EPA opens $20.8 million Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program
Announcement Type: Funding Opportunity Announcement (this program is accepting applications)
Opportunity: Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program
Overview and Eligible Uses:
Through this grant program, EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to assist in the development and utilization of innovative activities relating to workforce development and career opportunities in the water utility sector, which may include:
expanding the use and availability of activities and resources that relate to the recruitment, including the promotion of diversity within that recruitment, of individuals to careers in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector, including stormwater;
expanding the availability of training opportunities for (i) individuals entering the water and wastewater utility sector; and (ii) individuals seeking to advance careers within the water and wastewater utility sector;
expanding the use and availability of activities and strategies, including the development of innovative activities and strategies, that relate to the maintenance and retention of a sustainable workforce in the water and wastewater utility sector; and
expanding the availability of workforce development and training that enables drinking water and wastewater utility workers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other air pollutants to benefit disadvantaged communities.
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement
Award Amount: The estimated total award amount is $20.8 million. The award ceiling is $1 million with an expected 20 awards.
Eligible Applicants:
Eligibility for this opportunity differs by project area. For Project Areas 1-5, the eligible applicants are as follows:
nonprofit professional or service organizations,
nonprofit labor organizations,
nonprofit community colleges,
institutions of higher education, other nonprofit training, and educational institutions,
or public works departments and agencies
For Project Area 6, eligible applicants are as follows:
community-based nonprofit organizations (CBO);
a partnership of CBOs;
a partnership between a CBO and Federally recognized Indian Tribe, local government or institution of higher education.
Key Dates: The closing date for applications is November 17, 2023.
Key Links:
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.