Event: Webinar on Competition Process
In a comprehensive session held on March 28, 2023, Elizabeth January, a representative from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), guided participants through the process of finding and applying for EPA grants, specifically focusing on the Environmental Education Local Grants Program.
The webinar began with a warm welcome from Ms. January, followed by an overview of the competitive process for EPA funding opportunity announcements. Participants were introduced to the Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) available on the EPA Grants website or www.grants.gov, where current grant solicitations are posted.
Applicants are advised to carefully review each NOFO to understand the specific instructions, eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines. The EPA offers resources like application checklists, budget templates, logic models, work plan templates, timelines, and community descriptions to help structure the proposal.
Preparing a competitive application involves addressing how the project meets grant criteria, including environmental education goals, budget justification, timeline, and community impact. Applicants must complete standard federal forms, including the SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance).
Submitting applications electronically is done through www.grants.gov. The EPA offers video tutorials on how to apply through this portal, and grants.gov has validation and tracking tools to confirm successful submission.
The webinar also covered common pitfalls and tips for crafting compelling proposals. Ms. January answered attendee questions, providing additional information on the recent IIJA and IRA. She also reviewed next steps for applicants who have been either selected or denied.
Ms. January emphasized the importance of utilizing EPA’s instructional materials and webinars for guidance. The recorded webinar, along with accompanying materials (PowerPoints, FAQs), is available online for applicants’ reference.
Two helpful documents are available: "Helpful Links (pdf)" and "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (pdf)". Webinar materials, including a Competition Process PDF, are also available.
Moreover, Ms. January provided information on additional training opportunities for grant applicants and recipients. She also reviewed the "dos and don'ts" of communicating with EPA during the application process. Subscribing to the EPA Grants Update Listserv provides updates on future webinars and grant opportunities.
Lastly, this session contained resources for organizations interested in applying for an EPA grant, including points of contact for grant applicants. The webinar is designed to teach how to find and successfully apply for EPA grants, making it an invaluable resource for those seeking funding for environmental education projects.
[1] Note: For more detailed information, please refer to the archived webinar and accompanying materials available online.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) webinar offered valuable resources for learning about and applying for Environmental Education Local Grants, such as application checklists, budget templates, logic models, work plan templates, timelines, and community descriptions, making it an essential tool for those seeking education-and-self-development in this field.
- To further enhance one's understanding of the application process, online-education resources like video tutorials, FAQs, and recordings of past webinars are available on the EPA Grants website, providing a sustainable avenue for ongoing learning and self-improvement in the field of environmental education grants.
