I
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Communications,
Education, and Media Relations
(1704)
EPA-171-F-00-001
March 2000
1 Grants
1 Environmental Education Grants Program
Introduction
The Environmental Education Grants Program was
established under Section 6 of the National Environmental
Education Act of 1990. The goal of the program is to
support environmental education (EE) projects that enhance
;;• the public's awareness, knowledge, and skills to make
informed and responsible decisions that affect environmental
quality. To be considered EE, a project must enhance
critical-thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision-
/.; making skills, as well as teach individuals to weigh various
sides of an environmental issue to make informed and
responsible decisions. Environmental education does not
advocate a particular viewpoint or course of action.
Project Funding
Since fiscal year (FY) 1992, Congress has annually
appropriated between $2 and $3 million to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
award EE grants. The competition for EE grants is considerable, and 200 to 225 grantees are
selected annually from among more than 1,300 applications received. Grants are awarded by
either EPA Headquarters or regional offices as determined by the cost of the grant.
EPA's current educational priorities are for projects that:
(1) build state/local capacity to deliver
environmental education programs
(2) use EE to advance state/local education
reform goals
(3) educate the public through community-based
organizations
(4) educate teachers, health professionals,
community leaders, and the public about human
health threats from pollution, especially as it
affects children
(5) improve teaching skills
(6) promote environmental careers
(7) educate low-income or culturally diverse
audiences about environmental issues
EPA Headquarters will fund category 1 -3 projects.
The regions may fund all of the above types of projects.
Grants of $25,000 or less are awarded by
EPA's ten regional offices and these grants
make up the vast majority of grants issued.
As mandated by Congress, a significant
number of grants must be awarded by the
regions for small projects that cost $5,000 or
less. Grants for more than $25,000 are
awarded by EPA Headquarters in
Washington, D.C. and 9 to 12 are usually
issued each year. Grants issued by
Headquarters are usually for between $35,000
and $125,000.
Matching Funds
Grantees must provide non-Federal matching
funds of at least 25% of the total cost of the
grant project. The match may be provided by
the grant applicant or by a partner organiza-
tion. The match may be cash or in-kind
contributions, such as salaries paid to the
project managers and equipment purchased
for the project.
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Eligible Organizations
Colleges and universities, local and tribal education
agencies, state education or environmental agencies,
not-for-profit organizations, and non-commercial
educational broadcasting entities are eligible to apply
for funds under the program. Grantees are located in all
50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico
and other U.S. Territories.
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Annual grant schedule: II
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Solicitation Notice -
Applications due -
Evaluation process -
Grants awarded -
Projects implemented
August or September
Mid-November
December - April
May - June
- July at the earliest
Solicitation Notice
Each year EPA issues a "Solicitation Notice" that
describes the application procedures and grant priorities
for that year and contains all the necessary application
forms. The educational priorities for the past annual
cycle are listed on the previous page. The Solicitation
Notice is published in the Federal Register, which is
available in many local public libraries. The solicitation,
grant writing tips, and other EE grant information
including descriptions of grants issued by state, can be
obtained at the World Wide Web site identified below.
Evaluation Process
Grant applications are evaluated in a two-step process
which usually involves participation by EE experts
outside of EPA at the first level of review. In general,
the first ranking is done by non-federal reviewers from
schools, universities, state education agencies, and not-
for-profit organizations. Often, the evaluation process
also includes reviewers from other federal agencies.
The second level of review is conducted by EPA, and
the factors listed below may be considered prior
to the awards being approved by EPAs Regional
Administrators or by Headquarters.
Factors considered in making final
selections include:
• cost-effectiveness
• effectiveness of collaboration and
partnerships
• environmental or educational
importance of the project
• effectiveness of delivery
• geographic distribution of projects
For additional information, visit the World Wide Web at
http: //www. epa.gov/enviroed
Or contact Diane Berger or Sherijojokian at:
(202) 260-8619
E-mail: berger.diane@epa.gov orjojokian.sheri@epa.gov
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