EPA announces $1.25M RFP for Southeast New England Program
Eligible applicants: states, local governments, tribal entities, nonprofits, higher education institutions. Applications are due September 15, 2023
Announcement Type: Request for Proposal
Opportunity: Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Opportunity to Advance Resilience in Disadvantaged Communities (SOAR)
Overview and Eligible Uses: The mission of the SOAR Fund is to improve and support the resilience of disadvantaged communities throughout the SNEP region with meaningful community involvement as it relates to the design and implementation of projects to address the anticipated effects of climate change and the historic, long-term impacts of environmental and social injustices. Through this initiative, SNEP plans to fund a host of projects corresponding with the goals, objectives, and priorities outlined in SNEP’s Five-Year Strategic Plan.
Eligible project categories include:
Planning
Implementation
Outreach
Training
Capacity building/staffing
Because the SNEP-SOAR Fund is expected to be competed annually over the next four years and projects cannot be funded incrementally, prospective applicants might consider developing scalable projects. For example, an applicant could apply under this funding opportunity to fund a 1-year planning project, and in subsequent years apply under the future funding opportunity to fund an implementation project.
Any applicant not funded is encouraged to schedule a meeting with SNEP Team to review feedback provided by the review panel to gain further insight for improving project ideas for future reapplications.
Amount: In 2023, EPA expects to award five to ten cooperative agreements for activities under this RFP in amounts most likely ranging from $50,000 to $300,000. The total estimated funding available for cumulative awards under this competitive opportunity is $1,250,000.
The intent is to fund a range of project proposals, which could include up to three $300,000 projects with the remaining funds allocated to smaller awards.
The SNEP-SOAR Fund intends to compete up to $1,250,000 plus any remaining unused funds from the past year prior, if available, each year for the next four years.
SOAR-funded projects will be funded in full, no incremental awards will be provided via this funding opportunity.
Award Type: Cooperative Agreements
Eligible Applicants: Eligible entities include state, local and tribal governments, public and private universities and colleges, public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations (including institutions of higher education such as community colleges, and philanthropic organizations), interstate agencies, and Intertribal Consortia. Hospitals operated by state, tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit at 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 are also eligible to apply as nonprofits or as instrumentalities of the unit of government depending on the applicable law.
Key Dates: SNEP will be hosting an informational webinar on August 16, 2023 at 11 a.m. Information is available on the SNEP funding and technical assistance website. September 1, 2023 is the last day to ask questions (by email to SECoastalNE@epa.gov).
The RFP closing data and application deadline is September 15, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET, and funds are anticipated to be awarded in Winter 2023/2024 (date TBD).
Key Links:
EPA, Funding and Technical Assistance for the Southeast New England Program
For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.
This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.