Your guide to the EPA FY25 Brownfield Grant Application
The leaves are changing, a chill is in the air, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back… but these aren’t the most exciting elements of autumn. For us, it is the return of the annual EPA Brownfield Grant application period!
EPA anticipates awarding more than $230 million in ARC grants in fiscal year 2025. These grants will assist communities with the Assessment and Cleanup of brownfields, and provide Revolving Loan Funds. The deadline for application is November 14, 2024. Below you will find articles, webinars and resources to help you craft a winning grant application.
Grant Review Services:
CCLR provides free review of EPA grant applications in Regions 9 and 10. Last year, 75% of the applications we reviewed were awarded, securing $14 million in funding across EPA Regions 9 and 10!
Once your draft is ready for review, email it in Microsoft word (doc/docx) format, named APPLICANT NAME_STATE_GRANT TYPE_Review Request. (Exp. City of Whoville_OR_Cleanup_Review Request) to [email protected] by Friday, November 1st.
Consultants: If you are sending CCLR an application on behalf of an applicant, please ensure that you include the applicant’s contact information and cc the applicant in your email.
We aim to turn around reviews within a week. All applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. Submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is reviewed.
Changes from FY24
EPA has made some changes to eligibility and spend down requirements for assessment and cleanup grants:
FY 2025 Assessment Coalition Grants
- Assessment Coalitions must have at least one non-lead member that has never been awarded a Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, or Cleanup (MARC) Grant.
- Entities with an open Brownfields MARC Grant are eligible to be a non-lead coalition member, but must demonstrate that they have drawn down 70% of the funding for the open grant (s).
- Applicants may still include eligible community-based nonprofit organizations as non-lead members, but this is no longer required for the Narrative response to be evaluated more favorably.
FY 2025 Community-wide Assessment Grants for States and Tribes (CWAGST)
- Current CWAGST recipients are required to demonstrate that they have drawn down and disbursed at least 60% of the funding
FY 2025 Cleanup Grants
- There is a new option under the threshold criteria for applicants to demonstrate eligibility for a site with hazardous building material (e.g., asbestos, lead-based paint) that has not been released into the outdoor environment. If the brownfield site has a hazardous substance contained in the building materials (e.g., insulation, flooring, caulk, etc.) and the hazardous substance has not been released (and there is no threat of release) into the outdoor environment (i.e., air, groundwater, land surface, etc.), then CERCLA § 107 liability may not apply. The site is eligible for funding, provided all other site eligibility requirements are met. Additional information will be made available in the FY25 Cleanup Grant guidelines and FY25 FAQs. Please reach out to your Regional Brownfields Contact for questions on site eligibility.
EPA Resources
Find guidelines and pre-recorded videos on grant requirements here.
Upcoming Trainings
EPA Webinars:
- Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 12 PM ET – This webinar will focus on the FY 2025 Narrative/Ranking criteria for entities applying for:
- Community-wide Assessment Grant funding
- Assessment Coalition Grant funding
- Community-wide Assessment Grants for States and Tribes funding
Join the webinar at https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1610639674 or by telephone at 1-646-828-7666, Meeting ID: 161 063 9674
- Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 12 PM ET – This webinar will focus on the FY 2025 Narrative/Ranking criteria for entities applying for:
- Revolving Loan Fund Grant funding
- Cleanup Grant funding
Join the webinar at https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1614022736 or by telephone at 1-646-828-7666, Meeting ID: 161 402 2736
CCLR Resources
Article: Tips for Getting Started NOW on FY25 EPA Brownfields Grants
Webinar: Mr. Cleanup Grant: Practical Tips for EPA CLeanup Grant Success Recording | Slides
