review and Selection Process
U. How will pre-applications be reviewed and who will conduct the
reviews?
Pre-applications will be reviewed in two phases--the screening
phase and the evaluation phase. During the screening phase, pre-
applications will be reviewed to determine whether they are consistent
with the requirements described in Section IV.L.1-5., Section IV.M.1-
4., and Section V.S.3.a-d. Only those pre-applications which meet all
of these requirements will enter the evaluation phase of the review
process. During the evaluation phase, pre-applications will be
evaluated based upon the quality of their work plans, especially the
degree to which the work plan meets the requirements set forth in
Section IV.N.1.a-c. and Section IV.N.2.a-d.
Reviewers conducting the screening and evaluation phases of the
review process will include EPA officials and external environmental
educators approved by EPA. At the conclusion of the evaluation phase,
the reviewers will rank each applicant's work plan based upon the
scoring system identified in Section V.S.3.a, b, c, and d.
V. How will the final selections be made?
After individual projects are evaluated and ranked by the reviewers
as described under Section VI.U. above, EPA officials in the regions
and at headquarters will identify finalists among the highest ranking
pre-applications. In identifying finalists and making final selections,
EPA's goal is to fund projects that, when viewed together, provide a
balance among the types of projects being funded, by taking into
account the following:
1. The target audience and their socioeconomic status;
2. The methods used to reach the target audience;
3. The type of organization submitting the proposal and/or whether
the proposal makes effective use of partnerships;
4. The type of environmental issue addressed;
5. The geographic location of the project; and
6. The cost.
In reference to socioeconomic status, under Section VI.V.1. above,
EPA's goal is to encourage applicants to submit proposals that promote
environmental justice for culturally-diverse and low-income
populations. EPA hopes to fund many proposals which score high in the
evaluation process and which promote environmental justice. The term
environmental justice refers to the fair treatment of people of all
races, cultures, and income with respect to the development,
implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and
policies. Fair treatment means that no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic
group should bear a disproportionate share of the negative
environmental consequences resulting from the operation of industrial,
municipal, and commercial enterprises and from the execution of
federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies.
Efforts to address environmental justice through environmental
education may include educational programs that provide culturally-
diverse and low-income populations with critical-thinking, problem-
solving, and decision-making skills to identify, assess, and address an
environmental problem that has a disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental impact in their community.
In reference to the effective use of partnerships, under Section
VI.V.3. above, EPA's goal is to encourage applicants to submit
proposals which form partnerships, where possible. EPA hopes to fund
many proposals which score high in the evaluation process and which
promote the effective use of partnerships between organizations. The
term partnerships refers to forming a collaborative working
relationship between two or more organizations such as governmental
agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and/or
the private sector.
In reference to the type of environmental issue, under Section
VI.V.4. above, EPA's goal is to encourage applicant to submit proposals
which use pollution prevention concepts or techniques to address a high
priority environmental issue (as discussed under Section IV.N.1.c.).
EPA hopes to fund many proposals which score high in the evaluation
process and which convey the importance of pollution prevention. The
term pollution prevention refers to reducing or eliminating waste or
pollution at the source. It means not creating waste or pollution in
the first place, instead of deciding how to recycle, treat, or dispose
of waste and pollution that has already been created. Pollution
prevention may include increasing energy efficiency and resource
conservation efforts, as well as finding non-polluting substitutes for
existing products and activities.
Pollution prevention is not the only strategy that EPA uses to
reduce risk to public health and the environment, but it is EPA's
preferred approach. Efforts to promote pollution prevention through
environmental education may include projects that educate the public
about the value of preventive approaches to environmental problems and
the choices they can make in their everyday lives to minimize adverse
effects of human activities on the environment (e.g., in the home, work
place, market place, and/or community).
EPA Regional Administrators will select grant recipients for
projects with federal environmental education grant funding of $25,000
or less, taking into account the recommendations of the regional
environmental education coordinators who will base their
recommendations on the factors discussed above. The Associate
Administrator for Communications, Education, and Public Affairs at EPA
headquarters will select the grant recipients for projects with federal
environmental education grant funding of more than $25,000 and up to
$250,000, taking into account the recommendations of the Environmental
Education Division Director who will base the recommendations on the
factors discussed above.
W. How and when will I be notified about the status of my proposal?
Headquarters and each regional office set up their own processes
for notifying applicants about the status of their proposals. Our goal
is to keep applicants informed as much as possible about the status of
their proposals and to assist those applicants who do not receive
funding to successfully compete in future years. To this end, all
applicants will be notified (in mid-December 1994) after their pre-
applications have been received and entered into a computerized data
base, and again (in late April to early May 1995) after awards have
been announced. To the extent possible, EPA will also provide
applicants with feedback on those proposals which were screened out of
the process early and on how proposals were evaluated. The degree to
which EPA can provide such feedback will vary among EPA offices
depending upon the availability of resources to conduct these
activities.
X. Where may I obtain more information on possible sources of funding
other than this program?
The large number of pre-applications EPA received in Fiscal Years
1992, 1993, and 1994 demonstrates the strong demand for funding
environmental education projects. EPA expects an equally large demand
for funding for Fiscal Year 1995. Unfortunately, EPA alone cannot meet
this demand. Thus, in cooperation with EPA, the North American
Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has developed a
publication called ``Grant Funding For Your Environmental Education
Program'' which provides strategies for identifying potential sources
of funding. This publication can be purchased for a $5.00 fee by
writing to NAAEE, Publications and Member Services, P.O. Box 400, Troy,
Ohio, 45373.
Section VII. Grant Recipient Activities
Y. When can I begin incurring costs?
Grant recipients may begin incurring costs on the start date that
is identified in your grant agreement with EPA. Since EPA plans to
announce awards in the Spring of 1995, EPA recommends that you do not
plan to begin incurring costs until June of 1995.
Z. When must proposed activities be completed?
EPA strongly encourages grant recipients to complete their projects
within the time period specified in the pre-application. Extensions may
be granted only in extenuating circumstances.
AA. May an applicant request Fiscal Year 1995 funds for a project that
extends beyond a one-year budget period?
Pre-applications submitted to EPA regional offices for up to $5,000
may request funds for only a one-year budget period. Pre-applications
submitted to EPA regional offices or headquarters requesting funds of
more than $5,000 may request funds for up to a two-year budget period,
although EPA strongly encourages applicants to request funds for only a
one-year budget period.
BB. Who will perform projects and activities?
The Act requires that projects be performed by the applicant or by
a person satisfactory to the applicant and EPA. All pre-applications
must identify any person other than the applicant that will assist in
carrying out the project.
CC. What reports and work products must grant recipients submit to EPA
and when are they due?
All grant recipients must submit three copies of their final report
and three copies of all work products to the EPA project officer within
30 days after the expiration of the budget period. This report will be
accepted as the final report unless the EPA project officer notifies
you, within 30 days of your submittal date, that changes must be made.
Grant recipients with projects that have a two-year budget period must
also submit a progress report at the end of the first year. Grant
recipients with a federal environmental education grant share greater
than $5,000 may also be required to submit a quarterly or semi-annual
progress report. Specific report requirements will be identified in
your award agreement with EPA.
DD. What does EPA plan to do with the grant recipients' final reports
and final work products?
Copies of all final reports and final work products will be
assembled in a central library at EPA headquarters. EPA will evaluate
these final reports and final work products and may disseminate these
items to others to serve as model programs.
Section VIII--Additional Information on Preparing Pre-Applications
and for Fiscal Year 1996 Program
EE. Where can I get additional information in preparing my pre-
application?
EPA strongly encourages applicants to carefully read the
solicitation notice. Many questions, such as when is the deadline for
submitting pre-applications and what activities can be funded under
this program, are answered in this solicitation. Nonetheless, if you
need more information about this grant program or clarification about
specific requirements in this solicitation notice, you may contact the
EPA Environmental Education Division in Washington, DC for grant
requests of more than $25,000 or your EPA regional office for grant
requests of $25,000 or less. A list of the names and telephone numbers
of EPA representatives are listed at the end of this notice.
In addition, you may contact the National Consortium for
Environmental Education and Training (NCEET) at the University of
Michigan for general information on current environmental education
activities and recent developments in the field (e.g., information
about current in-service teacher education needs and opportunities as
well as resources that identify environmental education organizations,
curricula, and research). NCEET can also provide you with a list of all
environmental education grants awarded by EPA in FY 1992, FY 1993, and
FY 1994 as well as summaries of those projects completed under the FY
1992 program. NCEET will not provide sample curricula nor will they
evaluate products or funding proposals. NCEET was established in 1992
with financial support from EPA to facilitate teacher training
opportunities. You may contact NCEET by writing to NCEET, School of
Natural Resources, University of Michigan, Dana Building Ann Arbor,
Michigan 48109-1115 or by calling 313-998-6726.
FF. How can I get information on the Fiscal Year 1996 EPA Environmental
Education Grants Program?
After the Fiscal Year 1995 grants process is completed, EPA will
develop an entirely new mailing list for the Fiscal Year 1996
solicitation. The Fiscal Year 1996 mailing list will include all
applicants who submitted pre-applications for Fiscal Year 1995 as well
as anyone else who specifically requests to be placed on the mailing
list. If you did not submit a pre-application for Fiscal Year 1995 and
you wish to be added to our mailing list to receive information on the
Fiscal Year 1996 Environmental Education Grants Program, you must mail
your request--please do not telephone--along with your name,
organization, address, and phone number to: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Environmental Education Division (1707), FY 1996
Environmental Education Grants Program, 401 M Street SW., Washington,
DC 20460.
Approved by:
Loretta M. Ucelli,
Associate Administrator; Office of Communications, Education and Public
Affairs.
U.S. EPA Representatives and Mailing Addresses
U.S. EPA Headquarters--For Grants Over $25,000
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Env Ed Grants, Environmental
Education, Division (1707/Room 333WT), Office of Communications,
Education, and Public Affairs, 401 M Street, SW. Washington, DC 20460
Information: George Walker or Kathleen MacKinnon, Environmental
Education Specialists, 202-260-8619 or 202-260-4951
U.S. EPA Regional Offices--For Grants of $25,000 or Less
EPA Region I--Ct, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region I, Env Ed Grants, Henry
Gurrell, Chief, Grants Information and Management Section, JFK Federal
Building (PGI), Boston, MA 02203
Hand-deliver to: One Congress Street, 11th Floor, Mail Room, Boston, MA
02114 (8am-4pm), Information: Maria Pirie, Environmental Education
Coordinator, 617-565-9447
EPA Region II--NJ, NY, PR, VI
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region II, Env Ed Grants, Grants
Administration Branch, 26 Federal Plaza (room 1714), New York, NY 10278
Information: Teresa Ippolito, Environmental Education Coordinator, 212-
264-2980
EPA Region III--DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region III, Env Ed Grants, Grants
Management Chief (3PM71), Grants Management Section, 841 Chestnut
Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Information: Bonnie Smith or Amelia Libertz, Environmental Education
Coordinators, 215-597-9076 or 215-597-9817
EPA Region IV--AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region IV, Env Ed Grants, Office of
Public Affairs (E2), 345 Courtland Street, NE., Atlanta, GA 30365
Information: Rae Hallisey, Environmental Education Office, 404-347-3004
EPA Region V--IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
Mail pre-applications to:
U.S. EPA, Region V, Env Ed Grants, Grants Management Section (MC-10J),
77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604
Information: Suzanne Saric, Environmental Education Coordinator, 312-
353-3209
Region VI--AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region VI, Env Ed Grants,
Environmental Education Coordinator (6X), 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX
75202
Information: Sandy Sevier, Environmental Education Coordinator, 214-
655-2204
Region VII--IA, KS, MO, NE
Mail pre-application to: U.S. EPA, Region VII, Env Ed Grants, Grants
Administration Division, 726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
Information: Rowena Michaels, Environmental Education Coordinator, 913-
551-7003
Region VIII--CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region VIII, Env Ed Grants, 999
18th Street (80EA), Denver, CO 80202-2466
Information : Cece Forget, Environmental Education Coordinator, 303-
294-1113
Region IX--AZ, CA, HI, NV, American Somoa, Guam, Northern Marianas,
Republic of Palau
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region IX, Env Ed Grants, Office of
Public Affairs (E2), 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Information: Ida Tolliver, Environmental Education Coordinator, 415-
744-1581 or 1582
Region X--AK, ID, OR, WA
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region X, Env Ed Grants, Public
Information Center (SO-143), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
Information: Sally Hanft, Environmental Education Coordinator, 206-553-
1207
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M
TN17JN94.045
BILLING CODE 6560-50-C
Instructions for the SF 424
This is a standard form used by applicants as a required
facesheet for preapplications and applications submitted for Federal
assistance. It will be used by Federal agencies to obtain applicant
certification that States which have established a review and
comment procedure in response to Executive Order 12372 and have
selected the program to be included in their process, have been
given an opportunity to review the applicant's submission.
Item and Entry
1. Self-explanatory.
2. Date application submitted to Federal agency (or State if
applicable) & applicant's control number (if applicable).
3. State use only (if applicable).
4. If this application is to continue or revise an existing
award, enter present Federal identifier number. If for a new
project, leave blank.
5. Legal name of applicant, name of primary organizational unit
which will undertake the assistance activity, complete address of
the applicant, and name and telephone number of the person to
contact on matters related to this application.
6. Enter Employer Identification Number (EIN) as assigned by the
Internal Revenue Service.
7. Enter the appropriate letter in the space provided.
8. Check appropriate box and enter appropriate letter(s) in the
space(s) provided:
--``New'' means a new assistance award.
--``Continuation'' means an extension for an additional funding/
budget period for a project with a projected completion date.
--``Revision'' means any change in the Federal Government's
financial obligation or contingent liability from an existing
obligation.
9. Name of Federal agency from which assistance is being
requested with this application.
10. Use the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and
title of the program under which assistance is requested.
11. Enter a brief descriptive title of the project. If more than
one program is involved, you should append an explanation on a
separate sheet. If appropriate (e.g., construction or real property
projects), attach a map showing project location. For
preapplications, use a separate sheet to provide a summary
description of this project. Also circle a b c or d to indicate the
focus of project as described in Section I.2 of Solicitation Notice.
12. List only the largest political entities affected (e.g.,
State, counties, cities).
13. Self-explanatory.
14. List the applicant's Congressional District and any
District(s) affected by the program or project.
15. Amount requested or to be contributed during the first
funding/budget period by each contributor. Value of in-kind
contributions should be included on appropriate lines as applicable.
If the action will result in a dollar change to an existing award,
indicate only the amount of the change. For decreases, enclose the
amounts in parentheses. If both basic and supplemental amounts are
included, show breakdown on an attached sheet. For multiple program
funding, use totals and show breakdown using same categories as item
15.
16. Applicants should contact the State Single Point of Contact
(SPOC) for Federal Executive Order 12372 to determine whether the
application is subject to the State intergovernmental review
process.
17. This question applies to the applicant organization, not the
person who signs as the authorized representative. Categories of
debt include delinquent audit disallowances, loans and taxes.
18. To be signed by the authorized representative of the
applicant. A copy of the governing body's authorization for you to
sign this application as official representative must be on file in
the applicant's office. (Certain Federal agencies may require that
this authorization be submitted as part of the application.)
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M
TN17JN94.046
TN17JN94.047
Instructions for the SF-424A
All applications should contain a breakdown by the object class
categories shown in Lines a-k if Section B.
Section B Budget Categories
In the column headings (1) through (4), enter the titles of the
same programs, functions, and activities shown on Lines 1-4, Column
(a), Section A. When additional sheets are prepared for Section A,
provide similar column headings on each sheet. For each program,
function or activity, fill in the total requirements for funds (both
Federal and non-Federal) by object class categories.
Lines 6a-i--Show the totals of lines 6a to 6h in each column.
Line 6j--Show the amount of indirect cost.
Line 6k--Enter the total of amounts on Lines 6i and 6j. For all
applications for new grants and continuation grants the total amount in
column (5), Line 6k, should be the same as the total amount shown in
Section A, Column (g), Line 5. For Supplemental grants and changes to
grants, the total amount of the increase or decrease as shown in
Columns (1)-(4), Line 6k should be the same as the sum of the amounts
in Section A, Columns (e) and (f) on Line 5.
Line 7--Enter the estimated amount of income, if any, expected to
be generated from this project. Do not add or subtract this amount from
the total project amount. Show under the program narrative statement
the nature and source of income. The estimated amount of program income
may be considered by the Federal grantor agency in determining the
total amount of the grant.
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M
TN17JN94.048
[FR Doc. 94-14174 Filed 6-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-C
