[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 150 (Friday, August 4, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39994-40004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18991]
[[Page 39993]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part II
Environmental Protection Agency
_______________________________________________________________________
Fiscal Year 1996 Environmental Education Grants Program; Solicitation
Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 150 / Friday, August 4, 1995 /
Notices
[[Page 39994]]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5268-2]
Fiscal Year 1996 Environmental Education Grants Program;
Solicitation Notice
Section I. Important Pre-Application Information
A. What is the purpose of this solicitation notice?
This notice solicits grant pre-applications from education
institutions, public agencies, and non-profit organizations to support
environmental education projects as defined in this notice.
B. What is the Environmental Education Grants Program? How much
money is available for this program?
The Environmental Education Grants Program provides financial
support for projects which design, demonstrate, or disseminate
environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. This program
is authorized under Section 6 of the National Environmental Education
Act of 1990 (the Act) (P.L. 101-619). Congress has appropriated
approximately $11 million for this grants program over the past four
years (between $2.5 and $2.9 million per year from FY 1992 through FY
1995). EPA headquarters awards approximately $1 million in grant funds
per year and each of EPA's ten regional offices award approximately
$150,000 to $180,000 per year. EPA expects funding in FY 1996 to be
about the same as in the past and will award grants subject to the
amount of funds appropriated by Congress.
C. What is environmental education?
The goal of environmental education is to increase public awareness
and knowledge about environmental issues, and to provide the public
with the skills needed to make informed decisions and to take
responsible actions. Environmental education enhances critical-
thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision-making skills. It
also teaches individuals to weigh various sides of an environmental
issue to make informed and responsible decisions.
D. When is my pre-application due to EPA and when will EPA announce
the grant awards?
Pre-applications (a signed original plus two copies) must be mailed
to EPA postmarked no later than Friday, October 13, 1995. Pre-
applications which are postmarked after October 13, 1995 will not be
considered for funding. EPA expects to announce the 1996 grant awards
in the Spring of 1996.
E. 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 must be
mailed to the EPA regional office where the project takes 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 amount of money awarded.
F. Where do I get the information and forms needed to prepare my
pre-application?
Please read this solicitation notice carefully; it 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 needed to process
your pre-application.
G. How much money can I request for my grant project? How does the
dollar amount requested affect my chance of being funded?
Applicants may request up to $250,000 in environmental education
grant funds for any one grant. However, pre-applications which request
relatively small amounts of funding, especially for $5,000 or less,
have a much better chance of being funded because EPA awards a much
greater number of grants at lower funding levels. In fact, your chance
of being funded increases dramatically as the amount of money you
request decreases. A significant number of smaller awards are made for
the following reasons. First, EPA is required, under Section 6(i) of
the Act, to award 25% of the total amount of our grant funds for
projects which request $5,000 or less. For each EPA region, this means
that 50% of the regional grant funds each year are designated for
grants of $5,000 or less. Second, EPA chooses to award only a few large
grants (e.g., those submitted to headquarters which request over
$100,000) to enable EPA to support more projects.
EPA has awarded grants under the Environmental Education Grants
Program from FY 1992 through FY 1995. Individual awards have ranged
from less than $5,000 up to $250,000. Since FY 1992, EPA has funded
only about 10 proposals annually for projects requesting between
$25,001 and $250,000, and 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,
and about 200 proposals annually for projects requesting $5,000 or
less. EPA has received between 1,200 and 3,000 pre-applications each
year. To increase your chance of obtaining funding in FY 1996, 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. Eligible Applicants
H. Who is eligible to submit pre-applications?
Any local or tribal government education agency, state government
education or environmental agency, college or university, 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 Part 47.105.
I. May an organization submit more than one pre-application in FY
1996?
Yes, an organization may submit more than one pre-application, but
only if the pre-applications are 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 1996 even if I
have been awarded funding under this program in the past four years?
Yes, applicants who were awarded funding previously may submit a
pre-application for FY 1996. The FY 1996 pre-application may or may not
have any relationship to the project funded in a previous year. Each
pre-application for FY 1996 will be evaluated based upon the specific
criteria set forth in this solicitation and in relation to the other
pre-applications.
K. May a teacher, educator, or faculty member apply?
A teacher's school district, an educator's nonprofit organization,
or a faculty member's college or university may apply, but an
individual teacher, educator, or faculty member cannot. Only agencies,
organizations, and institutions--not individuals--are eligible to apply
for grants.
[[Page 39995]]
Section III. Eligible Activities and Funding Priorities
L. What general activities are eligible for funding under this
program?
As specified under the Act, the environmental education activities
that are eligible for funding under this program must include, but are
not limited to, at least one of the following:
1. designing, demonstrating, or disseminating environmental
curricula;
2. assessing environmental and ecological conditions or specific
environmental issues or problems;
3. training or educating teachers, faculty, or related personnel;
or
4. fostering international cooperation in addressing environmental
issues and problems in the United States, Canada, and/or Mexico.
Under Section III.L.1. above, EPA strongly encourages applicants to
demonstrate or disseminate existing environmental curricula rather than
designing new curricula because experts indicate that a significant
amount of quality curricula have already been developed and are under-
utilized. EPA will consider funding new curricula only where the
applicant demonstrates that there is a need (e.g., that the new
curriculum has not been designed for a certain audience, existing
curricula cannot be adapted well to a particular local environmental
concern, or existing curricula are not otherwise accessible). The
applicant must specify what steps they have taken to determine this
need (e.g., you may cite a conference where this need was discussed,
the results of inquiries made within your community or with various
educational institutions, or a research or other published 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.
Under Section III.M.4. above, EPA will not fund construction
activities such as the acquisition of real property (e.g., 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
environmental education project, and the cost is a relatively small
percentage of the total amount of federal funds requested.
Under Section III.M.4. above, EPA will fund only environmental
education projects, NOT projects that are solely designed to develop or
disseminate environmental information. As discussed under Section I.C.
above, environmental education teaches critical-thinking, problem-
solving skills, and decision-making skills. By contrast, 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 any educational effort, environmental information is not, by
itself, environmental education. In other words, environmental
education teaches people how to think, not what to think.
N. What specific type of projects will EPA fund?
EPA will fund only those proposals which meet the criteria
specified under #1 and #2 below. Proposals which do not meet these
criteria will not be funded.
1. As specified under the Act, all proposals MUST discuss how the
proposed project:
a. is new or significantly improved;
b. has the potential for wide application; AND
c. addresses a high priority environmental issue.
Applicants must define ``new or significantly improved,'' ``wide
application,'' and ``high priority environmental issue'' as they relate
to each individual project. For example, a project may be new or
significantly improved if it reaches a specific community for the first
time, develops a new or improved teaching strategy, or uses a new or
improved method of applying existing materials. Similarly, a project
may have wide application if it targets a large and diverse audience in
terms of numbers or demographics or if it can serve as a model program
elsewhere. Finally, a project may address a high priority environmental
issue if the applicant demonstrates its importance to the community,
state, or region being targeted by the project (e.g., one community may
have significant air pollution problems which makes teaching about
human health affects from and solutions to air pollution important,
while rapid development in another community may threaten a nearby
wildlife habitat, thus, making habitat or ecosystem protection a high
priority issue).
2. All proposals MUST also focus on ONE of the following:
a. improving environmental education teaching skills for teachers,
faculty, and other nonformal educators (e.g., through workshops);
b. educating teachers, students, or the public about human health
problems from environmental pollution;
c. building state, local, or tribal capacity to develop and deliver
environmental education programs;
d. promoting environmental careers among students;
e. educating members of a community through a community-based
organization; OR
f. educating the general public to be more environmentally
conscious in making informed decisions and taking responsible actions
through print, film, broadcast, or other media.
All proposals MUST clearly identify which of the above the proposal
will focus on. You will NOT increase your chances of being funded by
focusing on more than one of the above. The terms used under Section
III.N.2.a-f. are defined below.
The term workshop refers to training activities that prepare
educators to utilize environmental education materials. Workshops may
be directed toward young people and/or adults in formal and/or informal
settings. (A formal setting is a school, college, university, or other
similar institution devoted to learning; an informal setting may
include a museum, nature center, park, or community center which may
not be devoted to learning but often includes such activities).
Workshops should emphasize a process, problem-solving, and
investigative approach to learning, and use a ``hands-on'' approach to
learning that leads to the development of problem-solving and critical-
thinking skills.
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. This 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
(e.g., State Departments of Education or Natural Resources, local
school districts, and state, local, and tribal environmental education
coordinating councils). Examples of how to build state, local, or
tribal capacity include the development of plans for:
identifying and assessing needs as well as setting
priorities;
creating grant programs or identifying funding sources for
environmental education providers; and/or
identifying environmental education teacher training
needs.
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The term community-based organization refers to organizations in
which local problems are addressed by individuals who reside in the
community being served.
Section IV. The Pre-Application
O. What is a pre-application?
The pre-application contains three parts: (1) The ``Application for
Federal Assistance'' (Standard Form 424 (or SF 424, attached)), (2) the
``Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs'' (Standard Form 424A
(or 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 completed work plan contain all the information EPA
will use to evaluate the merits of your pre-application. Only finalists
will be asked to submit additional forms needed to process your pre-
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 another 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. The value of in-kind
contributions must be carefully documented. All grants are subject to
audit.
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 itemized in
Block 15 of the SF 424.
Q. Can I use federal funds in addition to those provided by this
program to support the same project?
Yes, you may use federal funds in addition to those provided by
this program, but only for different activities. However, you may not
use any federal funds to meet all or any part of the required 25% match
as stated in Section IV.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, and indirect charges)?
Yes, you may request funding for any or all of the budget
categories identified above with the following exceptions. First, as
indicated under Section III.M.1. above, EPA will not fund the
acquisition of real property (including buildings) or the construction
or modification of any building.
Second, you may request funds to pay for salaries and fringe
benefits, but only for those personnel who are directly involved in
implementing the proposed project and whose salaries and fringe
benefits are directly related to specific products or outcomes of the
proposed project. EPA strongly encourages applicants to request
reasonable amounts of funding for salaries and fringe benefits. 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 be included in the pre-application?
The pre-application must contain an SF 424, SF 424A, and work plan
as described below:
1. Application for Federal Assistance and Budget Information (SF
424 and SF 424A). The SF 424 and SF 424A are required for all federal
grants. A completed SF 424 and SF 424A must be submitted as part of
your pre-application. These forms, along with instructions and samples,
are included at the end of this notice. Please carefully review the
instructions and the sample. Refer to Section IV.R. above for
information on what types of budget categories can and cannot be funded
under this program.
2. Work Plan. A work plan describes your proposed project. The
total number of points possible for each proposal is 100. These points
will be distributed as follows. First, each of the following four
sections of the work plan are assigned points which add up to 90.
(Certain sections are given more points than others reflecting the
relative importance of each section). Second, reviewers will be given
the flexibility to provide up to 10 additional points for exceptional
projects based upon the overall quality of the proposal. All criteria
used to provide these 10 additional points will be consistent with the
criteria established in the solicitation.
All work plans must include and be formatted according all four
sections (a-d) below:
a. Project Summary: Provide EPA with an overview of your entire
project. The summary must be no more than one page and must briefly
include all seven of the following:
(1) Describe your organization (and your key partners);
(2) State the goals and specific objectives of your project;
(3) Identify what type of project you will focus on as described
under Section III.N.2.a-f. (e.g., teacher training or community-based
education);
(4) Describe the demographics of your target audience (including
the total number of direct participants, ethnic composition, and type
of individuals reached such as teachers, students, or the general
public).
(5) Indicate how you will reach your target audience;
(6) Describe the expected results of your project and how you will
evaluate it; and
(7) Indicate what types of activities the EPA funds will be used
for.
The project summary will be scored on how well you provide an
overview of your entire project based upon the seven subsections
identified above.
Project Summary Maximum Score: 5 points
b. Project Description: Provide EPA with an explanation of how your
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 III.N.1.a, b, and c.
This subsection will be scored on how well you 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) educates about human health problems from pollution; (c) builds
state, local, or tribal capacity; (d) promotes environmental careers;
(e) educates a community through a community-based organization; OR (f)
educates the general public as described under Section III.N.2.a-f.
This subsection will be scored on how clearly and effectively your
project (a)
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establishes realistic goals and objectives, (b) identifies its target
audience and demonstrates an understanding of the needs of that
audience, (c) uses an effective means or delivery system for reaching
the target audience/implementing the project, and (d) demonstrates that
it uses or produces quality educational products or methods which teach
critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Subsection maximum score: 40 points (10 points for each of the four
elements identified in this paragraph)
Project Description Maximum Score: 55 points
c. Project Evaluation: Provide EPA with an explanation of how you
will determine or measure whether you are meeting the goals and
objectives of your project. Evaluation plans may be quantitative and/or
qualitative and may include, for example, surveys, observation, or
outside consultation.
The project evaluation will be scored on the extent to which (a)
your evaluation plan will measure the project's effectiveness and (b)
you plan to apply data gathered from your evaluation to strengthen your
project.
Project Evaluation Maximum Score: 10 points (5 points for each of the
two elements identified above)
d. Appendices: Provide EPA with a detailed budget, resumes of key
personnel, and letters of commitment. No other appendices or
attachments such as video tapes or sample curricula may be submitted.
(1) Budget: Describe how you will use the funds for personnel/
salaries, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contract costs,
and indirect costs. You must also include a table which lists each
major proposed activity as well as the month and year it will be
completed and the amount of EPA funds that will be spent on each
activity. For smaller grants, your table may list only one or two
activities.
This subsection will be scored on (a) how well the budget
information clearly and accurately shows how funds will be used, and
(b) whether the funding request is reasonable given the activities
proposed. Subsection maximum score: 10 points (5 points for each of the
two elements identified in this paragraph).
(2) Key Personnel and Letters of Commitment: Attach one or two page
resumes for up to three key personnel implementing the project. Also,
include one page letters of commitment from partners (if there are
partners) with a significant role in the proposed project. Do not
include letters of support; they will not be considered in evaluating
pre-applications.
This subsection will be scored based upon whether resumes of key
personnel are included and whether 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
T. What are the page limits for the work plan?
Your work plan may include the following number of pages for
requests in federal funds of:
1. $5,000 or less--EPA prefers a work plan of 3 pages, but will
accept up to 5 pages.
2. $5,001 up to $250,000--a work plan of up to 10 pages.
These page limits apply only to the work plan (i.e., the
``summary,'' ``project description,'' and ``project evaluation''), not
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.
U. How must the pre-application be submitted?
The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the pre-
application (a signed SF 424, an SF 424A, and a work plan). Please
submit ONLY the SF 424, the SF 424A, and the work plan. Do not include
other attachments such as cover letters, tables of contents, or
appendices other than those required (budget, resumes, letters of
commitment). The SF 424 should be the first page of your pre-
application and must be signed by a person authorized to receive funds.
Pre-applications must be reproducible; they should not be bound. They
should be stapled or clipped once in the upper left hand corner, on
white paper, and with page numbers in the upper right hand corner.
V. What regulations must I comply with in submitting my proposal?
The Environmental Education Grant Program Regulations, published in
the Federal Register on March 9, 1992, provides some additional
information on EPA's administration this program (57 Federal Register
8390; Title 40 CFR, Part 47 or 40 CFR Part 47). Also, EPA's general
assistance regulations at 40 CFR Part 31 applies to state, local, and
Indian tribal governments and 40 CFR Part 30 applies to all other
applicants such as nonprofit organizations.
Section V. Review and Selection Process
W. 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 meet the basic
requirements of this notice, especially as described under Sections II
and III. Only those pre-applications which meet all of the basic
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 III.N.1 and
2. 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 score each applicant's work plan based upon the
scoring system identified in Section IV.S.2.
X. How will the final selections be made?
After individual projects are evaluated and scored by the reviewers
as described under Section V.W. above, EPA officials in the regions and
at headquarters will identify finalists among the highest ranking pre-
applications. In making final selections, EPA's goal is to fund diverse
types of projects that take into account, but are not limited to, the
following:
1. the geographic location of the project;
2. the type of environmental problem or issue addressed;
3. the type of target audience and their socioeconomic status;
4. the methods used to reach the target audience;
5. the type of organization submitting the proposal and/or whether
the proposal makes effective use of partnerships; and
6. the cost.
In reference to socioeconomic status, under Section V.X.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
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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
V.X.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
V.X.4. above, EPA's goal is to encourage applicants to submit proposals
which use pollution prevention concepts or techniques to address a high
priority environmental issue (as discussed under Section III.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 EPA's preferred approach to reduce risk to
public health and the environment. 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.
Y. How and when will I be notified about the status of my proposal?
Applicants will receive a confirmation that EPA has received their
pre-application once EPA has received all pre-applications and entered
them into a computerized data base (in the winter of 1995-1996). EPA
will notify applicants again after awards have been announced (in the
spring of 1996). To the extent possible, this notification will include
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.
Z. Where may I obtain more information on possible sources of
funding other than this program?
The large number of pre-applications EPA received in the past four
years demonstrates the strong demand for funding environmental
education projects. Unfortunately, EPA alone cannot meet this demand.
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 VI. Grant Recipient Activities
AA. When can I begin incurring costs?
Grant recipients may begin incurring costs on the start date
identified in your EPA grant agreement. Since EPA plans to announce
awards in the spring of 1996, EPA recommends that you do not plan to
begin incurring costs until June of 1996.
BB. May an applicant request Fiscal Year 1996 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.
CC. 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.
DD. What reports and work products must grant recipients submit to
EPA and when are they due?
All grant recipients must submit two copies of their final report
and two 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 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 semi-annual progress report. Specific report requirements will
be identified in the EPA award agreement.
EE. What does EPA plan to do with the grant recipients' final
reports and final work products?
EPA hopes to assemble a central library of all final reports and
work products at headquarters in Washington, D.C. EPA plans to evaluate
these final reports and work products and may disseminate them to
others to serve as model programs.
Section VII. Additional Information on Preparing Pre-Applications and
for the FY 1997 Program
FF. 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
[[Page 39999]]
and what activities can be funded under this program, are answered in
this solicitation. Applicants who need more information about this
grant program or clarification about specific requirements in this
solicitation notice, may contact the EPA Environmental Education
Division in Washington, D.C. 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. Information about the grants program is also
available on the Internet. You can view and download this solicitation
notice, a list of EPA environmental education contacts, and
descriptions of past projects funded under this program from:
Gopher: ``nceet.snre.umich.edu'' (in the ``Grants'' directory'') or
from
World Wide Web: ``http://www.nceet.snre.umich.edu/grant.html''
In addition, 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 during the past four years. 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.
GG. How can I get information on the Fiscal Year 1997 EPA
Environmental Education Grants Program?
EPA develops an entirely new mailing list for the grants program
each year. The Fiscal Year 1997 mailing list will include all
applicants who submitted pre-applications for Fiscal Year 1996 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 1996 and
you wish to be added to our mailing list to receive information on the
Fiscal Year 1997 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),
Environmental Education Grants Program (FY 1997), 401 M Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20460.
Approved By:
Denise Graveline,
Acting 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), Office of Communications, Education, and
Public Affairs, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460
Information: George Walker or Kathleen MacKinnon, Environmental
Education Specialists, 202-260-8619
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
Burrell, Chief, Grants Information and Mgnt 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, EE 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, 290 Broadway, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10007-
1866
Information: Teresa Ippolito, EE Coordinator, 212-637-3671
EPA Region III--DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region III, Env Ed Grants,
Grants Management Section (3PM71), 841 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Information: EE Coordinator, 215-597-9076
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: Fred Thornburg, 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, EE 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, EE Coordinator, 214-665-2204
Region VII--IA, KS, MO, NE
Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region VII, Env Ed Grants,
Grants Administration Division, 726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City,
KS 66101
Information: Rowena Michaels, EE 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, EE Coordinator, 303-294-1113
Region IX--AZ, CA, HI, NV, American Somoa, Guam, Northern Marianas
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: Matt Gaffney, Office of Public Affairs, 415-744-1582
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, EE Coordinator, 206-553-1207
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Instructions for the SF-424
This is a standard form used by applicants as a required
factsheet 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) and applicant's control number (if applicable).
3. State use only (if applicable).
4. If this application is to continue to 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.
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.)
Additional Instructions for the SF-424
Block #6: You can obtain this number from your payroll office.
It is the same Federal Identification Number which appears on W-2
forms. If your organization does not have a number, you may obtain
one by calling the Taxpayer Services number for the IRS.
Block #14: If your project covers many areas, several
congressional districts will be listed. If it covers the entire
state, simply put in statewide. If your are not sure about the
congressional district, call the County Voter Registration
Department.
Block #15: Line a is for the amount of money you are requesting
from EPA. Lines b-e are for the amounts either you or another
organization are providing for this project. Line f is for any
program income which you expect will be generated by this project.
Program income can be fees for services performed, income generated
from the sale of a brochure which was produced with the grant funds,
or admission fees to a conference financed by the grant funds. The
total of lines b-e must be at least 25% of line g, as this grant has
a match requirement of 25% of the TOTAL ALLOWABLE PROJECT COSTS.
Block #16: Check b, (NO) since your application does not have to
be sent through the state clearinghouse for review.
Block #18: The authorized representative is the person who is
able to contact or obligate your agency to the terms and conditions
of the grant. (Please sign with blue ink.)
Instructions for the SF-424A
Do not fill in Section A--Budget Summary.
Section B Budget Categories
All applications should contain a breakdown by the object class
categories shown in Lines a-k of Section B. Include both Federal and
non-Federal (matching) funds combined.
For each major program, function or activity, fill in the total
requirements for funds by object class categories. Most applications
will only have one program, function, or activity.
Line 6I--Show the totals of lines 6a through 6h in each column.
Line 6j--Show the amount of indirect cost (if applicable).
Line 6k--Enter the total of amounts on Lines 6i and 6j.
Program Income--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.
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