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 2020 Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice
The FY 2020 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program Solicitation Notice is now available at https://www.epa.gov/
The primary outcome expected from Exchange Network (EN) assistance agreements is improved access to, and exchange of, high-quality environmental data from public and private sector sources. With this outcome in mind, an application’s project goals and outputs should align with and support one or more EN program priorities. Applicants are also highly encouraged to review the new FY20 Solicitation Notice in full, as updates have been made throughout the document. Applicants should also note that optional templates for the cover letter, project narrative, and budget narrative have been provided in the appendices.
In FY 2020, EPA expects to award over $8 million for 20-30 assistance agreements for EN projects. Most awards will be in the $50,000 to $300,000 range. Awards for an individual assistance agreements cannot exceed $200,000. EPA may make a limited number of awards to qualifying collaborative, partnership assistance agreements, with project budgets of $400,000 or less. The exact number of assistance agreements will depend on the final amount of EPA’s appropriation for the EN grant program, the number of applications submitted to EPA by the application deadline, the budget amounts requested, and the outcome of application reviews.
EPA only accepts project proposals for EN assistance agreements submitted electronically through Grants.gov, unless applicants have a waiver. EPA anticipates that it will announce selection decisions in or around August 2020, and tentatively plans to issue awards by September 30, 2020.
EN Grant Webinars
In support of the FY 2020 Exchange Network (EN) Grant cycle, the EPA hosted four webinars to assist interested applicants. Each webinar included the same presentation on the following topics: a brief overview of the EN Grants Program and FY 2020 timeline, critical elements of the Solicitation Notice, notable changes from FY 2019, an overview of new guidance materials and optional templates, and common mistakes to avoid. Please visit the EPA Exchange Network website for a PDF version of the slide deck presented during EPA’s Solicitation Notice webinar series, an audio recording of one of the webinar presentations, an FAQ document which captures all of the questions asked by applicants during this grant cycle, and various other resources pulled from the solicitation notice, including optional templates and application submission guidance.
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
