Network Grants

Since FY 2002, EPA has supported implementation of the Exchange Network through the Exchange Network Grant Program, which provides funding for States, Territories, and Tribes. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/exchange-network-grant-program.

FY 2021 Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Exchange Network (EN) Grant Program Solicitation Notice (SN) has been published to Grants.gov and is available here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=331293. Applications are due to EPA by 11:59 PM Eastern Time, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Additional guidance tools, including optional fillable templates, are available for applicants both on Grants.gov and on the EPA Exchange Network website. Applicants are encouraged to review the new FY21 SN in full, as significant updates have been made since the FY20 version. Information on applicant webinars is listed below.

The purpose of Exchange Network (EN) grants are to foster better environmental management and decision-making through increased access to timely, high quality, environmental information. An applicant’s proposed project goals and outputs should align with one or more funding areas in the SN and EPA’s FY 2018-21 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness, Objective 3.4: ‘Streamline and Modernize’.

EPA expects to award 25-35 grants of up to $400,000 each, totaling approximately $8,000,000 in FY21. Most awards will be in the $50,000 to $200,000 range. The exact number of grants will depend on the number of applications submitted to EPA by the application deadline, the amounts of proposed project budgets, and the quality of proposals.

EPA only accepts project proposals for EN grants submitted electronically through Grants.gov, unless applicants have a waiver. EPA anticipates that it will announce selection decisions around August 2021, and tentatively plans to issue awards by September 30, 2021.

EN Grant Webinars

In support of the FY 2021 Exchange Network (EN) Grant cycle, U.S. EPA will host three webinars to assist interested applicants. The webinars will be held on February 22nd, February 25th, and March 8th. An additional webinar on March 1 will target applicants from Tribal governments. Each webinar will include the same presentation on the following topics: a brief overview of the EN Grants Program and FY 2021 timeline, critical elements of the Solicitation Notice, notable changes from FY 2020, an overview of new guidance materials and optional templates, and common mistakes to avoid. This will be followed by a question and answer session with participants. Please note that the sessions will end when all the participants’ questions have been addressed. 

Notes on Joining the Webinars:

  • Note: The webinars will be given through Microsoft Teams, which can be joined by clicking the links provided below. Please note these links are different for each webinar.
  • Note: To enter a meeting, click the appropriate link below; you will be prompted to ‘choose your video and audio options’. Select your audio preference (e.g. ‘computer audio’), ensure your camera is turned off, mute yourself, and then click ‘join meeting’.
    • During the call, you can unmute yourself to ask a question by clicking on the microphone icon (top of the screen).
    • Questions can also be typed into the TEAMS ‘Meeting Chat’.

Webinar Details and Connection Information (UPDATED on Feb 25, 2021):

  • Monday, February 22, 2021, 2:00 – 3:30pm ET
    • Completed
  • Thursday, February 25, 2021, 2:00 – 3:30pm ET
    • Completed
  • Monday, March 1, 2021, 3:00 – 4:30pm ET (For Tribal Applicants)
    • TEAMS Presentation Link (Recommended Format)- Click here to join the meeting
    • Dial-In Option (Audio Only) – Number:  1(202) 991-0477; Conf. ID: 859131039#
  • Monday, March 8, 2021, 11:00 – 12:30pm ET
    • TEAMS Presentation Link (Recommended Format)- Click here to join the meeting
    • Dial-In Option (Audio Only) Number: 1(202) 991-0477; Conf. ID: 99735969#

Please direct any questions to Erika Beasley, Exchange Network Grants Program Manager, at beasley.erika@epa.gov.

Although not mandatory, EPA would appreciate if you would pre-register for webinar sessions by sending an email to Shela Poke-Williams (Poke-williams.shela@epa.gov) indicating the session you plan to attend and listing the participant name(s), organization, and state, tribe, or territory. Please note that EPA will maintain these records internally and they will not be shared with any third parties.

Previous Grant Recipients

Information on previous Exchange Network grant awards is available at http://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/previous-exchange-network-grant-projects.

Contact

Erika Beasley
Exchange Network Grants Program Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202-566-2530
E: beasley.erika [at] epa.gov